Writing Effective Sentences

1
Writing Effective Sentences

• Unit 1

2
Lesson 2 Simple sentences with phrases (and
action verbs)

• OBJECTIVES
• After completing this lesson, you should be able
  to
• identify prepositional phrases in a simple
  sentence
• identify participial phrases in a simple sentence
• identify infinitive phrases in a simple sentence

3
2A The prepositional phrase

• A group of two or more related words that do not
  contain a subject/verb combination is known as a
  phrase. Phrases are classified into three major
  types prepositional, participial, and
  infinitive.
• Prepositional phrases begin with a prepositional
  and typically end with a noun or pronoun. The
  preposition connects its object (the noun or
  pronoun) to some other part of the sentence.

4

• The most commonly used prepositions are shown
  below

about around by in over under
after at during of through upon
against before for on to with
among between from out toward within
5

• The prepositional phrases in these simple
  sentences are enclosed in parentheses
• Most (of the members) completed their duties
  (before noon.)
• (In the morning) we drove the truck (to Los
  Angeles.)
• The driver spent (over ten hours) (behind the
  wheel) (of his car.)

6
Application 2-1

• Place parentheses around the prepositional
  phrases in these sentences.
• Their family has lived here for many years.
• All of our members paid their dues on time.
• Within a few minutes the plane arrived at the
  gate.

7

• We recognized her voice on the telephone.
• The police directed everyone to the side of the
  street.
• They left under orders from the governor.
• Through the years the society prospered under her
  leadership.
• Her mother looked for them among the trees behind
  the hill.

8

1. Within a few minutes the ground was soaked form
   the rain.
2. President Larson spoke against the measure in the
   afternoon.

9
2B The participial phrase

• Participles are special verb forms. Present
  participles end in ing past participles
  generally have the same ending as the past tense
  of the verb (in many cases, ed). Participial
  phrases begin with a participle and end with an
  object or with a modifier. Examples follow

10

• That car (standing there) costs a great deal.
• (Walking quietly,) they avoided (being heard.)
• (Amazed (by the judges decision,) the lawyer
  turned around.
• As shown in the third example sentence above, a
  phrase ix sometimes included within another
  phrase. In this case, a prepositional phrase is
  included in a participial phrase.

11
Application 2-2

• Place parentheses around the participial phrases
  in sentence 1-5.
• Those people applying late were turned down.
• Beginning tomorrow, deliveries will be made on
  Tuesdays.

12

1. All buildings requiring paint are located in the
   north part of town.
2. Needed immediately, she wasted no time getting
   there.
3. We ate every hamburger served on a fresh bun.

13
2C The infinitive phrase

• Infinitives are special verb forms that usually
  consist of the word to followed by a verb.
  Infinitive phrases begin with an infinitive and
  end with an object or a modifier.
• Examples of infinitive phrases in simple
  sentences follow

14

• Our new supervisor asked each person (to bring a
  notebook.)
• (To complete the job,) we were required (to work
  long hours.)
• The usher told us (to enter quietly.)
• He reminded us (to ask (for directions.)

15
Application 2-3

• Place parentheses around the infinitive phrases
  in the following sentences.
• Everyone expected to receive the shipment before
  Friday.
• I asked them to writer legibly.

16

1. We tried to stop the car in time to avoid the
   accident.
2. To get to the stage, we had to enter through the
   side door.
3. Ms. Baker was instructed to begin the meeting at
   two oclock.