Exercise: Identifying phrases

Read the following sentences, and identify all of the prepositional, verbal, absolute, and appositive phrases. Notice that one kind of phrase may appear within another kind. Example:

His voice breaking with emotion, Ed thanked us for the award.

Prepositional phrases: with emotion, for the award

Absolute phrase: His voice breaking with emotion

Click Submit after each question to record your answer. If your instructor has assigned this exercise set, you must answer every question before your answers will be submitted to the gradebook.

  1. Chantelle, the motel clerk, hopes to be certified as a river guide.
    Chantelle, the motel clerk, hopes to be certified as a river guide.
  2. Carpets made by hand are usually the most valuable.
    Carpets made by hand are usually the most valuable.
  3. My stomach doing flips, I answered the door.
    My stomach doing flips, I answered the door.
  4. Floating on my back, I ignored my practice requirements.
    Floating on my back, I ignored my practice requirements.
  5. Driving across town during rush hour can take thirty minutes or more.
    Driving across town during rush hour can take thirty minutes or more.