Chapter 1: Phrases

CHAPTER 1: PHRASES

An Introduction to Phrases

OBJECTIVES: By the end of this chapter, you will be able to

• identify the kinds of phrases in English;
• differentiate the functions of each phrase; and
• use English phrases correctly.

GETTING STARTED
Work in groups of four. Discuss the following questions. You can use any resources
(grammar books, internet, etc.) to help you.
1. How can English phrases be classified?

2. What are the English phrases according to each way of classification?

GRAMMAR KNOWLEDGE

I. Definition of Phrases
A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate. A phrase is used as a
Part of Speech (Adjective, Adverb or Noun).
Example: - The round-faced girl is my friend’s sister.
- The girl having a round face is my friend’s sister.
- The girl who has a round face is my friend’s sister.

II. Classifications
Phrases can be classified according to either structures or functions.

Phrases based on structures Phrases based on functions

 Participial phrases  Noun Phrases
 Gerund phrases  Adjective Phrases
 Infinitive phrases  Adverb Phrases
 Prepositional phrases
 Noun Phrases
 Adjective Phrases
 Adverb Phrases
 Verb phrases
 Absolute phrases

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Chapter 1: Phrases

CHAPTER 1: PHRASES

Unit 1: Phrases according to Structures

OBJECTIVES: By the end of this chapter, you will be able to

• identify the kinds of phrases in English;
• differentiate the functions of each phrase; and
• use English phrases correctly.

GETTING STARTED
Work in groups of four. Discuss the following questions. You can use any resources
(grammar books, internet, etc.) to help you.
1. How can English phrases be classified according to structures?

2. What are the English phrases according to that way of classification?

GRAMMAR KNOWLEDGE

1. Participial Phrases
a. Definition: A Participial phrase is a group of words consisting of a participle and its
modifiers, objects or complements.
Modifier: When, Where, How, Why
Object: Whom, What
Complement: after BE, linking Verb
Examples: - Walking along the river bank, we heard a loud shot.
- Grabbing a sandwich from the tray, Tom hurried to the door.
- Feeling very pleased, the father gave his son a reward.
- The dog found in the street was homeless.

b. Form
Modifier
Present Participle
+ Objects
Past Participle
Complement s

Examples
 Participle + modifier - Smiling gracefully, she accepted his invitation.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

(Adverb)(word, phrase, - Driving at full speed, he tried to be in time for the conference.
clause) - Coming back where he was born, he was filled with sweet
memories of his childhood.
- Born where his father had died, the boy was badly brought up.
 Participle + Object (word, - Having shot the tiger, the man returned home.
phrase, clause) - A policeman was there, explaining the matter to the crowd.
- Believing that Juliet was dead, Romeo decided to kill himself.
 Participle + Complement - Being ill, my brother could not come.

c. Function: The Participial phrase (as an Adjective Phrase) can be used in the following
cases.
 Participial Phrase can replace:
- an Adverbial Clause of - As he feared that he did not have enough money to support his
Reason family, he worked overtime.
Fearing that he did not have enough money to support his
family, he worked overtime.
- an Adverbial Clause of - Although I admitted that he was right, I did not like his plans.
Contrast Admitting that he was right, I did not like his plans.
- an Adverbial Clause of - If you take morning exercise every day, you will be in good
Condition health.
Taking morning exercise every day, you will be in good health.
- an Adverbial Clause of Time - While I was walking along the street, I saw an accident.
Walking along the street, I saw an accident.
Notes: - After preparing the dinner, Michelle will read a book.=>
- After/Before/By/Upon/etc. Gerund
(Prep.) + Ving (Gerund) - By working ten-hour day for days, we can have a long
- While (conj.) + Ving (Present weekend.=> Gerund
Participle) - While reviewing for the test, Marcia realized that she had
forgotten to study the use of participial phrases. => Present
Participial P (while is a conjunction, not a prep.)
- While (locked up) in prison, she wrote her first novel. Past
Participial Phrase.
The participial phrase
 May be used as Modifier of N - The stone steps, having been worn down by generations of
students, need to be replaced.
- The pond, frozen over since early December, is now safe for ice-
skating.
 May be used in Absolute - The work having been done, we sat down to rest.
phrase/Independent phrase Because the work had been done, we.....
- His voice trembling with anger, he ordered us to leave.
- My brother stood under the sunshine, his head covered with a
newspaper.
 may be used as Complement - I found the fire burning brightly.
Subject C: after be, VL - I found the house burnt down.
Objective C: after O
 is used as long Adjectives, - I am more tired today.
always has degrees of - She is most interested in classical music.
Comparisons with More/Most

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Chapter 1: Phrases

2. Gerund Phrases
a. Definition: A Gerund phrase is a group of words functioning as a Noun with the
Gerund as its head.

Example: I love baking cakes.

b. Form: Modifier
Gerund + Objects
Complement s

Examples
Gerund + Modifier Walking in early morning is good for our health.
Gerund + Object Studying math is not my interest.
Gerund + Complement She dreads getting old.

c. Function
1. Subject of a Verb - Reading French is easier than speaking it.
- Cramming for tests is not a good study strategy.
2. Object of a Verb - Would you consider selling the property?
- John enjoys swimming in the lake after the dark.
3. Object of a Preposition - I have no objection to hearing your story again.
- Touch your toes without bending your knees!
4. Complement - My hobby is reading books.
5. Appositive - I hate his habit, smoking cigarettes.

3. Infinitive Phrases
a. Definition: An Infinitive Phrase is a group of words with the Infinitive as its head.
Example: I love to bake cakes.
b. Form
Infinitive + Modifier - I want to go home early.
Infinitive + Object - This book helps me to understand English grammar.
- She lets her boyfriend borrow her computer.
Infinitive + Complement - You need to stay healthy.

c. Function: An Infinitive phrase can function as a Noun, an Adjective or an Adverb.

1. Subject - To save money now seems impossible.

2. Object of Verb - I managed to put the fire out.

3. Complement - My intention is to give a party next week.

4. Modifier as Adverb - She went home to get her book.

- I was eager to go for a walk with him.

5. Modifier as Adjective - John always has plenty of money to spend on movies.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

S+VL+S.C: He is (very) intelligent.

S+V+O+O.C
4. Prepositional Phrase
a. Definition: A Prepositional phrase is a group of words beginning with a preposition.
Examples: - The cat is hiding behind the door.
- Come to the concert with me.
- Climb into the car in the driveway.
b. Form
Preposition + Pronoun - My only recollection of it is sleeping in a wood for about 4
or 5 hours.
Preposition + Noun - He is a man of action.
Preposition + Gerund - Instead of getting people up so early, she could stick
around and have breakfast for an hour or two.
Preposition + Wh. Phrase - It is just a question of how to organize it.
Preposition + Wh. Clause - It is just a question of how we organize it and what the
numbers should be.
Preposition + Adverb - I have to wait till then.

c. Function: A prepositional phrase can function as an adjective, an adverb, or even a

noun.
As Adj. Modifier of Noun - Everybody questions the significance of the
result.
- Birds of the same feather flock together.
Subjective Complement - Yesterday the sun was just as it is in India.
Objective Complement - I brought her out of hospital.
As Adv. Modifier of Adjective - They are ignorant of the causes of this
disease.
- Aren’t you curious about them?
Modifier of Verb - She saw a butterfly through the window.
- The old man stumbled over the piece of stone.
Modifier of a Sentence - Among young men, suits and ties are not the
fashion.
- To my surprise, the doctor phoned the next
morning.
As N. Subject of Verb - Before breakfast is when I do my best work.
(occasionally) Object of Verb - Did you apply for anything in the final year?
Object of Preposition - The view from above the shore is
magnificent.

Note 1:
GOOD GRAMMAR HINT: A prepositional phrase that begins a sentence is not usually followed by a
comma. Sometimes, however, a writer may add a comma for clarity.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

GOOD GRAMMAR: For a dog nothing beats a day in the park! (No comma needed.)

GOOD GRAMMAR: For a dog, a dog house makes a perfect home. (Comma adds clarity.)

Note 2:
Prepositional phrases may be pre-modified by intensifiers.
Example: - You were very on time.
- What is happening is perfectly in order.

5. Noun phrases

a. Definition: A noun phrase is a phrase that consists of a noun as its head and its
modifiers.

b. Form
Adj + Noun - This dish is prepared at the table by a waiter.
(Proper, Descriptive, Numeral,
Interrogative, Possessive,
- Every student was charged three dollars for the second
Demonstrative, Indefinite glass.
Adjectives) - He’s a clever student.
- What color do you like best?
Noun + Adj. Phrase - She carries a basket full of fruit.
- I want to employ a secretary capable of translating
scientific papers.
- We live in a country dependent of foreign pressure.
Noun + Prep. Phrase - The reason for his absence was unknown.
Noun + Inf. Phrase - The ability to cooperate with others is as important as
managing on our own.

c. Functions
1. Subject of a verb - The girl is pretty.
- I met a pretty girl.
2. Object of a verb
- My professor loaned me a book. (me: I.O; a book: D.O)
- We talk about this lesson.
3. Object of a preposition
- He’s lived here for three years.
4. Subjective complement - I am a teacher.
- They elected him the monitor.
5. Objective complement
- They called Beethoven a musical genius.
6. Apposition - Nguyen Du, a famous poet, wrote “Kieu”.
- He is a second-year student.
7. Adjective equivalent
- The cat is eating the dog’s food.
8. Adverb equivalent - He works two hours.

6. Adjective phrases

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Chapter 1: Phrases

a. Definition: An Adjective Phrase is a phrase that consists of an Adjective as the head

word and its modifiers.

b. Form
Adv + Adjective - The doctor is very late.
Adjective + Prep. Phrase - My sister is fond of animals.
- I’m afraid of the dark.
Adjective + Inf. Phrase - I’m glad to meet you.
- Are you ready to go?

c. Function: like an adjective, adjective phrases are used to describe a noun, a pronoun, or
a noun equivalent.

d. Position
1. Generally Before a Noun - He is a very clever student.
2. After TO BE or Linking Verbs - I am so tired.
- We feel very happy.
3. After a Noun - He has a face thin and worn but eager and
a. In a series linked by Conjunctions resolute.
- He is a writer both witty and wise.
b. In a Phrase - She carries a basket full of fruit.
- I want to employ a secretary capable of
translating scientific papers.
- We live in a country dependent of foreign
pressure.
c. As an objective complement - His appearance makes me extremely
frightened.
- Alfred the Great (Alfred Đại đế)
d. Proper Noun + THE + Adj - William the Silent (William người trầm lặng)
- Ivan the Terrible (Ivan kẻ khủng khiếp)
4. After an Indefinite Pronoun - I’ll tell you something very important.

7. Adverbial phrases
a. Definition: An adverbial phrase is a phrase that consists of an adverb as the head word
and its modifiers

b. Form
Adverb + Adverb - He graduated very recently.
- She left quite suddenly.
Adverb + Adv.P - I wish you’d write clearly enough for us to read it.
- The air was warm, stirred only occasionally by a breeze.
Adverb + Prep. P - Unfortunately for him, his wife came home early.
Adverb + Inf. P - The thief run too quickly to be caught.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

c. Function
To modify Examples
1. A Verb - I wish you’d write clearly enough for us to read it.
2. A whole Sentence - Unfortunately for him, his wife came home early.

8. Verb phrases
a. Definition: A verb phrase is a phrase that consists of a verb as the head word and its
dependents (objects, complements or modifiers).
b. Form
(Auxiliary verb) + main verb (VL) + - My friends are at the library.
S.C (+ modifiers) - The supervisor was in good mood (today).
- Mr. James has been a teacher (for forty years).
(Auxiliary verb) + main verb (Vi) - Does your dog bite?
(+ modifiers) - The vase broke.
- He graduated (very recently).
- She left (quite suddenly).
(Auxiliary verb) + main verb (Vt) + - The cat bit him.
O (+ modifiers) - She left the keys (on the table).
(Auxiliary verb) + main verb (Vt) + - The new plant brought the city jobs.
I.O + D.O (+ modifiers) - The extended summer hours allowed more visitors
access to the museum.
(Auxiliary verb) + main verb (Vt) + - The jury found the defendant guilty.
O + O.C - Most people consider Jacobsen a loyal friend.

c. Function: A verb phrase functions as the predicate of the clause or the sentence. It
signals an action, an occurrence, or a state of being.
Example: - Tom hit the ball.
- There was a car accident this morning.
- The sky is blue.

9. Absolute phrases
a. Definition: An absolute phrase is a group of words that modifies an independent
clause as a whole.

b. Form
Noun/Pronoun + Participle
- Her arms folded across her chest, Professor Hill
phrase
warned the class about the penalties of plagiarism.
- His subordinates, their faces sweat-streaked and
smudged with ash, leaned heavily against the firetruck.
- The two superstars signed autographs into the
night, their faces beaming happily.
- The new recruits stood in one corner of the gym, their
uniforms stiff and ill fitting, their faces betraying their
anxiety.

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* When the participle of an

absolute phrase is a form of to be,
- The season [being] over, they were mobbed by fans in
such as being or having been, the Times Square.
participle is often left out but
understood.
c. Function: An absolute phrase describes the whole main clause.

d. Uses: An absolute phrase can replace an adverbial clause of

Time
- As the weather was fine, we went out for a picnic.
= The weather (being) fine, we went out for a picnic.

- After the sun had risen, we set out on our journey.

= The sun having risen, we set out on our journey.
Condition
- If weather permits, we shall meet in the meeting.
= Weather permitting, we shall meet in the meeting.

- If God wills, we shall meet again.

= God willing, we shall meet again.
Cause
- Because the mittens were lost, the children cried.
= The mittens lost, the children cried.
Concession
- Although it was raining, he walked to the station.
= It raining, he walked to the station.

GRAMMAR EXERCISES
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
Exercise 1: Underline the Participles of Participial Phrases used as Adjectives and cross
out the Participles used as Verbs in the following sentences.

1. The dancer, gyrating wildly, was discovered to be insane.

2. My brother, taking a calculus class, has forgotten all his algebra.

3. The crazy dancer was taking a basket-weaving class instead of calculus.

4. Pushing aside all his inhibitions, my brother will dance while he is memorizing his
geometric formulae.

5. Unfortunately, the Spanish class fulfilling my language requirement includes my brother

and the dancer.

6. Usually, a class harboring insane dancers and incompetent brothers is a difficult learning
environment.

7. Rising out of the sea in front of us, the sun started to warm our faces.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

8. Printed on the very first press, the document was extremely valuable.

9. Broken by a government whistle-blower, the news is all over the media.

10. These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.

Exercise 2: Each of the following sentences contains one or more participles. Underline
all of these participles and then circle the word that each participle qualifies.

1. All broken test tubes must be replaced by the chemistry students.

2. Bill appeared on the stage, his face painted beyond recognition.

3. I saw him leaning out the window, shouting and waving at the passer-by.

4. Otto, busily mixing the formula, didn’t notice the water in the beaker boiling dry.

5. Running to catch a bus, Doris tripped and sprained ankle.

6. Having got home, he went to sleep immediately.

7. Alex, looking very unhappy, was leaning against the fence, watching the game.

8. Marching up to the counters, the woman pointed to through the stack of freshly folded
shirts.

9. Forest fires are often caused by smoldering embers left by careless campers or picnickers.

10. Blinded by the dazzling snow, almost frozen after the long journey, the explorer had great
difficulty in finding and striking his matches.

Exercise 3: Wherever possible, change the subordinate clauses into participial phrases.

1. The tune that is being played is quite familiar to me.

_________________________________________________________________________

2. When the work was done, they went home.

_________________________________________________________________________

3. When I had done my work, I went home.

_________________________________________________________________________

4. They could not make the trip as they had no money.

_________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 1: Phrases

5. The letter you sent to me arrived safely.

_________________________________________________________________________

6. Do you know the lady who is just entering the house?

_________________________________________________________________________

7. As she was afraid, she did not want to go home alone.

_________________________________________________________________________

8. Although he was badly hurt, he walked all the way home.

_________________________________________________________________________

9. If the weather permits, we shall leave early.

_________________________________________________________________________

10. As I had broken my pen, I had to buy a new one.

_________________________________________________________________________

GERUND PHRASES
Exercise 4: Underline the gerund phrases and then tell their functions.

1. Joining club is a good way of meeting new people.

2. Harold doesn’t like making speeches in front of the class.

3. Standing next to Ed made Joan appear taller than she is.

4. All Bill’s friends have been worrying about his quitting school in June.

5. We ended by going downtown and watching the parade.

6. Without a doubt dancing helps in developing grace, poise, and confidence.

7. After looking all over the house for the missing copy of Hamlet, Helen stopped searching
and bought a new one.

8. Without having stirred from his chair, Nero Wolfe had succeeded in solving the mystery.

9. The reporter’s constant worry is meeting a deadline.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

10. Larry’s first job, interviewing Mickey Mantle, made him the envy of the staff.

INFINITIVE PHRASES
Exercise 5: Underline the infinitive phrases in the following sentences and tell their
functions in the sentence.
1. Doris’s only ambition is to become a great actress.
2. Young people should learn to think for themselves.
3. Bert’s summer job, clerking in a store, helped (to) pay his college expenses.
4. We weren’t particularly eager to appear in the variety show.
5. Ann went to Canada to visit relatives for a week, and then decided to work there.
6. Don is sure to forget the key if you don’t remind him.
7. To be successful doesn’t necessarily mean to be wealthy.
8. Does Mr Theodore intend to come on Saturday to play for the auditions?
9. Sometimes it is hard to understand dad’s mood.
10. She wants to know if anyone has an umbrella to lend her.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
Exercise 6: Underline the Prepositional Phrases and circle the Preposition in the
following sentences.

Example: The cat is hiding behind the door.

1. The teenager in the red jacket ran past the door.
2. Under the tree in the back of the lawn is a wrecked car.
3. Among young men, suits and ties are not the fashion.
4. I would love to dance in The Nutcracker like you.
5. Between you and me, I think this exercise is too easy.
6. We will be back in a few days.
7. We’ve got a new television with a thirty one inch screen.
8. The lion was killed by the hunter.
9. Helen is the girl in the red dress.
10. They drove to Glasgow.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

Exercise 7: Underline the prepositional phrases in the following sentences and tell
whether the phrase is used as an Adjective or Adverb.
1. We scrambled over the fence and ran through the orchard at break-neck speed.

2. The girl with black hair is Jerry’s cousin from Washington D.C.

3. By Friday the girls in the first tent were no longer speaking to each other.

4. Martha piled Tommy’s toys behind Dad’s chair, flicked dust cloth over the tables, and
smoothed the cushions on the sofa.

5. The sweet potatoes in the vegetable bin are green with mold.

6. The new tennis ball rolled off the table and bounced down the porch stairs into a puddle
of water.

7. He quickly stood up from an arm-chair and stepped out of the room.

8. In spite of his sarcasm I knew he was happy about his job.

9. Ken was sitting between Alice and Sue in the booth near the window.

10. Because of her encouraging remarks, he has been working like a steam engine.

NOUN PHRASES BASED ON THEIR STRUCTURES

Exercise 8: Underline the noun phrases based on their structure in each sentence and
tell their function.
1. As an actor, I had appeared in innumerable school broadcasts.
____________________________________________________________________

2. It was a humorous programme, but sometimes it also managed to raise controversial

issues.
____________________________________________________________________

3. That week’s programme had a piece on the impossibility of avoiding any mention of the
war.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

4. I was filming The Paras at the time, and my manager had to come down to Wales with the
script.
____________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 1: Phrases

5. My hands were so cold I dropped the script several times.

____________________________________________________________________

6. Our closest friends have just bought a new house in the village.
____________________________________________________________________

7. Both of my younger brothers are married.

____________________________________________________________________

8. The eight-year-old boy attempted to rob a sweet shop with a pistol.

____________________________________________________________________

9. That attractive young woman in the blue dress sitting over there in the corner is my aunt.
____________________________________________________________________

10. Many buildings were destroyed in the earthquake.

____________________________________________________________________

11. Akbar's son Prince Sultan Salim, later known as Jehangir wrote that nobody could make
out that Akbar was an illiterate.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

12. Akbar was a very hard-working King.

____________________________________________________________________

13. Birbal is surely one of the most popular figures in Indian history equally regarded by
adults and children.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

14. Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostly administrative and military but he was a very
close friend of Akbar too, because Akbar loved his wisdom, wit and subtle humor.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

15. He was a minister in the administration of Mogul Emperor Akbar and one of the members
of inner council of nine advisors.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

16. He was a poet and an author too.

____________________________________________________________________

17. It is believed that he was a son of poor Braahman of Trivikrampur on the banks of River
Yamuna.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

18. According to a popular legend, he died on an expedition to Afghanistan at the head of a

large military force due to treachery.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

19. It is also said that when Birbal died, Akbar mourned him for several months.
____________________________________________________________________

20. The exchanges between Akbar and Birbal have been recorded in many volumes.
____________________________________________________________________

ADJECTIVE PHRASES ACCORDING TO STRUCTURES

Exercise 9: Underline the adjective phrases in the following sentences and circle the
head word of the phrase.
1. The water was extremely cold.
2. They are completely exhausted from the trip.
3. I am too tired to go out tonight.
4. Is your coffee hot enough?
5. This coffee is too hot.
6. She's not experienced enough for this job.
7. The dress was too small for her.
8. She's not old enough to get married.
9. You're too young to have grandchildren!
10. The teacher was rather nice.
11. Why are you so angry about it?
12. I was pleased with the present you gave me.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

13. I'm not ashamed of what I did.

14. I'm not very good at repairing things.
15. Florence is famous for its art treasures.
16. Many courtiers were jealous with Birbal and often plotted for his downfall.
17. There are a couple of other stories too which are of the same time and type and are as
interesting as Birbal's ones.
18. It was cold, bleak, biting weather.
19. The very small kitten jumped at the big dog.
20. “Marge, you're as pretty as Princess Leia and as smart as Yoda."

ADVERB PHRASES ACCORDING TO STRUCTURES

Exercise 10: Underline the adverb phrases in the following sentences and circle the head
word of the phrase.
1. He didn't work hard enough.
2. He works too hard.
3. He worked very quickly.
4. The man drove really badly.
5. I go to the movies quite frequently.
6. Very slowly, we edged down the mountain.
7. Somewhat reluctantly, she returned home a week early.
8. People view things totally differently from each other.
9. The weather report is almost always right.
10. He talks extremely fast.

VERB PHRASES
Exercise 11: Underline the verb phrase in each following sentence.
1. Many sea otters do live off the coast of California.

2. Karen can almost always memorize anything.

3. Next month I will volunteer at Children's Hospital.

4. By the end of Saturday's football game, our quarterback had completed six touchdown
passes.

5. Drew might audition for a part in the school play.

6. The swim team does not often practice for more than an hour each morning.

7. My brother has forgotten his locker key again this week.

8. Sarah may be running in the relay race tomorrow.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

9. My family has not invited John to the party.

10. The Kansas City Royals did win the 1985 World Series.

ABSOLUTE PHRASE
Exercise 12: Underline the absolute phrases in the following sentences if any.

1. Her suspicions confirmed, the police officer made the arrest.

2. Backing out of the driveway, I hit the mailbox.

3. They will take the daytime train, the landscape inviting.

4. My doubts relieved, I gained confidence as the game progressed.

5. Peering through a microscope, the scientist identified several microbes.

6. His dogs panting with exertion, Hagos took a break from his run.

7. Its shutters hanging limply in the wind, the house looked abandoned and forlorn.

8. The car rusted and worthless, I left it at the junkyard.

9. Wearing a red plaid outfit, Lydia looked like a character in a novel.

10. Everything planned in advance, the party went like clockwork.

11. We scrambled from the car, racing to the amusement park gates.

12. Moving quickly, the lion cut off the fleeing zebra.

13. My garden is dying, pesticides having been applied by mistake.

14. As the parole board met to decide the fates of several people, the prisoner was hoping for
parole.

15. Legs quivering, our old dog Gizmo dreamed of chasing squirrels.

16. Its leaves burned off by the fire, the dead tree fell.

17. We hurried to the game, our anticipation being high.

18. She returned to her bench, her face showing all the unhappiness that had suddenly
overtaken her.

19. The boy watched, his eyes bulging in the dark.

20. About the bones, ants were ebbing away, their pincers full of meat.

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES ON PHRASES BASED ON STRUCTURES

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Chapter 1: Phrases

Exercise 13: Name the underline phrases in the following sentences. Then, write their
name according to their structures and then their function on the lines.

1. The girl with brown eyes is my sister.

Name: Prep.P _______________ Function: M of N (Adj)

2. (a) For two years I worked (b) in Chicago.

a. Name: Prep.P _____________ Function: M of whole sentence
b. Name: Prep.P _____________ Function: M of V (Adv)

3. The library located in the campus needs repair.

Name: Past participial P ______ Function: M of N

4. Keeping a budget requires great patience.

Name: Gerund P _____________ Function: S of V _______________

5. I am glad to see you.

Name: Infinitive P ____________ Function: M of Adj (Adv) ________

6. He entered the room through the door on the right.

Name: Prep.P _______________ Function: M of V (=Adv) ________
Name: Prep.P _______________ Function: M of N (=Adj) ________

7. Paying one’s bill is sometimes difficult.

Name: Gerund P _____________ Function: S of V _______________

8. John wanted to become an engineer.

Name: Inf.P _________________ Function: O of V ______________

9. Playing handball is pleasant exercises.

Name: Gerund ______________ Function: S of V _______________

10. The boy flying the kite was envied by other children.
Name: Present Part.P _________ Function: M of N (=Adj) ________
Name: Prep.P _______________ Function: M of V ______________

18
Chapter 1: Phrases

CHAPTER 1: PHRASES

Unit 2: Phrases according to Functions

OBJECTIVES: By the end of this unit, you will be able to

• identify the kinds of phrases according to functions; and
• use these English phrases correctly.

GETTING STARTED
Work in groups of four. Discuss the following questions. You can use any resources
(grammar books, internet, etc.) to help you.
1. How can English phrases classified according to functions?

2. What are the English phrases according to this way of classification?

GRAMMAR KNOWLEDGE

1. Noun Phrases
a. Definition: A noun phrase or a nominal phrase is one that does the work of a noun, that
is, it may be a subject, an object, or a complement.
Examples
Functions Examples
- Diligence is a virtue.
Subject of verb - Working diligently is a virtue.
- To work diligently is a virtue.
- She likes movies.
Object of verb - She likes going to the movies.
- She wants to go to the movies.
- She is fond of swimming in the sea.
Object of preposition
- He is very interested in his work.
- His intention is to give a party next week.
Subjective complement
- His pastime is collecting stamps.
Objective complement
- My friends consider my new boyfriend an absolute idiot
with a computer.
Appositive to a noun - Her duty, taking care of her children, makes her miserable.

19
Chapter 1: Phrases

b. Form
Heads Examples
Adj.P + Noun - The young German girl is reading a magazine.
A Noun
Noun + Adj. P - She carries a basket full of fruit.
- I want to employ a secretary capable of translating
scientific papers.
Noun + That Cl - He expressed a hope that you would soon be well again.
Noun + Prep. P - The reason for his absence was unknown.
- She has no idea about the value of money.
- The knowledge of how to do it was not very common.
- The knowledge of how it should be done was not very
common.
Noun + Inf. P - He expresses a desire to study abroad.
- He was filled with ambition to become famous.
- The next man to come was Nam.
- Here is a report for you to read.
Noun + Par. P - They are living in a house painted with different colors.
- The guy living next door is a singer.
Gerund + NP - Mastering the English language is not an easy thing.
A Gerund
Gerund + Prep. P - What he likes is going to the concert.
- Walking in early morning is good for our health.
Gerund + Adv P - His bad habit is writing hastily and messily.
Gerund + Adj. P - Happiness is the state of being happy.
An Inf. + NP - To give him so much money would be to spoil him.
Infinitive Inf. + Adv. P - I wish to see him this weekend.
Inf. + Prep. P - As a poet, his aim was to search for the beauty of nature.
An The + Adjective - There is often a lack of communication between the young
Adjective and the old.

2. Adjectival Phrases
a. Definition: An adjectival phrase is one that does the work of an adjective, that is, it
modifies a noun or a pronoun.
Examples: - The brown suited man is his father.
- The man in brown suit is his father.
- The man wearing a brown suit is his father.
b. Form
Heads Examples
An - He told me a very exciting story.
Adv + Adj
Adjective - I once painted my bedroom walls bright pink.
- He is afraid that he would lose.
Adj + That Cl
- She was not aware that her husband earned $1,000.
- That is a girl good at swimming.
Adj + Prep.P - Are you afraid of the dog?
- The work is new to me.

20
Chapter 1: Phrases

Heads Examples
- He told me his plan different from theirs.
- All the people present at the meeting were delighted.
- He shows himself a man responsible for his words.
- We were sorry not to see you at the meeting.
Adj + Inf. P
- Anne was eager to please her parents.
- He has a hat too old to wear.
too + Adj + Inf. - The woman was too fat to go through the door.
- They serve us coffee too cold to drink.
- We couldn’t find a place safe enough to shelter from the
Adj + enough + storm.
Inf. - He was supported by a man wealthy enough to send him
through college.
A - The boy with a dirty face has opened the door.
Preposition - I like a seat in the corner.
Prep. + NP - He is a man of action.
- Students declare the best time of year during the summer.
An Inf. + NP - He has an ambition to become a great man.
Infinitive Inf. + Adv. P - He expresses a desire to study abroad.
Inf. + Prep. P - This is only a book to read for fun.
A participle + - We found a knife stained with blood.
Participle Prep.P - The girl standing in the corner comes from my town.
- Somebody wearing army boots robbed the bank.
participle + NP - Being captain of the team, Peter played to win.
Participle + A.P. - Feeling so tired, he stopped playing.
- People shouting loudly on the streets want to get higher
participle + salary.
Adv.P - Bowing low, the clown displayed his bald head.
- Singing loudly, she feels better.
A Noun - Her father’s friend was sentenced to ten days’
Adj + N imprisonment.

3. Adverbial Phrases
a. Definition: An Adverbial Phrase is one that does the work of an Adverb, that is, it
modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb. Like an Adverb, Adverbial phrases give
answers to the questions When, Where, How, & Why.

Examples: - He answered angrily.

- He answered in an angry manner.
- He studied to become a doctor.
- Quinine is good for malaria.
- Jack caught a huge fish just before the sunset.
- Jack caught a huge fish in the causeway.
- Jack caught a huge fish with his new rod.
- Jack caught a huge fish to have for supper.

21
Chapter 1: Phrases

b. Forms
Heads Examples
Adv.P + Adv - Peter is playing very well.
An adverb
Adv + Adv. Cl - He does it faster than anyone else can imagine.
Adv + enough for … + - The bus drives quickly enough for me to arrive on
to Inf. time.
- He writes the text clearly enough for us to see.
Too + Adv + for … + - He speaks English too quickly for us to
to Inf. understand.
- The train runs too slowly for us to arrive on time.
A Prep. + NP - He came at 8 o’clock in the evening.
preposition - The soldier fought with great bravery.
- He was surprised at her remark.
- We were ready at the station.
Prep. + Gerund P. - On coming into the room, I saw my friends.
- By making mistakes, we all learn something.
Prep. + Wh. Clause - He was surprised at what she said.
An Inf. + NP - They came here to see you.
infinitive - They were surprised to hear the news.
- You should be careful not to break the vase.
A noun Adj + N - They played football last week.
- Three years ago, Peter played football very well.
- But you have to wait a long time.
A NP(as S) + Participle P - Weather permitting, we will go on a picnic.
nominative - Most of his students passing the exam, the teacher
absolute was glad.
* Nominative: chủ ngữ => nominative absolute: cụm từ độc lập có chủ ngữ

GRAMMAR EXERCISES

NOUN PHRASES BASED ON FUNCTIONS

Exercise 1: For each sentence, underline the phrase(s) that function(s) as a Noun and tell
their name based on structure and their function in the sentence.

1. Georgie Porgie was a cheeky little boy.

____________________________________________________________________

2. He liked to tease people especially little girls.

____________________________________________________________________

3. One afternoon, he went to the park near his house.

____________________________________________________________________

22
Chapter 1: Phrases

4. He found a little girl and tried to kiss her.

____________________________________________________________________

5. The girl cried and sobbed because she did not like Georgie.
____________________________________________________________________

6. Then, some boys came to the park and saw Georgie chasing after the girl.
____________________________________________________________________

7. They shouted and laughed loudly at Georgie.

____________________________________________________________________

8. Georgie stopped chasing the girl and ran away feeling embarrassed.
____________________________________________________________________

9. Thereafter Georgie hesitated to play with his friends

____________________________________________________________________
because he remembered his embarrassment that he faced in front of his friends.
____________________________________________________________________

10. This incident prohibited him from chasing girls thereafter.

____________________________________________________________________

Exercise 2: For each sentence, underline the phrase(s) that function(s) as a Noun and tell
their name based on structure and their function in the sentence.

1. Once upon a time, there was a peaceful kingdom.

______________________________________________________________________

2. The king heard rumors that barbarians were going to attack his castle soon.

______________________________________________________________________

3. So he called his two favorite pets - the huge grey goose and gander.

______________________________________________________________________

4. Our kingdom is in danger.

______________________________________________________________________

23
Chapter 1: Phrases

5. “Take my daughter to a safe place on top of the tallest hill,” said the king.

________________________________________________________________________

6. So the grey goose and gander flew the princess who sat in a red sheet to the top of the
tallest hill.

________________________________________________________________________

7. Six months had passed but the kingdom was not attacked.

________________________________________________________________________

8. The king regretted his decision and told the grey goose and gander to bring home his
daughter.

________________________________________________________________________

9. Then the king understood that he had to be careful before taking actions based up the
rumors which need not be true.

________________________________________________________________________

10. The king was aware of his discretion before taking any decision.

________________________________________________________________________

11. What is essential is to maintain a healthy diet.

____________________________________________________________________

12. The decision was to extend the deadline by three months.

____________________________________________________________________

13. Being a student sometimes means spending long hours in the library.
____________________________________________________________________

14. Your only responsibility is to babysit your younger siblings.

____________________________________________________________________

15. My favorite hobby is gardening in the morning.

_____________________________________________________________________

24
Chapter 1: Phrases

ADJECTIVE PHRASES BASED ON FUNCTIONS

Exercise 3: For each sentence, underline the phrase(s) that function(s) as an Adjective
and tell their name based on structure.

1. The lamp felt very proud of itself that it was the brightest object in the universe.
____________________________________________________________________

2. I am not very expert in this task.

____________________________________________________________________

3. There was a small puppy lying on an old rug which my mother had put outside the door.
____________________________________________________________________

4. There were questions in my mind.

____________________________________________________________________

5. Once, there lived a washer man named Bheema.

____________________________________________________________________

6. One night, few thieves broke in the house of that washer man.
____________________________________________________________________

7. The sack of salt on the donkey’s back fell into the water.
____________________________________________________________________

8. The donkey felt very happy about the reduction in the weight of the sack of salt on its back.
____________________________________________________________________

9. From that day, it became a regular practice for the donkey to slip and fall in the pond
whenever they crossed the pond to the market.
____________________________________________________________________

10. That cruel snake eats all the eggs in the nest.
____________________________________________________________________

25
Chapter 1: Phrases

Exercise 4: For each sentence, underline the phrase(s) that function(s) as an Adjective
and tell their name based on structure.

1. Watching this behind the tree, the swan and the crab heaved a sigh of relief.
____________________________________________________________________

2. The next day, the mongoose, looking for more fish, came upon the swan’s nest.
____________________________________________________________________

3. Many years ago, the members of the jungle did not have any King.
____________________________________________________________________

4. The nearby motel offers cheap but comfortable rooms.

____________________________________________________________________

5. These are unbelievably expensive shoes.

____________________________________________________________________

6. Sarah was fairly bored with you.

____________________________________________________________________

7. The extremely tired lioness is losing patience with her overly enthusiasticcub.
____________________________________________________________________

8. The dog covered in mud looked pleased with himself.

____________________________________________________________________

9. The frames beautifully carved by monks are worth more than the painting.
____________________________________________________________________

10. The woman on the boat is my aunt Carol.

____________________________________________________________________

11. The fire has made the room much warmer.

____________________________________________________________________

12. The tour guides announced the most dangerous place to swim along the southern shore.
____________________________________________________________________

13. The reviewer named the most organized classrooms in the English building.
____________________________________________________________________

26
Chapter 1: Phrases

14. I want you to leave now.

____________________________________________________________________

15. I found him somewhat recovered.

____________________________________________________________________

ADVERBIAL PHRASES BASED ON FUNCTIONS

Exercise 5: For each sentence, underline the phrase(s) that function(s) as an Adverb and
tell their name based on structure and their function in the sentence.

1. I am suffering very much with pains.

____________________________________________________________________

2. It was raining very heavily on the day we shifted.

____________________________________________________________________

3. In the midnight I heard a loud thud outside the main door.

____________________________________________________________________

4. It was difficult to see the little one.

____________________________________________________________________

5. He was trying to get inside the curved rug to avoid the chilling air outside.
____________________________________________________________________

6. The next day morning, everyone in the family came to know about the unusual guest.
____________________________________________________________________

7. He came to my room and sat near me.

____________________________________________________________________

8. she quickly tied a bandage around his leg.

____________________________________________________________________

9. After this incident my relation with Spotty became more intense.

____________________________________________________________________

10. One midnight we heard Spotty barking breathlessly.

____________________________________________________________________

11. In a dense forest, there was lake.

____________________________________________________________________

27
Chapter 1: Phrases

12. It takes place every day.

____________________________________________________________________

13. I'll do it in a minute.

____________________________________________________________________

14. You couldn't park anywhere near the place.

____________________________________________________________________

15. Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings.
____________________________________________________________________

16. He would always talk with a nationalistic tone.

____________________________________________________________________

17. He sings in a low register.

____________________________________________________________________

18. People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one.
____________________________________________________________________

19. Dad spoke softly to calm her fears.

____________________________________________________________________

20. With much consideration, he made his decision.

____________________________________________________________________

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES ON PHRASES

Exercise 6: Identify the underlined phrase and write the answer on the line.
(i) Name according to its (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
structure function a. Subject of Verb
a. Noun phrase b. Object of Verb
a. Infinitive phrase
b. Adjective phrase c. Object of preposition
b. Present participial phrase c. Adverb phrase d. Subjective Complement
c. Past participial phrase e. Objective complement
d. Gerund phrase f. Appositive
g. Modifier of Noun
e. Prepositional phrase h. Modifier of Verb
f. Noun phrase i. Modifier of Adverb
g. Adjective phrase j. Modifier of Adjective
h. Adverb phrase k. Modifier of the whole
sentence

28
Chapter 1: Phrases

(i) Name according to its (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
structure function a. Subject of Verb
a. Noun phrase b. Object of Verb
a. Infinitive phrase
b. Adjective phrase c. Object of preposition
b. Present participial phrase c. Adverb phrase d. Subjective Complement
c. Past participial phrase e. Objective complement
d. Gerund phrase f. Appositive
g. Modifier of Noun
e. Prepositional phrase h. Modifier of Verb
f. Noun phrase i. Modifier of Adverb
g. Adjective phrase j. Modifier of Adjective
h. Adverb phrase k. Modifier of the whole
sentence
1. Steven's book, which made Oprah's Book Club this month, is not in any stores.
- Name according to structure: Prep.P ______
- Name according to function: Adj.P ________ Function: S.C _______________

2. While preparing for the speech, Joe couldn't help but worry about his entrance.
- Name according to structure: Present Participial P ___________________________
- Name according to function: Adj__________ Function: M of N ____________

3. Ahmad wants to visit Quebec, but he will need to wait for his next vacation.
- Name according to structure: Inf.P ________
- Name according to function: Noun P ______ Function: O of V _____________

4. Hoping for a miracle, the doctors continued the surgery.

- Name according to structure: Present Par.P
- Name according to function: Adj P ________ Function: M of N ____________

5. Our boss supports donating time to charity.

- Name according to structure: Gerund _____
- Name according to function: NP __________ Function: O of V _____________

6. Melanie hoped to find a cure for the disease, but she tried to be realistic.
- Name according to structure: Inf.P ________
- Name according to function: NP. _________ Function: O of V _____________

7. After the banquet, the cooks will take a well-deserved break.

- Name according to structure: Prep.P ______
- Name according to function: Adv.P________ Function: M of whole sentence __

8. Joey is hoping for a chance to play pool with his uncle.

- Name according to structure: Inf.P ________

29
Chapter 1: Phrases

(i) Name according to its (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
structure function a. Subject of Verb
a. Noun phrase b. Object of Verb
a. Infinitive phrase
b. Adjective phrase c. Object of preposition
b. Present participial phrase c. Adverb phrase d. Subjective Complement
c. Past participial phrase e. Objective complement
d. Gerund phrase f. Appositive
g. Modifier of Noun
e. Prepositional phrase h. Modifier of Verb
f. Noun phrase i. Modifier of Adverb
g. Adjective phrase j. Modifier of Adjective
h. Adverb phrase k. Modifier of the whole
sentence
- Name according to function: Adj.P ________ Function: M of N ____________

9. The dog that Sam chose from the litter seems to be healthy.
- Name according to structure: Prep.P ______
- Name according to function: Adv.P________ Function: M of V_____________

10. Sam Smith, who recently spoke to the youth group, excels at motivating young people.
- Name according to structure: Gerund P ____
- Name according to function: N.P _________ Function: O of prep. __________

11. Pushed beyond endurance, the runner dropped the baton.

- Name according to structure: Past Part.P __
- Name according to function: Adj.P ________ Function: M of N ____________

12. The shoes he saw in the catalogue are available down the street.
- Name according to structure: Prep.P ______
- Name according to function: Adv.P________ Function: M of Adj ___________

13. The reporter crouched behind that tree got the best picture of the arrest.
- Name according to structure: Past part.P __
- Name according to function: Adj.P ________ Function: M of N ____________

14. Keith tried supporting both teams, but his heart was with Oregon.
- Name according to structure: Gerund P ____
- Name according to function: NP __________ Function: O of V _____________

15. Katrina, who resented being left at home, drew on the walls with her crayons.
- Name according to structure: Prep.P ______
- Name according to function: Adv.P________ Function: M of V_____________

30
Chapter 1: Phrases

Exercise 7: Identify the underlined phrase and write the answer on the line.
(i) Name according to its (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
structure function a. Subject of Verb
a. Noun phrase b. Object of Verb
a. Infinitive phrase
b. Adjective phrase c. Object of preposition
b. Present participial phrase c. Adverb phrase d. Subjective Complement
c. Past participial phrase e. Objective complement
d. Gerund phrase f. Appositive
g. Modifier of Noun
e. Prepositional phrase h. Modifier of Verb
f. Noun phrase i. Modifier of Adverb
g. Adjective phrase j. Modifier of Adjective
h. Adverb phrase k. Modifier of the whole
sentence
1. Arnold hoped to find an answer to the funding shortfall.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

2. Pressed for time, the agent ran the red light.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

3. His uncle thinks that working for the government is the key to stability.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

4. Richard's chance to make his point slipped away.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

5. Is it possible that Joshua will compete against that man?

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

6. Disneyland and Hollywood are popular places to visit in California.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

7. When buses are delayed, students are usually late for school.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

8. He used his computer to make party invitations.

31
Chapter 1: Phrases

(i) Name according to its (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
structure function a. Subject of Verb
a. Noun phrase b. Object of Verb
a. Infinitive phrase
b. Adjective phrase c. Object of preposition
b. Present participial phrase c. Adverb phrase d. Subjective Complement
c. Past participial phrase e. Objective complement
d. Gerund phrase f. Appositive
g. Modifier of Noun
e. Prepositional phrase h. Modifier of Verb
f. Noun phrase i. Modifier of Adverb
g. Adjective phrase j. Modifier of Adjective
h. Adverb phrase k. Modifier of the whole
sentence
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

9. A boy on the roof is singing a song.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

10. She is shouting in a loud voice.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

11. He sat in a corner of the room.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

12. He sat in a corner of the room.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

13. He likes to read books.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

14. He made a plan to buy a car.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

15. She started thinking about the problem.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

32
Chapter 1: Phrases

Exercise 8: Identify the underlined phrase and write the answer on the line.
(i) Name according to its (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
structure function a. Subject of Verb
a. Noun phrase b. Object of Verb
a. Infinitive phrase
b. Adjective phrase c. Object of preposition
b. Present participial phrase c. Adverb phrase d. Subjective Complement
c. Past participial phrase e. Objective complement
d. Gerund phrase f. Appositive
g. Modifier of Noun
e. Prepositional phrase h. Modifier of Verb
f. Noun phrase i. Modifier of Adverb
g. Adjective phrase j. Modifier of Adjective
h. Adverb phrase k. Modifier of the whole
sentence
1. Sleeping late in night is not a good habit.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

2. I received a letter mentioning about my exam.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

3. The crazy old lady in the park feeds the pigeons every day.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

4. The crazy old lady in the park feeds the pigeons every day.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

5. Tashonda's goal in life, to become an occupational therapist, is within her grasp this year,
at last.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

6. Tashonda's goal in life, to become an occupational therapist, is within her grasp this year,
at last.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

7. Tashonda's goal in life, to become an occupational therapist, is within her grasp this year,
at last.

33
Chapter 1: Phrases

(i) Name according to its (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
structure function a. Subject of Verb
a. Noun phrase b. Object of Verb
a. Infinitive phrase
b. Adjective phrase c. Object of preposition
b. Present participial phrase c. Adverb phrase d. Subjective Complement
c. Past participial phrase e. Objective complement
d. Gerund phrase f. Appositive
g. Modifier of Noun
e. Prepositional phrase h. Modifier of Verb
f. Noun phrase i. Modifier of Adverb
g. Adjective phrase j. Modifier of Adjective
h. Adverb phrase k. Modifier of the whole
sentence
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

8. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide acceptance among urban politicians.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

9. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide acceptance among urban politicians.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

10. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide acceptance among urban politicians.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

11. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide acceptance among urban politicians.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

12. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide acceptance among urban politicians.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

13. To know her is to love her.

- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

14. The best exercise, walking briskly, is also the least expensive,
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

34
Chapter 1: Phrases

(i) Name according to its (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
structure function a. Subject of Verb
a. Noun phrase b. Object of Verb
a. Infinitive phrase
b. Adjective phrase c. Object of preposition
b. Present participial phrase c. Adverb phrase d. Subjective Complement
c. Past participial phrase e. Objective complement
d. Gerund phrase f. Appositive
g. Modifier of Noun
e. Prepositional phrase h. Modifier of Verb
f. Noun phrase i. Modifier of Adverb
g. Adjective phrase j. Modifier of Adjective
h. Adverb phrase k. Modifier of the whole
sentence
15. Working around the clock, the firefighters finally put out the last of the California brush
fires.
- Name according to structure: ____________
- Name according to function: ____________ Function: __________________

FUN WITH GRAMMAR

SPEAKING

1. Interview

Instruction: Ask your friends about their free time activities. Complete the following
table with appropriate phrases for their responses.
Examples:
Question: What/ do/ free time? => What do you do in your free time?
Answer: I watch TV, read books, and listen to music => watching TV, reading books, and
listening to music
Questions Friends’ name Friends’ name
What/ do/ free time?
Which activity/ like most?
Where/ do/it?
With whom/ do/it?
How/ feel/do it?
Why/ enjoy it?

35
Chapter 1: Phrases

Report your friends’ ideas by using phrases noted in the table as prompts to complete
ideas. Try to use different phrases to report ideas

Nga likes … in her leisure time. Her most

favourite activity is… She often…(at
home) with her…(a person/ people). She
feels… She enjoys…. because…

Minh is interested in … in his leisure time.

He likes… most. Every..., he … in (a
place) with his… (a person/ people). He
feels… He is in favor of … because…

2. Expanding ideas

Instruction: Choose two of the following leisure time activities and state the reasons why
you do them.

Leisure time activities Reasons

1. Reading books - relax my mind
- widen my knowledge
- develop my critical thinking.

2. Going shopping

3. Chatting with friends on social

networks

4. Listening to music

36
Chapter 1: Phrases

Leisure time activities Reasons

5. Playing sports

6. Watching movies

7. Hanging out with friends

8. Cooking

9. …

Talk to your partner about your activities along with the reasons. Use as many types of
phrases as possible to explain your choice(s).
Example:
A: What do you do in your leisure time?
B: I read books.
A: Why do you like reading books?
B: - I love it because reading books gives me many good things such as relaxing my
mind, widening my knowledge, and developing my critical thinking.
Or
- Reading books is interesting to me. I read books to relax my mind, widen my
knowledge, and develop my critical thinking.

3. Situation discussion

Instruction: Discuss with your partner the following situations. Use phrases to take
notes your ideas and connect ideas for complete sentences. Then present your ideas for
the best choice.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

Situation 1: You’re planning to have an oversea trip with your family, but you do not know
where to go. Three choices namely Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand are recommended by
your friends. Which option do you think would be the best place for all members of your
family?
Examples:

Singapore Hong Kong Thailand

- have a clean environment - a good place for shopping - many pagodas to visit
-… -… -….

 Singapore has a clean environment

 Hong Kong is a good place for shopping
 There are many pagodas to visit in Thailand

Situation 2: you are discussing important jobs in your country. Talk about the following three
jobs: a doctor, a famer, and a teacher. Which job, in your opinion, is the most important?

4. Topic presentation

Instructions: Discuss in pairs and together note down details to support each idea given
in the chart below.

Topic 1: Benefits of travelling

Enlarge social
Reduce
relationships
stress

Benefits of
travelling

Widen knowledge of the (Your own idea)

outside world

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Chapter 1: Phrases

Topic 2: Holiday is a good time

Spend days off from

Have more time
work
with family

Holiday is a
good time.

Join fun activities (Your own

idea)

WRITING

1. Writing a post card to your best friend, describing your vacation.

Instruction: Imagine you are travelling somewhere in Vietnam. Think of the answers for
the following questions:
1. Where are you?
2. Who is there with you?
3. What time of day is it?
4. What activity are you doing?
5. What’s the weather like?
6. How do you feel?
7. What are you going to do next?
8…..

Write a post card to your best friend with the ideas.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

2. You received an email from your English friend, Kathy. She wants to spend a one-
week holiday in Can Tho City of Vietnam and ask you for more information and advice.
Read part of her email below.

…I am looking forward to seeing you and spend time in your hometown! I feel
so sad to hear that you are on your business trip at that time! Anyway, could
you please tell me where I should go to, what activities I should do, and what
specialties I should try?

SAMPLE:

Dear Kathy,
I’m delighted that you are coming to Can Tho City next month. I think it would
be great if I could see and spend time with you during your stay. I think there
are lots of things to do in my city such as taking a boat tour on Hau river to
enjoy sightseeing or to discover river activities, visiting Can Tho museum,
walking around at Can Tho night market to experience Can Tho night life,
going shopping at many shopping malls on Hoa Binh avenue and 30/04 street.
Also, you ought to go to My Khanh orchard, a wonderful place with many green
trees, pure air, and Vietnamese countryside specialties and so on.
I am so sorry for not seeing you at that time, but I ask my close friend to take
you around. Please let me know exactly the time you’re coming here.
Love
Mai

Read the email and underline all phrases you can find in the email.

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Chapter 1: Phrases

Write an email of 120 words responding to Kathy. Try to use as many types of phrases
you learn from the lesson as possible.

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