ACADEMIC SKILLS PROGRAM
STUDENT SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT
PHRASES
Exercises
Highlight the phrase in each sentence below and then identify each type of phrase as a
prepositional phrase, a gerund phrase, an infinitive phrase, a verb phrase, an appositive phrase, or
an absolute phrase.
1. Upon my arrival, I whisked into a secret chamber.
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2. According to Mr. Johnson, the principal of the school, the children are always well
behaved.
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3. I could have won the game, but I decided to let my younger cousin win.
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4. Talking with my sister made me realize how much I miss her.
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5. I must sleep 8 hours every night in order to pay attention in class.
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6. The assignment complete, I could go to the party.
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7. Eating all that cake made me want to exercise.
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8. During dinner, Carlos, the messiest eater at the dinner table, spewed mashed potatoes all
over the table.
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9. A disastrous activity of long-haired people is blowing bubble gum bubbles.
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10. The best way to survive the boring lecture is to bring some other homework to do as well.
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11. I am trying to decide if I’d rather go to medical school or law school.
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12. A hot tempered hockey player, Max is often in the penalty box.
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13. The book on the deck is going to get wet.
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14. I’d like to bake some cookies for my mother for her birthday.
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15. Her money on the line, Janet panicked.
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16. Waiting for my clothes to dry, I completed my final assignment.
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17. We decided to meet at our regular spot, the pub.
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18. I locked my keys in the car.
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19. Eating fruit without washing it may make you sick.
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20. The children, tired from playing all day, fell to sleep straight away.
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