Kinds of Phrases

A phrase is...

• a group of words that function as one unit

• a group of words that has a subject and a verb

If the phrase functions as the subject, object, and/or complement in the sentence, what kind of phrase is present?

• Noun

• Adjective

• Adverb

If the phrase describes the noun or the pronoun in the sentence, what kind of phrase is present?

• Noun

• Adjective

• Adverb

If the phrase describes the verb in the sentence, what kind of phrase is present?

• Noun

• Adjective

• Adverb

What kind of phrase does the underlined phrases fall under?

The captain threw the bat and the ball out of frustration.

• Noun

• Adjective

• Adverb

Answer explanation

The underlined phrases are the subject and the object respectively.

What kind of phrase does the underlined phrases fall under?

The candidate spoke with overwhelming passion that everyone listened to what he was saying.

• Noun

• Adjective

• Adverb

Answer explanation

Describes how the candidate spoke. This is a prepositional phrase as an adverb phrase.

What kind of phrase does the underlined phrases fall under?

Her sparkling eyes reflected her joy and excitement.

• Noun

• Adjective

• Adverb

Answer explanation

The phrase describes her eyes.

Which of the following phrases has a Noun phrase?

• Getting a merit card is my goal for this term

• The castle stood tall on the hill.

• She handled the situation with calm and composure.

Answer explanation

The underlined phrase is an example of a Gerund Phrase, which is an -ing verb but does not function as a verb. Gerund phrases functions as a noun phrase.

Which of the following phrases IS NOT an adjective phrase?

• The house with the blue door is my childhood home.

• The restaurant by the beach offers breathtaking sunset views.

• The athlete finished the race with a burst of speed.

Answer explanation

This answer is an example of an adverb phrase, describing how the athlete finished the race.

Which is NOT true about a Noun Phrase

• Verbals such as Gerunds, appositives, and infinitives function as noun phrases in a sentence.

• The noun phrase is described by an adverb phrase.

• The noun phrase functions as either the subject, complement, or object in the sentence.