Phrases Part-2

 Phrases

In the previous blog, we learned about the Noun phrase, Prepositional phrase, and Adjective phrase. In this blog, we will learn about the other three types of phrases. 

Types of Phrase 

1) Gerund Phrase 

2) Participial Phrase 

3) Infinitive Phrase 

Now let's learn about each of the three types of phrases in detail. 

1) Gerund Phrase 

A gerund phrase is formed when you are adding a couple of words to a gerund in a sentence, therefore forming a gerund phrase. 

Firstly, let's understand what is a gerund. 

What is a gerund? 

A gerund is a word that is in the verb form, that it functions as a noun in a sentence. It is basically a noun that is formed from a verb that has an ending in -ing. 

Rules for identifying : 

1) Gerunds are always nouns. 

2) Gerunds always act in -ing. 

3) Because a gerund is a noun, it can be an indirect object. 

Now let's have a look at the examples using a gerund phrase. 

Example: 

a) Allen is sleeping on the bed. 

In this sentence, the word sleeping is a gerund as it is a -ing word. The words on the bed are a couple of words added to sleeping hence making - sleeping on the bed a gerund phrase. 

b) His occupation is writing articles and reports. 

In this sentence, the word writing is a gerund as it is a -ing word. The words articles and reports are a couple of words added to writing hence making - writing articles and reports a gerund phrase. 

2) Participial Phrase 

Participial phrases are a group of words that act as an adjective. They give information about the nouns in a sentence. These phrases may also contain the past or the present participles. 

These phrases may end in -ed, -en, or -t. 

Example: 

a) The girls sitting by the lakeside were yelling. 

In this sentence, the word sitting by the lakeside is a participial phrase. This is because the words sitting by the lakeside are used to describe the place where the girls are sitting. 

b) I completed my project, sitting in my bedroom. 

In this sentence, the word sitting in my bedroom is a participial phrase. This is because the words sitting in my bedroom are used to describe the place where I completed the project. 

3) Infinitive Phrase 

An Infinitive phrase is a group of words that starts with a noun, adjective, or adverb. 

Can an Infinitive phrase be a verb? 

An infinitive phrase cannot function as a verb in a sentence. Instead, it can function as a noun. 

Example: 

a) I love to eat pancakes. 

In this sentence, the word to eat is an infinitive phrase. 

b) I used to hide in the corridor when we used to play here. 

In this sentence, the word  to hide is an infinitive phrase.