Phrase
A phrase is a group of words that does NOT contain both a subject and a verb
If there’s no subject + verb, it’s a phrase (not a clause)
Prepositional phrases
A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with its object.
The object of the preposition is never the subject
Verbal phrases
A verbal phrase is built around a verbal (a verb form acting as something else).
Participles
A participle is a verb form that acts as an adjective.
eg.The studying student passed.
The broken pencil snapped.
Gerunds
A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that acts as a noun
eg. Studying helps performance.
If you can replace it with “it” → gerund
Infinitives
An infinitive is to + verb and acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
eg. I plan to study tonight.
Appositive phrases
An appositive phrase renames or explains a noun.
eg. My brother, a nurse, works nights.
A noun explaining a noun
Essential appositive phrases
An essential appositive is necessary to identify the noun.
eg. The author Toni Morrison wrote many novels.
No commas
Nonessential appositive phrases
A nonessential appositive adds extra info
eg. Toni Morrison, a famous author, won awards.
Always uses commas
Absolute phrases
An absolute phrase modifies the entire sentence, not one word.
Often starts with a noun + participle
Usually followed by a comma
Declarative sentence
Makes a statement
eg. I studied for the test
Imperative sentence
Gives a command or a request
eg. Study carefully
Interrogative sentence
Asks a question
eg. Did you study?
Exclamatory sentence
Expresses strong emotion
eg. I passed the exam!
Ends with !
