Verbals and Verbal Phrases

1. Identify the infinitive or infinitive phrase in the following sentence: I am eager to take any Saturday job. (A) am eager (B) any Saturday job (C) to take any Saturday job (D) none of the above

2. Identify the infinitive or infinitive phrase in the following sentence: To shell walnuts is difficult. (A) To shell walnuts (B) is difficult (C) shell (D) none of the above

3. Identify the participle or participial phrase in the following sentence: We noticed a duck waddling toward us. (A) We noticed a duck (B) a duck waddling (C) waddling toward us (D) none of the above

4. Identify the participle or participial phrase in the following sentence: The passage, translated into three languages, foretold a terrible tragedy. (A) the passage (B) into three languages (C) translated into three languages (D) none of the above.

5. Identify the gerund or gerund phrase in the following sentence: Jay enjoyed floating on the raft. (A) Jay enjoyed (B) floating on the raft (C) enjoyed floating

(D) none of the above

6. Identify the gerund or gerund phrase in the following sentence: Riding the Mad Butterfly upsets Becky's stomach. (A) Riding the Mad Butterfly (B) upsets Becky's stomach (C) Riding (D) none of the above

7. Choose the answer that tells how the capitalized phrase is used: Sandy, ENCOURAGED BY ALL OF US, told her story. (A) subject of verb (B) object of verb (C) adjective

8. Choose the answer that tells how the capitalized phrase is used: Mr. Wells assigned READING TWO CHAPTERS. (A) adjective (B) object of verb (C) adverb

9. Choose the answer that correctly describes the capitalized word or phrase in the following sentence: SueAnne came in out of the rain, DRIPPING WET. (A) participial phrase (B) gerund phrase

10. Choose the answer that correctly describes the capitalized word or phrase in the following sentence: CHEATING never gets you anywhere. (A) participial phrase (B) gerund phrase

The local police are talking to Tom. I think he is _____ for the crime. under suspicion to suspicion

from suspicion in suspicion

I'll make sure your instructions are followed _____.

at once to once from once in once Jack is clearly ____ when it comes to speaking a foreign language.

to a disadvantage from a disadvantage at a disadvantage in a disadvantage

Question Excerpt From Preposition/Appositive Phrase Quiz

Q.1) Jimmy his the magic wand under the table.
A.prepositional B.appositive C.neither

Q.2) Jimmy wanted to hide it from Gracie, his pet gopher.

A.prepositional B.appositive C.neither

Q.3) Gracie scares him because she's kind of creepy.

A.prepositional B.appositive C.neither

Q.4) His wand was given to him by his former student, Gino.
A.prepositional B.appositive C.neither

Q.5) Before long, Gracie found the wand hidden under the bed.
A.prepositinal B.appositive C.neither

Q.6) Gracie quickly turned him into a toad.

A.prepositional B.appositive C.neither

Q.7) I think i'm going to grow a mullet, a fashionable men's hairdo.

A.prepositional B.appositive C.neither

Q.8) I'll be transformed into a new man.

A.prepositional B.appositive C.neither

Q.9) I will look so cool while rollerblading down 79th St.

A.prepositionl B.appositive C.neither

Q.10) I can imagine my hair blowing in the wind!

A.prepositional B.appositive C.neither

Q.11) I hope to look just like Leon, my personal fashion icon.

A.prepositional B.appositive C.neither

To make the move easier, Monica packed her books in small boxes.

infinitive phrase appositive phrase ing addition prepositional phrase

At the end of the movie, the murderer confesses.

appositive phrase ing addition prepositional phrase infinitive phrase

Hoping to catch a ride home, Ken stood by the side of the road.

ing addition infinitive phrase appositive phrase prepositional phrase

Salted peanuts, one of my favorite snacks, are not very healthy.

prepositional phrase infinitive phrase ing addition appositive phrase

Sitting on the side of the small hill, the cottage has a lovely view.
infinitive phrase ing addition appositive phrase prepositional phrase

Janet Marshall, a local politician, is honest and fair.

infinitive phrase appositive phrase prepositional phrase ing addition

To rent the small apartment, we painted the kitchen and bedroom.

ing addition infinitive phrase prepositional phrase appositive phrase

Shifting from one leg to another, the runner waited for the race to begin.
ing addition infinitive phrase prepositional phrase appositive phrase

To prepare for the exam, Wendy studies for two hours each night.
appositive phrase ing addition prepositional phrase infinitive phrase

Movie Madness, a successful business, is open late on Saturdays.

ing addition appositive phrase infinitive phrase prepositional phrase

Without his coat and scarf, Matt will surely catch a cold.
appositive phrase ing addition infinitive phrase prepositional phrase

Along with his brothers, Will hosted his parents anniversary party.
infinitive phrase ing addition prepositional phrase appositive phrase

To prevent another robbery, we invested in a security system.

appositive phrase prepositional phrase infinitive phrase ing addition

Sinking quickly beneath the waves, the boat plummeted to the ocean floor.
ing addition appositive phrase

prepositional phrase infinitive phrase

Without a doubt, Amanda committed the crime.

appositive phrase prepositional phrase infinitive phrase ing addition

To make the move easier, Monica packed her books in small boxes. Your Answer: infinitive phrase

2.

At the end of the movie, the murderer confesses. Your Answer: prepositional phrase

3.

Hoping to catch a ride home, Ken stood by the side of the road. Your Answer: ing addition

4.

Salted peanuts, one of my favorite snacks, are not very healthy. Your Answer: appositive phrase

5.

Sitting on the side of the small hill, the cottage has a

lovely view. Your Answer: ing addition

6.

Janet Marshall, a local politician, is honest and fair. Your Answer: appositive phrase

7.

To rent the small apartment, we painted the kitchen and bedroom. Your Answer: (blank)

8.

Shifting from one leg to another, the runner waited for the race to begin. Your Answer: ing addition

9.

To prepare for the exam, Wendy studies for two hours each night. Your Answer: infinitive phrase

10.

Movie Madness, a successful business, is open late on Saturdays. Your Answer: appositive phrase

11.

Without his coat and scarf, Matt will surely catch a cold. Your Answer: prepositional phrase

12.

Along with his brothers, Will hosted his parents anniversary party. Your Answer: prepositional phrase

13.

To prevent another robbery, we invested in a security system. Your Answer: infinitive phrase

14.

Sinking quickly beneath the waves, the boat plummeted to the ocean floor. Your Answer: ing addition

15.

Without a doubt, Amanda committed the crime. Your Answer: prepositional phrase

Verb Phrase Quiz

Write the entire verb phase in the space provided. Remember that verb phrases are made up of a main verb plus one or more helping verbs. Sometimes one or more words may separate the parts of a verb phrase. Adverbs including "not" and "-n't" are never part of the verb phrase.

1.

By the end of Saturday's football game, our quarterback had completed six touchdown passes. (1 point)

2.

Drew might audition for a part in the school play.

(1 point)

3.

Karen can almost always memorize anything.

(1 point)

4.

Next month I will volunteer at Children's Hospital.

(1 point)

5.

My family has not invited John to the party.

(1 point)

6.

Many sea otters do live off the coast of California.

(1 point)

7.

The Kansas City Royals did win the 1985 World Series.

(1 point)

8.

My brother has forgotten his locker key again this week.

(1 point)

9.

Sarah may be running in the relay race tomorrow.

(1 point)

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

(1 point)

Identifying Verbal Phrases Click the answer button to see the answer.
1. There are many pressures and stresses that come with being a student in a foreign country. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

2. Dealing with a different language and culture, foreign students have additional difficulties in passing their courses. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

3. To understand their lessons, foreign students generally need twice as much time studying as their native classmates. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

4. Being away from their families and friends makes it difficult for foreign students to concentrate. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

5. Eating different foods and being exposed to different viruses often causes illness among foreign students. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

6. There are several things students can do to minimize their stress. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

7. When a situation becomes too serious, try making a joke.

a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

8. Often said to be the best medicine, laughter can improve a stressful situation. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

9. Putting on music can also calm you when you feel overwhelmed. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

10. Changing the environment, music can soothe your nervous tension. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

11. Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat and muscle tension can be reduced by breathing deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

12. A stressful day can be well-ended with taking a long, hot bath. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

13. Another defense against stress is to develop good eating habits. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

14. Eating several small meals during the day helps keep your energy level up. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

15. Two habits, getting enough sleep and eating healthy foods, are critical for stress management. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

16. Some people find that singing a song, especially a childhood favorite, will reduce anger and frustration. a. infinitive phrase b. gerund phrase c. participial phrase

Verbal (and other) Phrases

Click within the small circle to the left of your choice for each answer. A javascript box will appear to tell you that your choice is correct or incorrect. After clicking "OK" within the javascript alert, you may try another answer or proceed to the next question if your first choice was correct. The phrase "prescriptively correct" means that other possibilities might be acceptable in informal writing or speech, but the prescriptively correct option would be most recommended for formal, academic writing.

If you would like to review definitions of the basic parts of speech before taking this quiz (or at any time during it), click HERE. 1. In the sentence "John likes exercising at the YMCA," the underlined word is correctly classified as which of the following? A. participle B. gerund C. main verb D. infinitive E. auxiliary verb 2. In the sentence "Waiting for the late bus, I decided finally to learn how to drive," the underlined word is correctly classified as which of the following? A. participle B. gerund C. main verb D. infinitive E. auxiliary verb 3. In the sentence "He was eager to leave for vacation," which of the following is true? A. A participle serves as an adverb. B. An infinitive serves as an adjective. C. An infinitive serves as a direct object. D. A participle serves as an adjective. E. An infinitive serves as an adverb. 4. In the sentence "I hope to vacation in Canada next year," which of the following is true? A. A participle serves as an adverb. B. An infinitive serves as an adverb. C. An infinitive serves as a direct object.

D. A participle serves as an indirect object. E. An infinitive serves as an indirect object. 5. What is true of the following example? "She reads the journals to watch professional trends." A. It contains a participial phrase functioning as an adjective. B. It contains a prepositional phrase functioning as an adjective. C. It contains a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverb. D. It contains an infinitive phrase functioning as an adverb. E. It contains an infinitive phrase functioning as an adjective. 6. Which of the following sentences is prescriptively correct? A. I appreciate your taking the time to talk with me. B. I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. C. Both of the above D. Neither of the above 7. In the sentence "John, who was hired to deal with such problems, was intending to work on the project today," the underlined element is correctly classified as which of the following? A. A clause B. A phrase C. Both of the above D. Neither of the above 8. In the sentence "Mary, the latest person to be hired, will probably be the first person to be fired," the underlined element is correctly classified as which of the following? A. A prepositional phrase B. A participial phase C. An appositive phrase D. All of the above E. None of the above

9. In the sentence "My father, refusing to believe that someone had stolen his truck from our driveway, rushed out the front door to check for himself," the underlined element is correctly classified as which of the following? A. A prepositional phrase B. A participial phase C. An appositive phrase D. All of the above E. None of the above 10. In the sentence "The boy on the bicycle rode through my wife's perennial garden," which of the following is true? A. A prepositional phase functions adjectivally. B. A prepositional phrase functions adverbially C. Both of the above D. Neither of the above
Exercise 23.2: Verbals and verbal phrases
This activity contains 10 questions.

Identify the verbal phrase in the following sentence. Jammed with commuter traffic, the bridge out of the city collapsed suddenly.
the bridge out of the city

the bridge out of the city collapsed suddenly

collapsed suddenly

Jammed with commuter traffic

Identify the verbal in the following sentence. The medics' first priority was treating people with serious injuries.
priority

serious

injuries

treating

Identify the verbal or verbal phrase in the following sentence. To lift debris off of the cars, rescue workers needed special equipment.
off of the cars

rescue workers needed special equipment

To lift debris off of the cars

Identify the type of verbal phrase in bold. The medics' first priority was treating people with serious injuries.
participial phrase

gerund phrase

infinitive phrase

Identify the type of verbal phrase in bold. To lift the debris off some of the cars rescue workers needed special equipment.
infinitive phrase

gerund phrase

participial phrase

Identify the type of verbal phrase in bold. Separated from their parents and sobbing with fear, children wandered aimlessly in the streets.
participial phrase

infinitive phrase

gerund phrase

Identify the correct function of the verbal phrase in bold. Separated from their parents and sobbing with fear, children wandered aimlessly in the streets.
Adverb phrase

Adjective phrase

Noun phrase

Verb phrase

Identify the correct function of the verbal phrase in bold. The rescue workers tried to calm the children.
Noun phrase

Adjective phrase

Adverb phrase

Verb phrase

Identify the correct function of the verbal phrase in bold. Jammed with commuter traffic, bridges collapsed suddenly during rush hour.
Adverb phrase

Noun phrase

Verb phrase

Adjective phrase

Identify the correct function of the verbal phrase in bold. Lifting the debris off some of the cars required special equipment.
Verb phrase

Noun phrase

Adverb phrase

Adjective phrase

Verb Phrase Examples

A verb phrase is the portion of a sentence that contains both the verb and either a direct or indirect object (the verbs dependents). Were going to take a look at what verb phrases are, and then view some verb phrase examples.
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Verb Phrases
Verbs are words that demonstrate an action, like sing, dance, smell, talk, and eat. They serve as a link between the subject of the verb and information about that subject. The information is usually descriptive. In order to show activities that can be done, active verbs are used, while linking verbs describe conditions.

She smells the pizza. (active) The wet dog smells awful. (linking) He appears on screen as an actor. (active) Tony appears angry. (linking) Verb phrases take the verb one step further by comprising the verb, plus the complement, object, or adverb. Verb phrases, such as "She was walking quickly to the mall" comprise the verb (walking) and the complement (to the mall)
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Verb Phrase Examples

A verb phrase can be the predicate of the clause or sentence. A verb phrase can also be a phrase that functions as an adverb or adjective and contains a verb and its complements, objects, or modifiers.

Phrase Is the Predicate of the Sentence

Following are some verb phrase examples where the verb phrase is the predicate of a sentence. In this case, the verb phrase consists of the main verb plus any auxiliary, or helping, verbs.

She was walking quickly to the mall. He should wait before going swimming. Those girls are not trying very hard. Ted might eat the cake. You must go right now. You cant eat that! My mother is fixing us some dinner. Words were spoken. These cards may be worth hundreds of dollars! The teacher is writing a report. You have woken up everyone in the neighborhood.
Phrase Functions as an Adverb or Adjective

Some verb phrases have a single function which means it can act like an adverb or an adjective. The phrase would include the verb and any modifiers, complements, or objects.

Texting on his phone, the man swerved into a ditch. As the cat watched, the two puppies fought over a bone. The small dog was reluctant to learn new things. When he arrives, we can try to build a fort. Finally, we can afford to buy a new house. Walking on the ice, she slipped and fell. Open the door to let the fresh air in. To make lemonade, you first need some lemons. It takes two people to tango. All of these different verb phrases demonstrate how the dependents of the verb provide important useful information for the reader about the action in the sentence. Verb phrases help to make your text more informative and meaningful and they are essential to clear writing.