grammar - phrases

Predicate nominative (subject complement)

Noun or pronoun in the predicate that explains or identifies the subject of the sentence

Object

Complements that don’t refer to the subject

Predicate nominative ex 1

Termites are dangerous pests

Subject complement

Noun, pronoun, or adjective that follows a linking verb. It describes or explains the simple subject

Predicate adjective (subject complement)

Adjective in the predicate that modifies the subject of the sentence

Direct object

Noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb or shows the result of the action. It tells whom or what after an action verb.

Indirect object

Noun or pronoun that precedes the direct object and usually tells to whom or for whom (or to what or for what) the action of the verb is done.

Predicate adjective ex 1

The wind feels cold

Prepositional phrase

Group of words consisting of a preposition, a noun or pronoun that serves as the object of the preposition, and any modifiers of that object (including articles)

Prepositional phrase ex 1

In addition to you and me, six other people are coming

Prepositional phrase ex 2

When will she give the birthday present to him?

Adjective phrase

A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun

Adverb phrase

Prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb

Adjective phrase ex 1

The names of the contest winners will be announced tomorrow

Adverb phrase ex 1

The water is deeper on the far end

Verbals

Formed from verbs and may be modified by adverbs and may have complements. They’re not used as verbs but as other parts of speech

Participle (verbal)

Verb form that can be used as an adjective

Present participles

End in -ing (adjective)

Past participles

Usually end in -d or -ed. Others are irregularly formed

Participial phrase

Phrase containing a participle and any complements or modifiers it may have

Gerund

Verb form ending in -ing that is used as a noun

Gerund phrase

Contains a gerund and any modifiers or complements it may have

Infinitives

Verb form, usually preceded by to, that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb

Infinitive phrase

Consists of an infinitive together with its modifiers and complements

Infinitive clause

The infinitive, together with its subject, complements, and modifiers

Appositive

Noun or a pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it.

Appositive phrase

Made up of an appositive and its modifiers

Gerund phrase ex 1 (subject)

The loud roaring of the wind could be heard inside the cabin.

Gerund phrase ex 2 (predicate nominative)

His hobby is sending friends old postcards

Gerund ex 1 (subject)

Walking is good exercise

Participle ex 1

The divers discovered sunken treasure off the coast of Key Largo

Past participle ex 1

Her only son, grown and gone from home, visits her often

Present participle ex 1

The photographer took a picture of the laughing baby

Past participle ex 2

Please pass your completed test to the front of the room

Infinitive clause ex 1

Mom asked me to buy milk on my way home

Infinitive phrase ex 1

To find a job quickly is Rita’s goal

Infinitive ex 1

I had hoped to finish my story, but Isabel’s plan was to leave early

Appositive ex 1

Ariana DeBose, a talented actor, dancer, and singer, won an Academy Award for her performance in Ariana DeBose, a talented actor, dancer, and singer, won an Academy Award for her performance in West Side Story.

Appositive phrase ex 1

Joseph, star pitcher of our baseball team, sprained his wrist

Participial phrase

Phrase containing a participle and any complements or modifiers it may have

Participial phrase ex 1

Hiking in the Sierra Nevada, Paulo encountered a mountain lion