Unit 4: Verb Phrases
VERB PHRASES
Two types of verb phrases that you have already written will help you to add detail to sentences: Infinitive Phrases and Participial Phrases. Because each of them begins with a certain type of verb, you will refer to them as verb phrases.
Infinitive Phrases
Infinitive phrases begin with the infinitive form of a verb, to+verb:
- to swim
- to laugh
- to feel
We can make phrases from these infinitives by adding detail:
- to swim the length of the pool under water
- to laugh more often
- to feel valued and respected
We can then add these to sentences:
- To swim the length of the pool under water, he had to hold his breath for two full minutes.
- To laugh more often, the couple decided to watch more comedies.
- To feel valued and respected, students should share their talents and life experiences.
These same infinitive phrases can also go in a different position in the sentence to create a different emphasis. As with adverb subordinate clauses, if an infinitive phrase is placed at the end of the sentence, you do not use a comma:
- He had to hold his breath for two full minutes to swim the length of the pool under water.
- The couple decided to watch more comedies to laugh more often.
- Students should share their talents and life experiences to feel valued and respected.
Infinitive phrases will always contain and begin with to+verb and express a goal. You will find these helpful when you are writing about what you desire to have happen or are making a plea for something that needs to happen.
Participial Phrases
Participial phrases use the participial form of the verb. There are two types:
- Present: -ing verbs, as in “having a good time”
- Past: -ed verbs, as in “knocked out by a blow to the head”
Participial phrases will add action and excitement to your sentences. Look at a few examples:
- Overpowered by the strong urge to vomit, the boy ran outside.
- Running out of time, she wrote the first word that came to mind.
- Driving at nearly 120 miles per hour, the car swerved and narrowly missed a deer.
- Exhausted by the long day of rowing, he fell asleep immediately.
Notice how these sentences are more descriptive and appealing with participial phrases. You can use present and past participial phrases to expand and to add sophistication to your sentences.
Knowing infinitive and participial phrases can be helpful to you as you improve your writing. Remember, though, that when applying phrases to your writing, phrases, as opposed to clauses, will not stand on their own as a complete idea. Therefore, you will be using phrases to modify and add detail to your sentences.