You can replace this phrase with the pronoun "it"

You can remove this phrase from the sentence, and the sentence will still make sense.

What type of verbal phrase is green?

Buddy the Elf, hoping to find his parents, heads to New York City.

What type of verbal phrase is green?

Smiling is my favorite!

What type of verbal phrase is green?

Baking Christmas cookies is Buddy's favorite activity.

What type of phrase is in red?

Trembling with rage, she stalked out.

What is the phase in red below:

The horse trotting up to the fence hopes that you have an apple or carrot.

What is the phase in red below:

Jamming too much clothing into a washing machine will result in disaster.

What is the phase in red below:

Walking on the beach, Delores dodged jellyfish that had washed ashore.

What is the phase in red below:

After a long day at school and work, LaShae found her roommate Ben eating the last of the leftover pizza.

What is the phase in red below:

My dog's most annoying habit is hogging the middle of the bed.

What is the participial phrase in the following sentence?

Sweeping across the night sky, the bats hunted their prey.