Phrase and Clause

GMR 7a: Phrases and Clauses Exercise

Label the underlined group of words as (P) phrase, (DC) dependent clause, or (IC) independent clause.

Directions:

1. Planning her questions carefully, she was able to hold fast-paced and engaging interviews. 2. The athlete who placed first grew up in Argentina. 3. When I come home from school, my brand new kitten jumps all over me. 4. Known for her interviewing skills, she was asked to host her own radio program. 5. She received the gold medal because she performed flawlessly. 6. During her sophomore year of high school, she discovered what true tr ue friendship was. 7. Fearing a drought, all the farmers in the area used less irrigation water. 8. What the witness said may not be true. 9. Unable to reach a compromise, Teresa and Tad took separate vacations. 10. All the farmers in the area, recognizing the signs of drought, used less irrigation water. 11. We do not understand why they did it. 12. Although Ricky took driver’s education three t hree times before passing, he considered himself a good driver. 13. Farmers used less irrigation water, hoping to save water for later in the season. 14. Send the money to whoever needs it most. 15. The next day, they attended a concert at the park. 16. With great feeling, Martin Luther King expressed his dream of freedom.

EXERCISES ON THE FUNCTION OF PHRASES: State whether the highlighted phrases in these sentences function as a Subject, a Complement, an Object, a Predicate, an Adjective, OR an Adverb: 1. The projectionist dreamt that he chased an enormous gorillaaround the theater. 2. Justine hoped to attend the masquerade even though her guardian had forbidden such adventures. 3. The child dancing about the stage hopes to become a movie star. 4. The reporter consulted a number of published accountsbefore interviewing the senator. 5. The party was a dreadful failure because the caterers forgot to bring the tableware. 6. The guild is meeting to discuss the latest misdemeanors of the apprentices. 7. They heard high pitched cries in the middle of the night. 8. The reporter consulted a number of published accounts before interviewing the senator . 9. The bar was full of patiently waiting customers. 10. I was driven mad by the sound of my neighbor's constant piano practicing.

Exercises: State whether the following are a Clause or a Phrase. 1. I love to eat bagels 2. the big, bad wolf 3. they were thinking about the language issue 4. the student considering everything written on this subject 5. after the morning rush hour 6. because of the coat which I bought in the mall 7. when the train arrived at the station

Phrase Practice Exercise After completing the quiz, click on the "Are You Prepared?" button at the bottom of this page to see the answers.

Instructions: Identify the underlined phrase or clause. 1. Steven's book, which made Oprah's Book Club this month, is not in any store s. a. prepositional phrase

b. participial phrase

c. gerund phrase

d. infinitive phrase

2. While preparing for the speech , Joe couldn't help but worry about his entrance. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


3. Ahmad wants to visit Quebec , but he will need to wait for his next vacation. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


4. Hoping for a miracle , the doctors continued the surgery. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


5. Our boss supports donating time to charity . a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


6. Melanie hoped to find a cure for the disease, but she tried to be realistic. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


7. After the banquet , the cooks will take a well-deserved break. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


8. Joey is hoping for a change to play pool with his uncle. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


9. The dog that Sam chose from the litter seems to be healthy. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


10. Sam Smith, who recently spoke to the youth group, excels at motivating young people . a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


11. Pushed beyond endurance , the runner dropped the baton. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


12. The shoes he saw in the catalogue are available down the street . a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


13. The reporter crouched behind that tree got the best picture of the arrest. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


14. Keith tried supporting both teams , but his heart was with Oregon. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


15. Katrina, who resented being left at home, drew on the walls with her crayons . a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase

16. Arnold hoped to find an answer to the funding shortfall.


a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


17. Pressed for time , the agent ran the red light. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


18. His uncle thinks that working for the government is the key to stability. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


19. Richard's chance t o make his point slipped away. a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


20. Is it possible that Joshua will compete against that man ? a. prepositional phrase


c. gerund phrase


Question Excerpt From Identifying Phrases and Clauses Q.1)

When Barry was transferred to Kansas City, his company helped his wife to find a job there.

A.Clause B.Phrase

Q.2)

A hovercraft crosses a body of water on a cushion of air blown through jets in the underside of its hull.

A.Clause B.Phrase

The floor plan of the new house includes one Q.3) room labeled as an atrium and another called a mud room. A.Clause B.Phrase

Q.4)

The man gave the exam another shot after he failed to pass it the first time.

A.Clause B.Phrase

Q.5)

After knocking over the vase, the burglar decided it was time to run.

A.Clause B.Phrase

PHRASE AND CLAUSE

In this exercise, underline the prepositional phrase.

1. Both of the trolls lived under the bridge. 2. Some of the elves refused to help Santa make the toys. 3.One of the dragon's eggs cracked! 3.Two of the baby dragon's claws stuck through the shell. 4. Many of the ogres had blood dribbling down their chins. 5. Most of the knights who had come to slay the ogres had been devoured. 6. Either of the fairies could have been the one of evil repute. 7. None of the children had been switched at birth. 8. Most of the mothers hoped so, at least. 9. However, one of the babies had little wings.

In this exercise, underline the prepositional phrases. Above the prepositional phrase write whether it is an adverb or an adjective. Below the prepositional phrase write what it modifies.

adj. ...............................adv. FOR INSTANCE: THE AIR

OF MAGIC FILLED

THE NIGHT WITH

air..........................................night 1.The sorceress's bag of winds had been stolen by the sailor. 2. In the dark of the night the sailor sneaked away from the island. 3. The sailor opened the bag of winds. 4. One of the winds filled the sails. 5. Another of the winds blew open the sorceress's window.

BEAUTY .

6. A lamp of crystal fell and shattered, waking the sorceress. 7. The eyes of the sorceress's cat glowed red with anger. 8. The sorceress of unsurpassed kindness and power awoke. 9. The winds of the bag howled for the sorceress. 10. Most of the winds returned to sorceress. 11.The one remaining wind blew the sailor far from the island.

In this exercise, draw a line THROUGH the prepositional phrases; identify the subject; and identify the verb.

For instance: The windows of the room slammed shut. ................................S.............................V 1. A drawer of the bureau openned, and the winds folded themselves into the drawer. 2. The sorceress waved her hand, and all of the pieces of crystal reassembled into a lamp. 3. The cat with its burning eyes leaped onto the window sill and meowed. 4. "Yes," said the sorceress of the island, "let's go for a ride; the night is so beautiful." 5. The two of them exited the room. 6. Both of the magical creatures passed through the long corridors. 7. The two of them entered a vast chamber. 8. On the floor of the chamber lay a vast carpet. 9. On the other side of the room were french doors; these the sorceress unlocked. 10. "Which of you wants to ride me?" 11. In answer, the cat of gleaming, black fur jumped onto the carpet

12.The sorceress in her billowing gown also settled herself on the carpet. 13 "Both of you wish to go then?" 14. Neither the sorceress of the island nor the cat of burning eyes answered. 15. Taking this as a yes, the carpet of magic soared into the starry night 16. All of the stars brightened as the magic carpet flew past them. 17. Below the flying carpet, ships sailed on the sea. 18.The night of bright stars, pale moon, and glistening ocean waves was one of the most beautiful sorceress or cat had ever seen.

Exercise 7.3: Noun Phrases

1. Identify the subject and the predicate in each of the following sentences:

(a) Every evening this week, there will be a different movie.

(b) Running the race exhausted him.

(c) The boxes in the back room are to remain.

(d) That I am not pleased with the findings must be obvious.

(e) Last winter in Vancouver, it didn't snow.

(f) Ketchup on French fries I find disgusting.

2. Provide tree diagrams (phrase markers) for the following NPs.

(a) a white dress with a dropped waistline

(b) the east gate of the park

(c) those large paintings by Renoir

(d) the rather frightening bats up under the eaves

(e) a tall, bald man with a bushy moustache

(f)

a long vacation on the Caribbean island of Trinidad or Jamaica

(g) his most recent, very provocative novel

(h) your very much deserved success in your career

(i)

a very long and boring modern novel

(j)

the weather in Vancouver on any given day in winter

(k) the high wooden fence around our yard

(l)

a serious conversation with Sharon about her problems

Adjective Phrases Exercise I

Sometimes a group of words can does the work of an adjective. Read the sentences given below: a)

My grandfather was a wealthy man.

b)

My grandfather was a man of great wealth.

In sentence (a), the word wealthy modifies the noun man. It therefore does the work of an adjective. In sentence (b), the group of words of great wealth tells us what sort of a man my grandfather was. It qualifies the noun man just as an adjective does. A group of words which does the work of an adjective is called an adjective phrase. More examples are given below: The chief lived in a wooden house. (Adjective – wooden) The chief lived in a house built of wood. (Adjective phrase – built of wood) They belong to a hill tribe. (Adjective – hill) They belong to a tribe dwelling in the hills. (adjective phrase – dwelling in the hills)

Exercise In each of the following sentences replace the adjective in bold letters by an adjective phrase of the same meaning. 1.

The King wore a golden crown.

2.

It is a white elephant.

3.

He lived in a stone house.

4.

There was an earthen pot on the table.

5.

She wore a diamond necklace.

6.

Much has been said about the Swiss scenery.

7.

The Spanish flag flew at the top of the mast.

8.

That was a brave act.

9.

It was a horrible night.

10.

Heroic deeds are worthy of admiration.

11.

They went by Siberian railway.

12.

I have passed several sleepless nights.

Answers 1.

The King wore a crown made of gold.

2.

It was an elephant with a white skin.

3.

He lived in a house built of stone.

4.

There was a pot made of earth on the table.

5.

She wore a necklace made of diamond.

6.

Much has been said about the scenery of Switzerland.

7.

The flag of Spain flew at the top of the mast.

8.

That was an act of bravery.

9.

It was a night full of horror.

10.

Deeds of heroism are worthy of admiration.

11.

They went by the railway running through Siberia.

12.

I have passed several nights without sleep.

Identifying Verb Phrases Practice Exercise #1 Directions: In the following sentences, underline the subject of the sentence and double underline the complete verb phrase. Label the subject, helping verb(s), and main verb: s, hv, mv. s

hv mv

s

hv

hv

mv

Example: The horseback race has lasted eight hours. Perhaps the riders should have rested more. 1.

Chocolate has been loved for many centuries.

2.

I am not sure for how long exactly.

3.

Some people might store their chocolate in the refrigerator.

4.

Chocolate should be served at room temperature.

5.

You will like chocolate this way.

6.

Dark chocolate has been linked to a decreased risk of heart attacks.

7.

I shall rejoice in the progress of medical science.

8.

Serious chocolate lovers have recognized the benefits of chocolate for years.

9. I am craving dark chocolate now. 10.

I may need a chocolate fix soon.

Phrase and Clause

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