PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
(can be adverb phrase and adjective phrase)
A prepositional phrase is a group of words made up of a preposition and a noun or pronoun,
called the object of preposition.
EXECISE A. Underline the adverb phrase (PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE that functions as adverb) or adverb
phrases in each. Then draw an arrow from each phrase to the word it modifies.
Example: He quietly rapped upon the door.
Begin here:
1. The Pied Piper lured the children from the village.
2. Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth.
3. The crab was fairly safe inside its skeleton.
4. After the ceremony, the bride left with the groom.
5. The whale died in silent agony on the beach.
6. After the lecture, she spoke about her military experience.
7. In a flash, the mischievous child plucked all the flowers.
8. During the afternoon, the crowd drifted to the shady spots.
9. The editorial is rich in sarcasm.
10. When she worked at the foundry, she rose at dawn.
APPOSITIVE PHRASES
An appositive phrase is noun or pronoun with modifiers, placed next to a noun or
pronoun to add information and details.
Appositives and appositive phrases may follow nouns or pronouns in almost any role
within a sentence. The following examples show a few of the positions in which appositives may
be found.
WITH A SUBJECT: Ernest Hemingway, a famous author, wrote in a terse style.
WITH A DIRECT OBJECT: Eve wore high boots, the latest fad.
WITH AN INDIRECT OBJECT: I bought my brother, a boy of six, a pet turtle.
WITH AN OBJECT COMPLEMENT: I chose the color purple, an unusual color for a house.
WITH A PREDICATE NOMINATIVE: A porcupine’s best defense is its quills—sharp, barbed
spines.
WITH THE OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION: We store onions, potatoes, carrots, and apples in the
cellar, a cool, dry room.
DEVELOPING WRITING SKILLS: Using appositives and Appositive Phrases to combine
sentences. Direction: Turn each pair of sentences into a
single sentence with an appositive or appositive phrase.
1. The ostrich is a native of Africa and parts of Asia. The ostrich is the largest of all birds.
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2. Mrs. Gordon always kept a melodeon in her parlor. Her parlor was a room for special
guests.
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3. The restaurant serves lobster in a delicious Newburg sauce. Newburg sauce is a creamy
sauce with butter and wine.
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4. Marjorie is one of the most interesting people I know. She is a gourmet, an expert
ventriloquist, and a very good poet.
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5. Donny’s father is a neurologist. He is a specialist on the nervous system.
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INFINITIVES AND INFINITIVE PHRASES
An infinitive is a form of a verb that generally appears with the word to and acts as noun,
adjective or adverb.
INFINITIVES USED AS NOUN
SUBJECT: To understand required maturity and acceptance.
DIRECT OBJECT: Working hard at her new job, Brenda hoped to succeed.
PREDICATE NOMINATIVE: The hunter’s only defense against the bear was to run.
OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION: With his muscles tensed, the inexperienced parachuter was about
to jump.
INFINITIVES USED AS MODIFIERS
ADJECTIVE: The children showed willingness to cooperate.
ADVERB: They struggled to resist.
Some people are unable to adjust.
NOMINATIVE ABSOLUTES (ABSOLUTE PHRASES)
A nominative absolute is a noun or pronoun followed by a participle or participial phrase
that functions independently of the rest of the sentence.
Although a nominative absolute grammatically separates from the rest of the sentence,
it is still closely related because it indicates time, reason, or circumstance for the rest of the
sentence.
TIME: Three hours having passed, we could wait no longer.
REASON: His task completed, Andy asked for payment.
CIRCUMSTANCE: The car stopped, its tires sinking quickly.
RECOGNIZING NOMINATIVE ABSOLUTES. Underline the nominative absolute in each
sentence.
1. Her smile vanishing from her face, Julia listened in stunned silence.
2. Six huskies pulled the sled, its runners skimming over the ice.
3. The furnace broken, we huddled under the blankets throughout the cold night.
4. Several minutes having gone by, the bank teller finally pushed the alarm button.
5. A bonnet tied around her head, Lisa resembled a Puritan woman.
