Types of Phrases

The white snow covered the houses. The underlined part is a/an:

• Noun phrase

• Verb phrase

• Adjective phrase

• Prepositional phrase

Answer explanation

A noun phrase consists of a noun and all its modifiers.

In this case, the noun phrase acts as the subject.

My sister is writing a new book. The underlined part is a/an:

• Adverb phrase

• Verb phrase

• Gerund phrase

• Prepositional phrase

Answer explanation

A verb phrase consists of a verb and all its modifiers.

My brother likes writing novels. The underlined part is a/an:

• Adverb phrase

• Verb phrase

• Gerund phrase

• Prepositional phrase

Answer explanation

A gerund phrase is simply a noun phrase that starts with a gerund.

He talked to us in a polite way.

• Adverb phrase

• Noun phrase

• Verb phrase

• Prepositional phrase

Answer explanation

An adverbial phrase modifies the verb or the adjective and works as an adverb in the sentence.

My daughter is a well-behaved girl.

• Adjective phrase

• Adverb phrase

• Noun phrase

• Prepositional phrase

I saw a rat under the sink.

• Prepositional phrase

• Noun phrase

• Adjective phrase

• Adverb phrase

Answer explanation

A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and can act as a noun, an adjective or an adverb.

Where is the participial phrase in this sentence?

The girl, sitting by herself, is the new student.

• the girl

• is the new

• new student

• sitting by herself

Where is the verb phrase in this sentence?

You may finish your homework tomorrow.

• You may

• finish your homework

• may finish

• homework tomorrow

Our principal is a man of great principles.

• Noun phrase

• Adjective phrase

• Adverb phrase

• None of these

Studying overnight did not improve his test scores.

• Adjective phrase

• Gerund phrase

• Adverb phrase

• Noun phrase

Answer explanation

A gerund phrase is simply a noun that starts with a gerund.