EXERCISE A In each of the following sentences, underline the two prepositional phrases.

Draw
an arrow from each phrase to the word or words it modifies. Then, on the line provided,
identify each phrase by writing ADJ for adjective or ADV for adverb.
 
Example ADV. ADJ
 
ADV 1. At times we treat objects as if they were living creatures with human traits.
ADJ 2. In reports writers often give mythological names to heavenly bodies.
ADV 3. Imagine how drab the reports of asteroids would be without mythical names.
ADJ 4. We might read in our daily newspapers, “Asteroid Approaches Surface of Sun.”
ADJ 5. Instead, we can read livelier headlines like this one: “Icarus Flies Toward Sol.”
 
EXERCISE B In each of the following sentences, identify the underlined verbal phrase by writing
above it PART for participial phrase, GER for gerund phrase, or INF for infinitive phrase.
 
Example
 
1. As I found out last summer, living through a hurricane is a nerve-shattering
experience!GER
2. The hurricane winds, reaching speeds of one hundred miles an hour, pounded our
town.GER
3. After wading through ankle-deep water for a mile, we took refuge in a school
building.GER
4. The school building, solidly constructed of brick and steel, sustained little
damage.PART
5. We were happy to discover that everyone had survived!INF
 
EXERCISE C Most of the following sentences contain an appositive phrase. Draw one line under
each appositive phrase and two lines under the word or words to which the phrase refers. If the
sentence contains no appositive phrase, write None at the end of the sentence.
 
Example 1. Henry W. Longfellow wrote “Paul Revere’s Ride,” a poem about the
beginning of the American Revolution.
 
1. The Cullinan diamond, the largest rough diamond ever found, was cut into about a
hundred smaller stones.

2. Have you ever read “Dreams,” a short poem by Langston Hughes? None

3. I read a moving speech by Chief Joseph, the famous leader of the Nez Perce. None
 4. The Museum of Science and Industry, located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, is
near the University of Chicago.

5. The lady-slipper, a common American wildflower, is a species of orchid.

Review B: Identifying Phrases

EXERCISE A In each of the following sentences, underline the two prepositional phrases. Draw
an arrow from each phrase to the word or words it modifies. Then, on the line provided,
identify each phrase by writing ADJ for adjective or ADV for adverb.
 
Example ADV. ADJ
 
ADV 1. I have developed some of those ideas into short stories.
ADV 2. I wrote a story about an imaginary train ride across the country.
ADJ 3. The finest entry in my journal is an account of a young astronaut’s moonwalk.
ADV 4. Someday I might send a copy of the story to a magazine.
ADJ 5. At the present time I am the only reader of my journal.
 
EXERCISE B In each of the following sentences, identify the underlined verbal phrase by writing
above it PART for participial phrase, GER for gerund phrase, or INF for infinitive phrase.
 
Example
 
1. Throwing a birthday party is no small feat.GER
2. Last June, I planned a grand bash to surprise my brother.PART
3. My first problem was gathering a list of his friends.GER
4. My brother was surprised by our shouting “Happy birthday!”INF
5. Stunned for a moment, he quickly recovered and began laughing wildly.PART
EXERCISE C Most of the following sentences contain an appositive phrase. Draw one line under
each appositive phrase and two lines under the word or words to which the phrase refers. If the
sentence contains no appositive phrase, write None at the end of the sentence.
 
Example 1. In a recent poll, Sally Ride, the first female American astronaut, was named a
good role model for girls.
 
1. My grandfather believes that turquoise, a blue-green mineral, should be classified as
a precious gem.

2. Famous baseball players are inducted annually into the Hall of Fame,
located in Cooperstown, New York.
 3. The film is based on Frankenstein, a novel by Mary Shelley. None

4. I Wonder as I Wander, the autobiography of Langston Hughes, is a fascinating book.

5. Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, is on the banks of the Missouri

River.

Review C: Identifying Phrases

EXERCISE A In each of the following sentences, underline the two prepositional phrases. Draw
an arrow from each phrase to the word or words it modifies. Then, on the line provided,
identify each phrase by writing ADJ for adjective or ADV for adverb.
 
Example ADV. ADJ
 
ADJ 1. I will call you after the game between the Bulldogs and the Wildcats.
ADV 2. In October, the trees here burst with color.
ADJ 3. The meeting will be held at 3:30 P.M. in the school library.
ADJ 4. Ms. Leguizamo has been the principal of the school for fifteen years.
ADJ 5. We are planning a trip to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
 
EXERCISE B Underline the verbal phrase in each of the following sentences. Then, identify the
phrase by writing above it PART for participial phrase, GER for gerund phrase, or INF for
infinitive phrase.
 
Example
 
1. African Americans began observing Kwanzaa in 1966.GER
2. The celebration, lasting from December 26 to January 1, is a special time for African
Americans.PART
3. Many take time to reflect upon their African heritage.PART
4. Seven candles, representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa, are placed in a kinara, a
candleholder.INF
5. Lighting one of the candles is a daily ritual.GER
 
EXERCISE C Most of the following sentences contain an appositive phrase. Draw one line under
the appositive phrase and two lines under the word or words to which the phrase refers. If the
sentence contains no appositive phrase, write None at the end of the sentence.
 
Example 1. Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is situated in Ontario Province.
 
 1. Mount Rushmore, part of the Black Hills of South Dakota, is a popular tourist
attraction.

2. Featured on the one-dollar coin is the image of Sacagawea, the Shoshone guide for
the Lewis and Clark expedition. None

3. For dinner we are preparing kimchi, a tasty Korean dish. None

4. The winners of the writing contest were Justin and Leah. None

5. An early twentieth-century American artist, Grant Wood is best known for painting
American Gothic. None