http://www.ck12.org Chapter 10. Parts of the Sentence
Any phrase (with a handful of exceptions) that begins with a preposition is considered aprepositional phrase.
There are dozens of different prepositions; the following is a list of common prepositions.
TABLE10.2:
Aboard Below In Since About Beneath Into
Through Above Beside Like Throughout Across Between
Near Till After Beyond Of To Against
But Off Toward Along By On Under
Amid Concerning Onto Underneath Among Despite Out
Until Around Down Outside Up As During
Over Upon At Except Past With Atop
For Per Within Before From Regarding WithoutExample 1-Afterswimmingintheocean, Marco jumpedinthepool.
There are three prepositional phrases in this sentence; the second, “in the ocean,” is contained within the first.
Remember that a preposition will always be modifying either a noun or a verb. All three, in this case, are adverbial:
“after swimming” is describing when Marco jumped, while “in the pool” is describing where.
Example 2- Our company now imports semiconductorsfromtheRepublicofChina.
Here is an example of two prepositional phrases acting adjectivally. “From” is telling us the origin of the semicon-
ductors (though, in this case, it could also be functioning adverbially—that is, describing the verb “imports”), while
“of” tells us which republic we’re talking about.
Participial Phrase
A participle is defined as any verb that ends with -ingor -ed(with regular verbs) and functions as either an adjective
or adverb. The participle may also have anobject(something receiving the action of the verb) after it, causing it to
become aparticiple phrase.
Example 1-Skippingalongtheforestedpath, the dwarfs whistled in a merry chorus.
Here the participle phrase is modifying the subject “dwarfs.” Notice that you can move the participial phrase to
different parts of the sentence. It could go either after the subject or at the end of the sentence.
Example 2- The kids wentboundingdownthestairs.
The participial phrase is acting adverbially in this sentence. In other words, the participle is modifying the verb
“went.”
Gerund Phrase
The gerund is defined as any -ingverb that functions as a noun. In other words, you can place a gerund phrase in
any place in the sentence where a noun could normally function. When the gerund verb has an attendant object or
modifiers, we describe it as agerund phrase.
Example 1- For thirty years, Marcel has started every morning byswimmingaroundthebay.
This gerund phrase is functioning as the object of the preposition “by.”
Example 2-SnoopingaroundFacebook is the new way to vet potential employees.
The gerund phrase here is functioning as the subject of the sentence.
Infinitive Phrase
The infinitive is defined as the base (present tense) form of a verb preceded by the wordto. Aninfinitive phrasecan
function nominally (as a noun), adverbially, or adjectivally.
1.Totalkaboutpollnumbersatthisstageoftheelection is simply counterproductive.