Phrases, Clauses, and Fragments

1 Phrases, Clauses, and Fragments Part A Participle Phrases 1. Wearing the silly costume, John entertained the guests.

2. Playing his new guitar, Elliot belted out a song.

Infinitive Phrases 1. To improve your writing, you should read daily.

2. I need to leave early so that I can catch the flight.

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PHRASES, CLAUSES, AND FRAGMENTS Prepositional Phrases 1. I spent the whole day in the classroom studying for my test.

2. We sat under the tree and reminisced about our childhood.

Gerunds 1. The students were eating snacks during the trip to the zoo.

2. Alex had trouble sleeping after watching a horror movie.

Fill in the Blanks 1. The guy walking with a limp is my cousin. (participle phrase) 2. She lives in a big house near the lake. (prepositional phrase) 3. Reading is one of my favorite activities. (gerund) 4. We intended to visit our grandparents over the weekend. (infinitive phrase) 5. The cow jumped over the fence after being startled by a low-flying airplane. (prepositional phrase) Part B Identify the text in red as an independent clause or dependent clause. (5 points) Example: Since June wants a lucrative career, she is going to law school. dependent clause

1. No one would tell me who attended the picnic. (dependent clause) 2. Leaving the party early, John went home. (independent clause) 3. She allowed her dog to run away, but a neighbor found him at the park. (dependent clause) 4. Jane slept in the basement since the cold did not bother her. (dependent clause) 5. She won’t be able to hear unless you turn up the volume. (independent clause)

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PHRASES, CLAUSES, AND FRAGMENTS

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Write two sentences that use independent clauses and two that use dependent clauses. (4 points) 1. I enjoy watching movies. (independent clause) 2. Paul traveled to Los Angeles last year. (independent clause) 3. When I visited my grandparents, I found them sleeping. (dependent clause) 4. I slept very late last night because I was studying for the examination. (dependent clause)

Part C Identify each group of words below as a complete sentence or a fragment. (10 points) Example: After I finished the novel. fragment

1. Swinging the axe high in the air to chop the wood in half. (fragment) 2. Mr. Albert, being an old teacher of my mother’s. (fragment) 3. Although I don’t like Chinese food, I went with James to the restaurant. (complete) 4. Jumping rope, walking a mile a day, and lifting weights – all forms of exercise. (fragment) 5. Karissa set the salt and pepper shakers on the table. (complete) 6. Practicing dancing for three hours every day. (fragment) 7. The computer having been purchased at a reputable store. (fragment) 8. The ending of the made-for-TV movie was disappointing. (complete) 9. The new building, the tallest one in Columbus. (fragment) 10. Whatever the results of the proposal may be. (fragment)

PHRASES, CLAUSES, AND FRAGMENTS

Decide if each of the underlined parts of speech is used correctly. If incorrect, write the correct part of speech. (3 points) Example: prepositional phrase – At night, in the dark, Mary began jogging. Incorrect, Gerund

1. participle phrase: John joined us around the campfire. (Incorrect, prepositional phrase.

2. gerund phrase: Rioting is frowned upon is this establishment. (Correct) 3. dependent clause and independent clause: Deborah likes to sing, although her voice is off-key. (Correct)

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