Verbal Phrases

Distinguish the infinitive phrase in the following sentence: She likes to swim in the ocean.

• She likes

• swim in the ocean

• likes to swim

• to swim in the ocean

Answer explanation

The infinitive phrase in the sentence is 'to swim in the ocean.' It functions as the direct object of the verb 'likes.'

Recognize the participial phrase in the following sentence: The dog, barking loudly, chased the mailman down the street.

• barking loudly

• down the street

• The dog

• chased the mailman

Answer explanation

The participial phrase in the sentence is 'barking loudly' as it describes the action of the dog.

Recognize the participial phrase in the following sentence: The broken window, covered in frost, needed to be replaced.

• needed to be replaced

• covered in frost

• The broken window

• in the following sentence

Answer explanation

The correct participial phrase is 'covered in frost' as it describes the state of the broken window.

Distinguish the infinitive phrase in the following sentence: He decided to take a walk in the park.

• a walk in the park

• he decided to take

• to take a walk in the park

• decided to take a walk

Answer explanation

The infinitive phrase in the sentence is 'to take a walk in the park.' It functions as the direct object of the verb 'decided.'

Distinguish the infinitive phrase in the following sentence: I want to learn how to play the guitar.

• to learn how to play the guitar

• playing the guitar

• to learn how to dance

• want to learn

Answer explanation

The infinitive phrase in the sentence is 'to learn how to play the guitar'. It is the correct choice because it represents the action that the speaker wants to do.

An infinitive verbal phrase can act like a _____, ______, or ______. 

• a noun, an adjective, or  an adverb

• a noun, a conjunction, or a preposition

Participial verbal phrases are verb forms that act like ______.

• nouns

• adjectives

Gerund verbal phrases act like_________. 

• adjectives

• nouns

What type of verbal phrase is green?
My friends and I love to watch the movie Elf.

• gerund

• infinitive

• participial

• marsupial

What type of verbal phrase is green?
Buddy the Elf, hoping to find his parents, heads to New York City.

• participial

• infinitive