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Grammar in Context

The document discusses different types of phrases including noun phrases, adjective phrases, and adverb phrases. It provides definitions and examples of each. For noun phrases, it explains that a noun phrase contains a head noun and optional modifiers. It also discusses the functions of noun phrases as subjects, objects, or complements. For adjective phrases, it defines them as groups of words headed by an adjective that modify a noun or pronoun. Examples of different types of adjective phrases are provided.

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Aina Masri
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
64 views55 pages

Grammar in Context

The document discusses different types of phrases including noun phrases, adjective phrases, and adverb phrases. It provides definitions and examples of each. For noun phrases, it explains that a noun phrase contains a head noun and optional modifiers. It also discusses the functions of noun phrases as subjects, objects, or complements. For adjective phrases, it defines them as groups of words headed by an adjective that modify a noun or pronoun. Examples of different types of adjective phrases are provided.

Uploaded by

Aina Masri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Types of Phrases

Week 5 (7/3/22-11/3/22)
*
Grammar for Reports: Phrases and Clauses

Types of Phrases:
•Noun Phrase
•Adjective Phrase
•Adverb/Adverbial Phrase
•Prepositional Phrase
Noun Phrase - Definition
What is a Noun Phrase?
A noun phrase is a group of two or more words headed by a noun that
includes modifiers (e.g., 'the,' 'a,' 'of them,' 'with her’).
Noun Phrase - Definition

A noun phrase plays the role of a noun. In a noun phrase,


the modifiers can come before or after the noun.

Note: A noun phrase can also be headed by a pronoun. For


example:
• the dog with fleas
• the one with fleas
(This is a noun phrase headed by a pronoun.)
Examples of Noun Phrase

Here is a list of noun phrases. In this list, every noun phrase consists of a head
noun (in black) and at least one modifier.
• People: the soldier, my cousin, dopey Alan, the lawyer with the big nose
• Animals: that aardvark, one rat, a shark, funny Mickey
• Places: the house in the corner, inner London, dirty factory, no shelter
• Things: this table, our London Bridge, the sharp chisel, that nitrogen, last month,
an inch, her cooking
• Ideas: utter confusion, some kindness, your faith, the Theory of Relativity, a joy
So, a noun with any sort of modifier (even it's just "a" or "the") is a noun phrase.
Functions of Noun Phrase

Like any noun, a noun phrase can function as a subject, an object, or


a complement within a sentence. In each example below, the noun phrase
is in yellow and the head noun is in black.
1. Singing in the bath relaxes me.
• Here, the noun phrase is the subject of the verb "relaxes.")

2. I know the back streets.


• (Here, the noun phrase is the direct object of the verb "know.")

3.She was the devil in disguise.


• (Here, the noun phrase is a subject complement following the linking
verb "was.")
Functions of Noun Phrase

❑ A phrase has at least two words and functions as one part of speech.

It follows therefore that a noun phrase functions as a noun in a sentence.


We can test this because we know that a noun can be replaced by
a pronoun (e.g., he, she, it, them). Looking at the on the previous slide,
we can replace each noun phrase with a pronoun.
• It relaxes me.
• I know them.
• She was him.
More examples of Noun Phrase
Here are some more examples of noun phrases as subjects, objects, and
complements:
1. This man has a nice smile, but he's got iron teeth.
• ("This man" is the subject of the verb "has." The phrase "a nice smile" is the direct
object of "has." The noun phrase "iron teeth" is the direct object of the verb "got."
Here's the "pronoun test": He has one, but he's got them.)
2. I never learned from a man who agreed with me.
• (The noun phrase "a man who agreed with me" is the object of the preposition
"from." Here's the "pronoun test": I never learned from him.)
3. Every man of courage is a man of his word.
• ("Every man of courage" is the subject of the verb "is." The noun phrase "a man of
his word" is a subject complement following the linking verb "is." Here's the "pronoun
test": He is one.)
More Examples of Noun Phrase

It's not unusual for nouns and noun phrases to be


embedded within noun phrases. Looking at the last
example, "courage" and "word" are both nouns, but
they are not the head nouns of the phrases. They
are both objects of the preposition "of," sitting
in prepositional phrases that modify the head
nouns.
More Examples of Noun Phrase

Here are some more examples of noun phrases:


• The best defense against the atom bomb is not to be there when it goes off.
(In this example, there is a noun phrase within a noun phrase. The noun phrase
"the atom bomb" is the object of the preposition "against." The prepositional
phrase "against the atom bomb" modifies "defense.")

• I don't have a bank account, because I don't know my mother's maiden name.
(In this example, both noun phrases are direct objects.)

• The best car safety device is a rear-view mirror with a cop in it.
(In this example, the first noun phrase is the subject, and the second is a subject
complement.)
More Examples of Noun Phrase

Noun phrases can be headed by pronouns as well as nouns, and they


can be quite long.
• Anybody who wants the presidency so much that he'll spend
two years organizing and campaigning for it is not to be trusted
with the office.
(Here, "anybody" is a pronoun. The rest of the noun phrase is an
adjective clause modifying the head "noun." Here's the "pronoun
test": He is not to be trusted with the office.)
Task 1

https://youtu.be/edU_QGQwRsw

Watch the video above and explain the meaning of noun


phrase and functions of noun phrase. Give your own
examples of 5 noun phrase.
Common Mistakes with Noun Phrase
When a noun phrase is the subject of a verb, ensure subject-verb
agreement with the head noun.

1. The Spitfire's 9-yard belt of bullets give us the term "the full nine yards.“
(The head noun in this noun phrase is "belt." All the other words in the noun
phrase
are modifiers. As "belt" is singular, the verb "give" is wrong. It should be
"gives.")

2. The Spitfire's 9-yard belt of bullets gives us the term "the full nine yards."
Do not be tricked into agreeing the verb with the nearest noun (here, "bullets").
When a noun phrase is the subject of a verb, the head noun governs the verb.
Adjective Phrase - Definition
What Is an Adjective Phrase?
• An adjective phrase is a group of words headed by an adjective that describes
a noun or a pronoun.
Adjective Phrase - Examples
Examples of Adjective Phrases
Here are some examples to help explain the difference between single-word adjectives,
adjective phrases, adjectival phrases, and adjective clauses (In each adjective phrase,
the head adjective is shown in black. Also, in each adjective clause, the subject is blue, and
the verb is green.)
Example 1
• We are expecting sunny days. (single word adjective)
• We are expecting some extremely sunny days. (adjective phrase)
• We are expecting days with lots of sunshine. (adjectival phrase)
• We are expecting days that will melt the tarmac. (adjective clause)
Example 2
• Bright stars illuminated the field. (single word adjective)
• Beautifully clear stars full of wonder illuminated the field. (adjective phrase)
• Stars with the intensity of car headlamps illuminated the field.(adjectival phrase)
• Stars that shone like car headlamps illuminated the field. (adjective clause)
Examples of Adjectives Phrases

• She had extremely blue eyes.


(This adjective phrase describes the noun “eyes”. The adjective "blue"
heads the adjective phrase.)
• She wore very expensive shoes.
(This adjective phrase describes (or "modifies“) the noun "shoes." The
adjective "expensive" heads the adjective phrase.)
• Sarah was hostile towards me.
(This adjective phrase modifies the noun "Sarah." The adjective
"hostile" heads the adjective phrase. Like a normal adjective, an adjective
phrase can be used before the noun it's modifying (as in the first two
examples) or afterwards (as here).)
More Examples of Adjective Phrase

• An overly sensitive heart is an unhappy possession on this shaky earth.


(This adjective phrase modifies the noun "heart.")
• I'm a fairly intelligent person, but I don't think my grades reflected that.
(This adjective phrase modifies the noun "person.")
• People are so sick of these Twitter tirades. They want to be proud of
their leaders.
(The first adjective phrase modifies the noun "people." The second
modifies the pronoun "they." Obviously, adjectives can modify pronouns
too.)
• There is always someone better than you and more talented than you.
(The adjective phrases modify the pronoun "someone.")
More about Adjective Phrases

In an adjective phrase, the head adjective can be at the start, the


middle or the end of the phrase.
• I am sad about the result. (start)
• I am awfully sad about the result. (middle)
• I am very sad. (end)
The other words inside the adjective phrase are known as the
dependents of the head adjective. They are
typically adverbs ("awfully" and "very") or prepositional
phrases ("about the result").
More about Adjective Phrases

Attributive Adjective
An attributive adjective typically sits before the noun it is modifying.
• The beautifully carved frames are priceless.
(The adjective phrase is before the noun it modifies ("frames"). This is an
attributive adjective phrase.)

Predicative Adjective
A predicative adjective typically sits after the noun it is modifying.
• The frames are beautifully carved and priceless.
(The adjective phrase is after the noun it modifies ("The frames"). This is a
predicative adjective phrase.)
More about Adjective Phrases
When an adjective phrase (or any adjective for that matter) appears before its noun,
it is highly likely to be an attributive adjective. However, an adjective that appears
after its noun can also be attributive.
• The frames beautifully carved by monks are priceless.
(The adjective phrase is after the noun it modifies ("The frames"), but this time it's
an attributive adjective.)
Even though most attributive adjectives sit before their nouns, the position of an
adjective does not determine whether it is attributive or predicative. An attributive
adjective sits inside the noun phrase of the noun it modifies, and a predicative
adjective sits outside the noun phrase of the noun it modifies. Typically, a
predicative adjective is linked to its noun with a linking verb (e.g., "to be," "to look,"
"to smell," "to taste").T
• The dog covered in mud looks pleased with himself.
(In this example, the first adjective phrase – even though it's positioned after its
noun ("The dog") – is attributive because it appears inside the noun phrase "The
dog covered in mud." The second is predicative because it appears outside the
noun phrase of the noun it modifies. Note how it is linked to its noun with a linking
verb ("looks").)
Common Mistakes When Using Adjectives Phrase

When an adverb ending "-ly" (and lots do) is modifying an adjective, don't
use a hyphen to join it to the adjective. The hyphen is unjustified (in the
interest of writing efficiency). However, if your adverb is one like "well,"
"fast," "best," or "better" (i.e., one that could feasibly be mistaken as an
adjective), then use a hyphen to eliminate any ambiguity.
• She has beautifully-formed feet.
(The hyphen is unjustified when the adverb ends "-ly.")
• She has well-formed feet.
(The hyphen is justified to make it clear you mean the adverb "well," i.e.,
healthily, and not the adjective "well," i.e., healthy.)
Task 2

https://youtu.be/69IN9KS79uw

Watch the above video on adjective phrase.


Explain the meaning and functions of adjective
phrase. Give your own examples of 5 adjective
phrase.
Adverbial/Adverb Phrase
What Is an Adverbial Phrase?
• An adverbial phrase is a group of words that functions as an adverb. Adverbial phrases
contrast with adverbial clauses and single-word adverbs. Unlike an adverbial clause, an
adverbial phrase does not contain a subject and a verb.
Examples of Adverbial Phrase
• Jack will sit in silence.
(The adverbial phrase "in silence" is functioning as an adverb of manner. It tells
us how Jack sat.)
Compare the example above with these examples:
• Jack will sit quietly.
(This is a normal adverb. This example has been included to prove that "in silence" is an
adverb.)
• I will sit like a monk meditates.
(This is an adverbial clause. It includes a subject ("a monk") and a verb ("meditates").)
In the examples above, all the adverbs tell us how the person will sit. They are all
adverbs of manner. When used to modify a verb, an adverb (including an adverbial
phrase and an adverbial clause) will usually describe when, where, how, or why
something happens.
Examples of Adverbial Phrases, Adverbial
Clauses & Adverbs

Here are some examples to help explain the difference between adverbial
phrases, adverbial clauses , and single-word adverbs. (In these examples,
the subjects are blue, and the verbs are green. Note that none of the
phrases has a subject or a verb.)
• Show Simon your project in the morning. (adverbial phrase)
• Show Simon your project tomorrow. (adverb)
• Show Simon your project when he arrives. (adverbial clause)
Task 3

https://youtu.be/1an0ZjR0zek

Watch the above video about adverbial phrase.


Explain the meaning and functions of adverbial
phrase. Give your own examples of 5 adverbial
phrase.
Types of Adverbial Phrase

When (Adverbial Phrase of Time)


An adverbial phrase of time states when something happens or how often. For example:
• I'll do it in a minute.
• After the game, the king and pawn go into the same box.
• Do not wait for the last judgment. It takes place every day.

Where (Adverbial Phrase of Place)


An adverbial phrase of place states where something happens. For example:
• I used to work in a fire-hydrant factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place.
• Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings.
Types of Adverbial Phrase

How (Adverbial Phrase of Manner)


An adverbial phrase of manner states how something is done. For example:
• He would always talk with a nationalistic tone.
• He sings in a low register.
• People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one.

Why (Adverbial Phrase of Reason)


An adverbial phrase of reason states why something is done. For example:
• He went to the island to find gold.
• He plays up to impress his class mates.
• We tell ourselves stories in order to live.
Common Formats for Adverbial Phrases
Here are three common formats for adverbial phrases:
• Prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase is headed by a preposition (e.g.,
"in," "on," "near," "by," "with"). For example:
• He was standing in the corner.
• She is winning without trying.
• Infinitive phrase. An infinitive phrase is headed by an infinitive verb (e.g.,"to
play," "to jump"). For example:
• She went to Florence to paint.
• Fill in this form to join our club.
• An adverb with an intensifier. An adverb with an intensifier (e.g.,"very,"
"extremely," "really") is also an adverbial phrase. For example:
• He answered you very quickly.
• She danced extremely beautifully.
Common Mistakes with Adverbial Phrase
1. Be careful not to create a misplaced modifier.
A misplaced modifier is a word (or group of words) that does not link clearly to what it is
intended to modify. A misplaced modifier makes the meaning of a sentence ambiguous or
wrong. Look at this example:

• Jack, coax the monkey with the banana.


(The highlighted text is a misplaced modifier. It is meant to be an adverbial phrase
modifying the verb "coax." It is supposed to tell Jack how to coax the monkey. However,
the highlighed text could feasibly be an adjective phrase describing the monkey, telling
Jack which monkey to coax.)

• Jack, use the banana to coax the monkey.


(Often, rewording is best. This corrected example does not feature an adverbial phrase.)
Common Mistakes with Adverbial Phrase
2. Use commas correctly with your adverbial clauses.
When your adverbial phrase (or clause for that matter) is at the front of your
sentence, it is known as a "fronted adverbial." A fronted adverbial is usually offset
with a comma. For example:
• At 4 o'clock, open the gates.
• In the middle of New York, temperatures reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
When your adverbial phrase is at the back, the tendency is to omit the comma. For
example:
• Open the gates at 4 o'clock.
• Temperatures reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of New York.
Here are examples with adverbial phrases at both ends:
• In July 1936, temperatures reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of New
York.
• In the middle of New York, temperatures reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit in July
1936.
Common Mistakes with Adverbial Phrase
3. Save two words by writing "to" instead of "in order to.“
To reduce your word count, you can usually replace "in order to" with "to" without any loss of
meaning.
• The mountaineers spent two months with the air-sea rescue team in order to gain
experience.
Even though it adds to your word count, you should not delete "in order" every time. Using "in
order to" makes it clear that the text that follows is the reason for performing the action. (It's
like using "so as to.") Using just "to" runs the risk of creating a misplaced modifier. Look at
this example:
• Jack designed a device in order to find underground water.
(With "in order" deleted, we're now unsure whether Jack designed an underground-water
finder (i.e., "to find underground water" is an adjective describing "device") or whether he
designed a device that can be used to detect underground water as per his intention (i.e., "to
find underground water" is an adverb modifying "designed"). With "in order to," that ambiguity
disappears. It can only be the latter. )There's another advantage to using "in order to." It puts
a little more emphasis on the reason for the action. So, save two words if you need to, but be
careful not to create a misplaced modifier.
Common Mistakes with Adverbial Phrase

4. Delete your intensifier, unless you really need it.

When writing formally, the level of intensity should be achieved


through word choice (e.g., by using strong adjectives instead of
intensifiers). Using intensifiers is widely considered as lazy writing.

•She was very angry.


(This is considered as lazy writing.)

•She was livid.


(There is no need for an intensifier with a strong adjective like
"livid.")
Prepositional Phrase

What Is a Prepositional Phrase?


A prepositional phrase is a group of words that consists of:
• a preposition
• the object of the preposition
• any modifiers

In this example, the prepositional phrase is shaded, and the preposition is in bold:
• The witch sat on her broom.
("On" is a preposition, "broom" is the object of the preposition, and "her" is the
modifier.)

Definition of Prepositional Phrase
Examples of Prepositional Phrase

Examples of Prepositional Phrases


In each example, the prepositional phrase is shaded and the
preposition is bold.
• A singer with passion
• A town near London
• Keep in time.
• He acts without thinking.
Task 4

https://youtu.be/C6m5-SszI_8

Watch the video above. What is the meaning of


prepositional phrase? What are the functions of
prepositional phrase? Give your own examples of 5
prepositional phrase.
More Examples of Prepositional Phrase

It is a little bit more complicated than shown above because the noun
can be anything that plays the role of a noun. For example:
• It's a present from her.
(Remember that the "noun" can be a pronoun.)
• She stole it from the man across the street.
(Here, the noun is a noun phrase.)
• It's obvious from what he said.
(Here, the noun is a noun clause.)
More Examples of Prepositional Phrase
The noun that follows the preposition (i.e., everything that's shaded but not bolded in the examples) is
called the object of a preposition. There will often be modifiers in the object of the preposition making it
a noun phrase. For example:
• I sat with Simba.
(There are no modifiers in this example.)
• I sat with the wonderful Simba.
(With the modifiers "the" and "wonderful," the object of the preposition is now a noun phrase.)
Here is another example:
• He beat Lee without trying.
(There are no modifiers in this example. The object of the preposition is a noun. In this case, it’s
a gerund.)
• He beat Lee without overly trying.
(With the modifier "overly," the object of the preposition is a noun phrase.)
The Function of Prepositional Phrases

1. Prepositional phrases function as either adjectives modifying


nouns or adverbs modifying verbs.
For example:
Prepositional phrases functioning as adjectives that modify nouns:
• Do you mean that boy in the corner?
• I know the policeman with the radio.
In these two examples, the prepositional phrases are functioning as
adjectives. They are modifying nouns ("that boy" and "the policeman"). As
they are multi-word adjectives, these prepositional phrases are a type
of adjective phrase.
The Function of Prepositional Phrases

2. Prepositional phrases functioning as adverbs that modify


verbs
• I live near the stadium.
• She speaks with notable enthusiasm.
In these two examples, the prepositional phrases are functioning as
adverbs. They are modifying verbs ("live" and "speaks"). As they are
multi-word adverbs, these prepositional phrases are a type
of adverbial phrase.
The Function of Prepositional Phrases

3. Prepositional Phrases As Adjectives


Here are some more prepositional phrases functioning as adjectives:
• Please buy the scarf with dots.
(The prepositional phrase describes the noun "scarf." We could have
written "dotted scarf," which proves that "with dots" is functioning as an
adjective.)
• The man on the radio has a boring voice.
(The prepositional phrase describes the noun "man.")
• Give me one of the brown ones.
(The prepositional phrase describes the pronoun "one.")
The Function of Prepositional Phrases

4. Prepositional Phrases As Adverbs


• Here are some more prepositional phrases functioning as adverbs:
• Lee raised his small mackerel with utmost pride.
(The prepositional phrase modifies the verb "raised." It is an adverb of
manner; i.e., it tells us how he raised it. We could have written "proudly
raised," which proves that "with utmost pride" is functioning as an adverb.)
• Before the war, Chris played football for Barnstoneworth United.
(The prepositional phrase modifies the verb "played." It is an adverb of
time; i.e., it tells us when he played.)
The Function of Prepositional Phrases

• Dawn is tired from the hike.


(The prepositional phrase modifies the verb "is." It is an adverb of
reason; i.e., it tells us why she is tired.)
• Lee lives in that fridge.
(The prepositional phrase modifies the verb "lives." It is an adverb
of place; i.e., it tells us where he lives.)
Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases
1. Be careful when a prepositional phrase precedes a verb.
• A box of knives were found at the scene.
(Here, the subject is not "knives." It is "box." Therefore, the verb should be singular and not
plural. This should read "A box of knives was found at the scene.")
• A combination of factors were the cause of the crash.
("Combination" is singular. The subject is not "factors.")
• Bernard Shaw hasn't an enemy in the world, and none of his friends like him.
(Marking this wrong is a little harsh, but try to treat "none" as singular (if for no other reason
than many of your grammar-savvy readers will want it to be singular). Therefore, "none of
his friends likes him" is a bit sharper.)
Remember. Don't treat the noun in your prepositional phrase (here, "knives," "factors," and
"friends") as the subject of your verb.
Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases
2. The noun in a prepositional phrase influences the verb with an expression
like "most of," "some of," "half of," "majority of" and "99 percent of.“

Be aware that the noun in your prepositional phrase can influence the verb when the
subject is an indefinite pronoun (i.e., a word like "all," "any," "more," "most," and
"some"), which can be singular or plural depending on context.
• Most of the cake has been eaten.
(The noun in the prepositional phrase ("cake") is singular. Therefore, "most" is treated
as singular.)

• Most of the cakes have been eaten.


(The noun in the prepositional phrase ("cakes") is plural. Therefore,"most" is treated
as plural.)
Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases

• Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts.


(The main noun in the prepositional phrase ("mistakes") is plural. Therefore,
"some" is treated as plural. Note that "of my life" is just a prepositional phrase
functioning as an adjective modifying "mistakes." The prepositional phrase "of the
worst mistakes" is the one modifying "some," which is the subject of our verb
("have").
When modified by a prepositional phrase, an indefinite pronoun (e.g., "most,"
"some," "all") copies the number of the noun in the prepositional phrase.
This ruling also applies to common terms like "half of," "the majority of" and "a
percentage of," which can also be singular or plural. Such expressions are
singular when they refer to something singular but plural when they refer to
something plural. For example:
Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases

• Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right
more than half the time.
("Half" is plural because "people" is plural.)
• Half of the world knows not how the other half lives.
("Half" is singular because "world" is singular.)
• Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.
("Ninety percent" is plural because "politicians" is plural.)
• My guess is that well over eighty percent of the human race goes without having
a single original thought.
("Eighty percent" is singular because "human race" is singular.)
Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases
3. Avoid ambiguity when placing your prepositional phrase.
• One morning, I shot an elephant in my pyjamas. How he got into my pyjamas I'll never
know.
This well-cited joke by Groucho Marx plays on the fact that prepositional phrases can be
ambiguous. Groucho knew we'd assume "in my pyjamas" was an adverb modifying "shot."
His punchline, however, tells us that it was actually an adjective modifying "elephant."
Ambiguity with prepositional phrases can be a real issue. Look at this example:
• Joe fed the shark in the cage.
(Does the prepositional phrase tell us where Joe was when he fed the shark, or does it tell
us which shark Joe fed? In other words, is "in the cage" functioning as an adverb modifying
"fed" or an adjective modifying "shark? If you read it as an adverb (i.e., telling us where Joe
was), you might assume there was just one shark. If you read it as an adjective (i.e., "the
shark that was in the cage"), you would assume there were other sharks.)
Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases
You can usually eliminate ambiguity by rewording your sentence.
• Joe was in the cage when he fed the shark.
• Joe fed the shark that was in the cage.
Often, context means there is no genuine ambiguity.
• Never ruin an apology with an excuse.
(This is clearly telling you how not to ruin an apology as opposed to telling what type of
apology not to ruin (i.e., the prepositional phrase is functioning as an adverb not an
adjective.)
• Joe hit the burglar with a hammer.
(So, who had the hammer? Often, a standalone sentence will be ambiguous (as this
example is), but if the surrounding context eliminates the ambiguity, you will get away with
not rewording your sentence.)
Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases
The ambiguous examples so far have involved uncertainty over whether the prepositional
phrase is functioning as an adverb or an adjective. Be aware that ambiguity (often humorous
ambiguity) also occurs when it's unclear what a prepositional phrase is modifying.
• We will not sell paraffin to anyone in glass bottles.
(What? There are people who live in glass bottles?)
• Simon and his mother were reunited after 52 years in McDonald's.
(What? They spent 52 years in McDonald's?)
When you use a prepositional phrase, do a quick check to see whether it could potentially be
modifying something else in your sentence. Try to bear in mind that even though it's clear to
you what it's meant to be modifying, it might not be clear to your readers.

If your prepositional phrase is ambiguous, move it next to (usually immediately to the right of)
whatever it's meant to be modifying. That usually does the trick. If that makes your sentence
too unwieldy, reword your sentence.
Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases

These examples have been fixed by moving the prepositional phrase:


• We will not sell paraffin in glass bottles to anyone.
• Simon and his mother were reunited in McDonald's after 52 years.

Let's try that with the example "Joe hit the burglar with a hammer":
• Joe hit with a hammer the burglar.
(This is too unwieldy. We need to reword it. "Joe used a hammer to
hit the burglar" is an option.)
Tutorial 1 – Individual Work

Try out the exercises in the links below:

• https://www.englishgrammar.org/noun-phrases-exercise/

• https://www.englishgrammar.org/adjective-phrases-worksheet/

• https://www.englishpractice.com/quiz/adverb-phrases-exercise/

• https://www.englishgrammar.org/prepositional-phrases-exercise/
Tutorial 2 – Group Work

Situation
The staff in your company have discussed and decided on two places
to visit for the year-end get-together. Write a report of about 350
words to the Manager of your company on the advantages and
disadvantages of visiting these two places. Use the 4 types of
phrases (noun, adjective, adverbial and prepositional) that you
have learned in the report. Identify and highlight the 4 different
types of phrases used.
Links for e-Learning

• https://youtu.be/ne-FgP2wifU (Noun Phrase)

• https://youtu.be/n0c6xQEbwy4 (Adjective Phrase)

• https://youtu.be/DL0ac9h4nNg (Adverb Phrase)

• https://youtu.be/QQPgYPpCF3Q (Prepositional Phrase)

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