Phrases Review Worksheet [Answers]

I. Prepositional Phrases

Directions:

• Underline each of the prepositional phrases in the sentences below.
• Identify each as Adv or Adj.
• Draw an arrow to the word modified or identify the adverb question being answered.  

1. They travelled in a private coach across the Rockies.

2. Snow melted down John's back

3. Select a paint for walls with oil-based paint and tough stains.

4. Without much enthusiasm, Joan hired an assistant.

5. Petra lives in a cottage with a thatched roof.

6. Early motorists had to drive machines with unreliable engines.

7. In 1897, the council of our town approved a law banning cars on public roads.

8. In those days constables were on foot or rode bicycles on their beats.

9. Around 1910 a law requiring cars to have horns was passed by the legislature.

10. To travel anywhere by horse is difficult and uncomfortable.

II. Verbals and Verbal Phrases

Directions:

• Underline each verbal/verbal phrase.
• Identify each as Part, Ger, or Inf.
  • For each verbal used as an adjective modifier (participles and some infinitives), draw an arrow to the word modified.
  • For each verbal used as a noun (gerunds and some infinitives), identify the noun position occupied (Subj, OP, DO, or PN).
  • For each verbal used as an adverb modifier (some infinitives), give the adverb question answered

1. The captain scuttled the treasure to save the ship.

2. The de Young Museum displays art collected over decades.

3. Climbing out of bed during nap time was my sister's first trick.

4. James needs to take a nap this afternoon.

5. The first mall attacked by the shopping sisters was full of bargains.

6. George and Emily planned to surprise our teacher.

7. Crowds thronging around the gate struggled to see the princess in the window.

8. David won an award for writing the best academic essay.

9. To load the trailer correctly required specialized knowledge.

10. The shop with the best sales is the one to visit early.

11. Three great songs composed by Stevie Wonder featured on the program.

12. Nearly burnt food is now described on menus as "blackened" items.

13. Nathan preferred studying by himself.

14. During high school, he decided to scale Half Dome with his climbing buddy.

15. Shoe styles sold at WalMart are not available at Macy's.

16. My hamster eats to overcome boredom.

17. My sister has adopted a puppy abandoned in Pope Valley.

18. Tom's least favorite job is washing dishes.

19. We helped the neighbors move into their new house.

20. Local regulations allow picnicking by the lake.

III. Appositives

Directions: Underline each appositive/appositive phrase.

1. Nicole Green, the actress chosen for the lead role, was involved in a car accident yesterday.

2. He was intrigued by backgammon, an ancient game designed for two players, and computer solitaire.

3. The band played Silent Night, a special favorite of the vicar's wife, for the Christmas program.

4. Our neighbors, the Greenes, have bought a new sailboat, a catamaran.

5. We settled down next to my aunt, the mother of the bride, in the front row.

IV. Writing Sentences

Directions: Write sentences following the guidelines below.

1. Use running in a participial phrase modifying the subject.
   
     

2. Use to jump in an infinitive phrase acting as a DO.
   
     

3. Use hoping in a gerund phrase as the subject of the sentence.
   
     

4. Make an appositive phrase to follow your own name in a sentence.
   
     

5. Use torn in a participial phrase modifying the DO.
   
     

6. Use singing in a gerund phrase acting as an OP.
   
     

7. Use to claim in an infinitive phrase acting as a PN.
   
   

[Answers]