Grammar Quiz: Phrases and Sentence Structure

Prepositional Phrases

• Phrases starting with a preposition and ending with a noun
• Not part of the main sentence components (subject and predicate verb)
• Can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence
• Examples include: to the store, behind the car, by way of train

Predicate Verbs

• The main part of a sentence, describing what the subject does or is
• Can have up to four words, and can be compound
• Examples: jumps, went, will go, is, will be, thinks
• Examples in sample sentences:
  • It rains.
  • It will have rained.
  • I am.
  • We should have bought more pizza.

Subjects

• The main part of a sentence, indicating who or what is acting or the topic
• Can be compound
• Examples: She is late, Who is late? THE REPORT
• Examples in sample sentences:
  • The information presented was alarming.
  • After school, the team had practice until 5:00.

Infinitive Phrases

• Begin with "to" and end with a verb
• Not part of the predicate verb phrase
• Examples: to run, to sleep, to see, to think, to hope
• Examples in sample sentences:
  • I went to buy new shoes yesterday.
  • Sara is able to go with us on Saturday.

Helping Verbs

• Used to aid other verbs; part of the predicate
• Examples: should, must, will, are
• Examples in sample sentences:
  • I must have seen this movie before.
  • John was running when he fell over the chair.

"Be" Verbs

• Linking verbs that connect subjects to information
• Part of the predicate verb phrase
• Examples: is, am, were, was
• Examples in sample sentences:
  • I am.
  • She was early for the appointment.
  • The president of the student council is my cousin.

Commands

• Complete sentences where the subject ("you") is implied
• Examples in sample sentences:
  • Pass in your papers.
  • Watch out!
  • Move over, please.

Clauses vs. Phrases

• Phrases do not include a subject and a predicate, and are not complete sentences; they're not the main part of the sentence.
• Examples: to run, after practice, running down the street, after eating breakfast
• Examples in sample sentences:
  • After eating dinner, Anna went for a walk with her dog to the park.
  • Mr. Thomas, my next-door neighbor, climbed Mt. Everest last year.

Clauses

• Dependent clauses require additional information to complete a thought. Have a subject and predicate

• Independent clauses are complete sentences and do not require extra information. Have a subject and predicate

• Examples: (Dependent Clause) After the Lions won the game... (Independent Clause) The Lions won the game.

Sentence Types

• Simple Sentences: One independent clause with one subject and one predicate.
• Compound Sentences: Combine two or more independent clauses (joined by a comma, semicolon, or conjunction).
• Complex Sentences: One independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
• Examples:
  • Simple: I left work early.
  • Compound: Sara and I left work early, but we went to the gym.
  • Complex: Because of my headache, I left work early.