Unit 3

Introduction to Phrases, Clauses, and Sentences

Phrases
A phrase is a group of related words that does not contain a subject and a verb.

1. Noun Phrases consist of nouns with their modifiers.

Examples: The explosion of the firework injured a lot of people.
They are listening to the interesting story.

Exercise
Underline noun phrases and circle the head nouns in the following sentences.

1. A storm with heavy winds occurred during the night.

2. The cashier at the first check-out stand works at a rapid pace.

3. A light lunch of cucumber sandwiches will be served at the picnic table.

4. The first violets of the year have appeared in the woods.

5. Do you know the women I’m pointing out to you?

6. A country having a little inflation is like a woman being a little pregnant.

7. The most important thing for you to do is to discuss the topic of the story.

8. He is reading the invention of new software.

9. The person chosen from the committee has to give a speech.

10. Some of the children playing over there usually come late.
2. Verb Phrases are verbs that consist of two or more words.
Examples: I have played tennis for the last ten years.
This time next week, John will be training for the Olympics.

Exercise
Underline the verb phrases in the following sentences.
1. The children were given popcorn by the babysitter.

2. Marie has done her work well.

3. After next week, she will have worked at the insurance company for six weeks.

4. My secretary has just written a reply to that inquiry.

5. Could you help me if you’ve got time?

6. What the report says is what we’ve already known.

7. Although she has never complained about the noise, she can’t do her work.

8. Steve can’t bring his car tonight, so he’ll come by taxi.

9. In spite of your objections, I’m going to mention my plan.

10. Leave everything outside before you enter the room.

3. Prepositional Phrases are phrases that consist of prepositions, their objects and
modifiers.
Examples: The end of the story will appear in the next time.
My home in the valley was destroyed by the flood.

Exercise
Underline the prepositional phrase and circle the word it modifies in the following
sentences.
1. The view from our windows overlooks a sanctuary of birds.

2. Linda is a girl of many talents.

3. The study of law enforcement gave Dorothy a new insight into a possible career.

4. He said the boat would be leaving the dock in 25 minutes.

5. My friend Bill Allen married his sweetheart during the war.

6. This is the tallest building in the world.

7. I drove around the block slowly while Martha ran into the store.

8. You will find much information in the appendix of this book.

9. A monkey escaped from the zoo by jumping over a very high fence.

10. He pointed to the rope which hung from a hook far above our heads.
4. Appositive Phrase is either a single noun or a noun phrase which is placed directly beside
another noun to explain it.

Examples: Jude has never visited Puerto Rico, his father’s birthplace.
The orange, a citrus fruit, contains vitamin C.

Exercise
In each sentence below, underline the appositive phrase and circle the noun it modifies.
1. Jeff Stevens , our junior accountant, is responsible for the payroll.

2. Paul Newman, the famous American actor, directed five motion pictures.

3. The extremely popular American film, Titanic was widely criticized for its mediocre
script.

4. 60 Minutes, the TV news magazine program, featured a story on the popular singer
Whitney Houston.

5. Queen Victoria, one of England’s greatest monarchs, ruled for sixty-three years.

6. Have you ever read a novel by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet?

7. Many of the unforgettable scenes in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey were shot in
the cliffs near Piopio, a small town in New Zealand.

8. The mythical Loch Ness Monster is said to make its home in Loch Ness, a body of
water in the Scottish Highlands.

9. In Iran, families celebrate Yalda, a Persian festival to mark the winter solstice, by
sharing pomegranates, nuts, and other special foods.

10.The Golden Gate Bridge, the bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County, first
opened in 1937.
5. Verbal Phrases
A verbal is a verb form that does not serve as a verb in the sentence. Instead, it functions as a noun,
adjective, or adverb. There are three types of verbal phrases: infinitive, gerund, and participial.

5.1 Infinitive Phrases consist of infinitive verbs with objects or modifiers. When used in a
sentence, an infinitive phrase can function as a noun or a modifier
Examples: He prefers to play the game.
It is very necessary to study more than two languages.

Exercise
Underline the infinitive phrases and circle the verbs in the following sentences.
1. To be healthy is the hope of most people who patronize spas.
2. They want to heat their home with solar energy.
3. The office manager has something to say to us about the missing supplies.

4. The second vice president’s aim is to build a good relationship with the first vice
president.

5. It was wonderful to see our old friends again.

6. I close the window to keep out the loud noise.

7. His purpose is to travel around the world in one month.

8. He doesn’t like to be interrupted in the middle of his lecture.

9. I finally persuaded my friend to stay for two more days.

10.It is impossible to do that without any help from you.

5.2 Gerund Phrases consist of a present participle form of a verb with objects or modifiers. A
gerund phrase functions as a noun.
Examples: Getting a new job is sometimes difficult.
He avoids making mistakes.
I’m looking forward to seeing you.

Exercise
Underline the gerund phrases and circle the verbs in the following sentences.
1. Her happiness moment was achieving a management position.
2. Eating several small meals during the day helps keep your energy level up.
3. The personnel office suggests sending applications early.

4. Learning all of those new words in one day was a difficult job.

5. He always depends on getting help from other students.

6. They should postpone leaving for another week or so.

7. I don’t deny not understanding that part of the lesson.

8. We would appreciate receiving your answer promptly.

9. Fred admitted knowing very little about the subject.

10. No one enjoys being deceived by another person.

5.3 Participial Phrases are phrases which begin with present participle (-ing) or past participle
form (V.3) of the verbs. A participial phrase functions as a modifier.

Examples: Handing me the receipt, the manager thanked me.

The picture, stolen from the gallery yesterday, has been found.

Exercise
Underline the participial phrase and circle the word it modifies.
1. Hearing the sirens, we pulled over to the side of the road.
2. The appearance of his haircut, reflected in the mirror, pleased Dan.

3. My brother, winning the first prize, will come to join the club.

4. The police caught the thief having stolen the money.

5. Frightened by the loud fireworks, the dog hid under the couch.

6. The children, hoping for candy, received baked potatoes instead.

7. Invented by an Indiana housewife in 1889, the first dishwasher was driven by a

steam engine.

8. Michael, injured during the soccer match, had to leave the field.

9. Dealing with a different language and culture, foreign students have additional
difficulties in passing their courses.

10.The police stopped the driver, found to have drunk almost twice the legal limit.
CLAUSES
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb.
 An independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought. It may serve as a complete
sentence by itself.
 A dependent clause or a subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a
verb BUT it does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Types of Dependent Clauses

1. Noun Clauses
A noun clause functions as a noun.
Examples: Whoever makes the most sales will receive a bonus.
She repeats whatever is said to her.
The director of research is pleased with what you have accomplished.
Exercise
Underline the noun clauses and circle the verbs in the following sentences.
1. Whoever works with children should have a lot of patience.

2. Did he tell the store manager why he was late?

3. One of Joe’s reasons for looking for a new job is that he dislikes commuting so far.

4. Your pay raise will depend on how much your work improves.

5. At that time, I believed that I knew the answer.

6. Mr. Meyer knows what the word means.

7. Do you know what countries they have visited?

8. I can’t understand why Frank lied to them about it.

9. Where we should stay tonight is what we re making a decision.

10.They have found out which books will be used next year.
2. Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause functions as a modifier. It is usually placed after the noun or pronoun it modifies.
Examples: The man who succeeds here must be hard-working.
This is the job that I want.
She is a woman whose achievements are remarkable.
Exercise
Underline the adjective clause and circle the noun it modifies.

1. There are people who enjoy hard work.

2. Jim sent us a list of applicants who he could recommend.

3. Barbara owns several antique watches for which she paid a reasonable sum.

4. That was the moment when I should have changed my mind.

5. That was the best movie that I’ve seen this year.

6. Have you seen the house which is being built next door?

7. They accepted every suggestion which we made.

8. Mr. Wilson is the kind of person that gets result quickly.

9. The doctor who he recommended was very competent.

10.The book which I’m using belongs to the teacher.

3. Adverb Clauses
An adverb clause functions as a modifier. It describes the action of the main clause by answering certain
questions: how, when, where, why.

Exercise
Underline the adverb clause and circle the word it modifies.

1. After Jane earns some money, she will go back to school.

2. The house was bigger than we had imagined.

3. He decided to go although I begged him not to.

4. Would you please put the book where it belongs?

5. The Browns saw the Eiffel Tower when they were in Paris.

6. I can’t write to Mr. Yamamoto because I don’t know his address.

7. George and I will wait right here until you get back.

8. I will give Mr. Anderson your message if I see him tomorrow.

9. I’ll go by car so that I can take more luggage.

10.You won’t know anything unless you try.

Sentences
1. Simple Sentences

2. Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is composed of two or more independent clauses. THE clauses may be joined by a
coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) with a comma placed before the conjunction.
Examples:

 The college is now offering a course in Fire Protection System, and interested
students should register immediately.

 She has knitted many sweaters, but she did not knit this pink mohair one.

 Please find time to drive me to the city, for I am terrified to driving those busy
freeways myself.

F - For reasons
A - And addition / next action
N - Nor not one or the other
B - But contrasting & unexpected results
O - Or choices & conditions
Y - Yet contrasting & unexpected results
S - So consequence / actions taken

The other way to join the clauses is with a semicolon or followed by a conjunctive adverb.
Examples:
a. We had heard no storm warnings; we were completely unaware of the hurricane’s
approach.

b. Our Ethnic Studies course is innovative; moreover, it has been well received by the
students.

c. The repairs on my car cost three hundred dollars; then, it ran better for a few days.
Compound Sentences: Exercise
Write the appropriate coordinating conjunctions for the following sentences.

1. I like the make and style of my car, but it uses too much gas.

2. My supervisor gave me a good rating, yet I’m still waiting for a raise.

3. We like the countryside in Denmark, and we thought the Danish people very friendly.

4. He should drive more carefully, or he will get a ticket.

5. She doesn’t like living in New York , but she can’t find such a good job anywhere else.

6. Mom and dad want to see Hello Dolly, so I plan to buy tickets for their anniversary.

7. I stopped , for I wasn’t sure.

8. Sam loves classical music , but his brother doesn’t.

9. We can go to the concert , or we can stay home.

10.John cancelled his appointment , for there was a storm.

3. Complex Sentences
A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and one or more dependent (or
subordinate) clause.
Examples:
 Because heavy rains had flooded the area, the Johnsons were unable to reach their
destination on time.

 If you can come, please let me know.

 The boy whose father is a politician is very talkative.

 Do you know how we can go to Bhutan?

 Do you know if we need a visa to enter Bhutan?

4. Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence is made from two independent clauses and one or more dependent
clauses.
Examples:

 Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't
found anyone to go with.
o independent clause(1): I haven't had the time to go lately
o independent clause(2): I haven't found anyone to go with
o dependent clause: Although I like to go camping,

 We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch
scary movies, thought that we were wrong.
o independent clause(1): We decided that the movie was too violent
o independent clause(2): our children thought that we were wrong
o dependent clause: ,who like to watch scary movies
 FRAGMENTS
Exercises
A. Which of the following items are complete sentences? Write S in the
space provided, and put a punctuation mark where necessary.
1. after reading the instructions

2. the next step in assembling this equipment

3. while turning the top of the bottle

4. _S_ after dark, there is nothing much to do

 After dark, there is nothing much to do.

5. _S_ turning the handle clockwise will start the machine

 Turning the handle clockwise will start the machine.

6. when Bobby remembered that he was supposed to be on duty

7. hundreds of people playing the slot machine

8. _S_ since that time, Joe has improved his position

 Since that time, Joe has improved his position.

9. which of the pills to be taken before bed time

10. to play the guitar well

B. Turn the following incomplete sentences into complete ones.
1. Linda tired by the long day’s work

- Linda was tired by the long day’s work.

- Linda, tired by the long day’s work, went to bed early.

2. although always arguing with the coach

- Although always arguing with the coach, the players followed his plan in the final
match.

3. inside the crowded department store

- A lot of shoppers are inside the crowded department store.

- A large group of Black Pink fans was inside the crowded department store, waiting for
their beloved singers.

4. winning second prize in the lottery

- Winning second prize in the lottery is what I want.

- Winning second prize in the lottery, the taxi driver donated some of the money to
charities.

5. what you said last night

- I don’t understand what you said last night.

- Do you still remember what you said last night?

- What you said last night upset me.

6. destroyed by the flood

- Many houses on the river banks were destroyed by the flood.

7. when the game was over

- When the game was over, the team celebrated their victory with their fans.

8. to write an article

- I never want to write an article.

- Do you know how to write an article?

- To write an article, you need a lot of practice.

9. because of the pollution

- Many people in the industrial town have health problems because of the pollution.

10.that I bought yesterday

- Would you like to see the shoes that I bought yesterday?