Phrases and Clauses

PHRASES

Phrases – groups of words that function as a part of speech.

Function: A group of words consisting of nouns or pronouns and their modifiers that function as a noun. Example: All the villagers seriously wanted the wolf pack gone.

Function: A group of words consisting of verbs working together and that function as a verb. Example: Ashitaka knew he would be working hard to find the demon in order to go home.

Function: A group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, and functions as an adjective or an adverb. Example: Upon arrival, Ashitaka was warmly welcomed into Iron Town.

Function: A group of words that include all the words that modify an appositive and function as an adjective - IT MUST BE SURROUNDED BY COMMAS. Function: Lady Eboshi, the leader, worked diligently to help out fellow townspeople.

Verbal Phrases: A group of words that begin with a verbal and ends with a noun.

Function: Verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun. Example: Running down the forest, Ashitaka saw a glimpse of San and the wolf pack.

Function: Word ending in -ing (present participle) or -ed (past participle) that functions as an adjective. Example: San and the wolves quickly left the destroyed village.

Function: Verbs preceded by the word “to” (to read, to study, to write) that function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Example: San knew it was time to rest for the hunt.

Noun Phrase:

Verb Phrase:

Prepositional Phrase:

Appositive Phrase:

Gerund Phrase

Participial Phrase

Infinitive Phrase

Clauses – groups of words with BOTH a subject and a verb that function as parts of speech. There are TWO kinds: Independent and Dependent (called “Subordinate”)

INDEPENDENT

Function: CAN stand alone as a complete sentence, known as a simple sentence pattern.

Function: Iron Town requires its people to work really hard.

DEPENDENT (SUBORDINATE)

Function: CANNOT stand alone as a complete sentence and MUST begin with a

SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTION. There are seven (7) kinds: a. Noun Clause: Function: Used as the noun in a sentence and may function as a subject, a predicate noun, a direct object, an object of a preposition, an indirect object, or an appositive. Example(s): Where she grew up firmly made San who she is. Lady Eboshi orders to give whoever comes a warm meal. That San was happy when the wolves finished was totally obvious. Ashitaka wisely checked what he had for supplies. b. Adjective Clause: Function: Used to modify a noun in an independent clause. Some adjective clauses begin with an introductory word. Example(s): This is the forest where animals triumphantly do well. (“where” is an introductory word) There is a weapon that Lady Eboshi absolutely needed. The goal that Ashitaka wanted is clearly within his grasp. Some adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns: Example(s): Lady Eboshi is obviously the one who has the most trust. (ONE is the antecedent of WHO and is modified by the adjective clause.) The prince who had short hair smiled. (BOY is the antecedent of WHO and is modified by the adjective clause.) There is the mountain that Ashitaka is going to climb. Is this the thing that San so vehemently wants? (that is the direct object of want) San is the girl whom Lady Eboshi challenged to a duel. (whom is the direct object of challenged.) The demon to which you refer has sadly gone missing. (which is the object of the preposition to.) Lady Eboshi is someone who easily shrugs off criticism. (who is the subject of shrugs.)

CLAUSES CONTINUED...

DEPENDENT (SUBORDINATE)

Function: CANNOT stand alone as a complete sentence and MUST begin with a

SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTION. There are seven (7) kinds:

c. Adverb Clause:

Function: Used to modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in an independent clause,

introduced by a subordinate conjunction and used to indicate time, place, cause,

purpose, result, condition, and/or concession.

Modifying verbs:

They fortunately lived in an area where a few could see it. (place)

When the fire began spreading, everyone evacuated. (time)

Ashitaka sluggishly fell asleep because he was tired. (purpose)

Lady Eboshi talked as if she were passionately killing the Forest Spirit. (condition)

Modifying adjectives:

The summer strangely seems twice as long as it used to be. (how much)

Lady Eboshi was amusingly kind to her fellow townspeople. (to what extent)

Modifying adverbs:

Ashitaka struggled more than his brothers typically did. (condition)

d. Relative Clauses:

Function: Dependent clause that begins with a relative pronoun.

Example: The villager who finishes first will earn an indulgent tasty meal.

e. Elliptical Clauses:

Function: Adverb clauses in which part of the clause is omitted.

Example: When walking, Ashitaka keenly keeps his eyes on the road.

f. Essential Clauses:

Function: Clauses necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

Example: The person that most interests San is clearly Lady Eboshi.

g. Nonessential Clauses:

Example: Clauses that are NOT necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

Function: Lady Eboshi’s original village, which began years ago, was regretfully

disbanded.