A phrase is a group of words expressing a single idea but not having a predicate. Most phrases are used as parts of speech. In the sentence, "A stately squadron of snowy geese were riding in an adjoining pond," what adjective and what phrase are used to describe squadron? This phrase is called an adjective phrase. Phrases that are used to modify nouns or pronouns are called adjective phrases. ᏞᏙ ADVERBIAL PHRASES (1) In the sentence, "His schoolhouse was rudely constructed of logs," was constructed is what part of speech? What part of speech is rudely? What does it modify? Do you see any phrase that also modifies constructed? The phrase of logs is called an adverbial phrase. Why? Make a definition for adverbial phrases. In sentence 4, page 260, what phrase modifies one? What does the phrase built in the style handed down by the first Dutch settlers modify? What kind of phrase is each of these? What phrase modifies built? What kind of phrase is it? Read: (2) VAN TASSEL'S TEA TABLE Fain would I pause to dwell upon the world of charms that burst upon the enraptured gaze of my hero as he entered the state parlor of Van Tassel's mansion: not those of the bevy of buxom lasses, with their luxurious display of red and white, but the ample charms of a genuine Dutch country tea table, in the sumptuous time of autumn. Such heaped-up platters of cakes of various and almost indescribable kinds, known only to experienced Dutch housewives! There was the doughty doughnut, the tenderer oly koek, and the crisp and crumbling cruller; sweet cakes and short cakes, ginger cakes and honey cakes, and the whole family of cakes. And then there were apple pies and peach pies and pumpkin pies;. besides slices of ham and smoked beef; and moreover, delectable dishes of preserved plums, and peaches, and pears, and quinces; not to mention broiled shad and roasted chicken; together with bowls of milk and cream, all mingled higgledy-piggledy, pretty much as I have enumerated them, with the motherly teapot sending up its clouds of vapor from the midst — Heaven bless the mark! - WASHINGTON IRVING. In the above selection pick out all the adverbial phrases and all the adjective phrases and tell what each modifies. LVI NOUN PHRASES There are still other kinds of phrases. "Being a Boy" is the title of a book written by Charles Dudley Warner. The phrase Being a Boy is the subject of the sentence. For what part of speech is it used? To err is human. What phrase is the subject of is? For what part of speech is it used? There are noun phrases as well as adjective phrases and adverbial phrases. Make a definition for noun phrases. It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.-FRANKLIN. And darest thou then To beard the lion in his den?- SCOTT. Name the noun phrases in the above sentences. Which is used as the subject of a verb and which as the object? What parts does every sentence have? In any one of the phrases that we have studied, do you find these parts? How do phrases differ from sentences? Name the kinds of phrases that we have studied. Read: LVII PARTICIPIAL PHRASES THE YANKEE FARMER A Yankee farmer is in a constant state of migration, tarrying occasionally here and there, clearing lands for other people to enjoy, building houses for others to inhabit, and in a manner may be considered the wandering Arab of America. His first thought, on coming to the years of manhood, is to settle himself in the world—which means nothing more nor less than to begin his rambles. To this end he takes unto himself for a wife some buxom country heiress, passing rich in red ribbons, glass beads, and mock tortoise-shell combs, with a white gown and morocco shoes for Sunday, and deeply skilled in the mystery of making apple sweetmeats, long sauce, and pumpkin pie. Having thus provided himself, like a peddler with a heavy knapsack, wherewith to regale his shoulders through the journey of life, he literally sets out on the peregrination. His whole family, household furniture, and farming utensils, are hoisted into a covered cart; his own and his wife's wardrobe packed up in a firkin — which done, he shoulders his ax, takes staff in hand, whistles "Yankee Doodle," and trudges off to the woods, as confident of the protection of Providence, and relying as cheerfully upon his own resources, as ever did a patriarch of yore, when he journeyed into a strange country of the Gentiles. Having buried himself in the wilderness, he builds himself a log hut, clears away a cornfield and potato patch, and Providence smiling upon. his labors, is soon surrounded by a snug farm and some half a score of flaxen-headed urchins, who by their size, seem to have sprung all at once out of the earth, like a crop of toadstools. - WASHINGTON IRVING. What does the phrase, tarrying occasionally here and there, in the first paragraph, modify? What kind of phrase is it? What part of speech is tarrying? An adjective phrase introduced by a participle is sometimes called a participial phrase. In the third paragraph what pronoun does the phrase having thus provided himself modify? Participial phrases often are placed at a distance from the words they modify. Name all the participial phrases in "The Yankee Farmer." LVIII INDEPENDENT PHRASES (1) In the last paragraph of "The Yankee Farmer," notice the phrase which done. Do you see what it means? It might be made clearer by writing it, which having been done. You can also change it to, — when this has been done. Does the phrase which done modify any word in the sentence? Which done is not a noun phrase, an adjective phrase, or an adverbial phrase. It stands alone, and is called an independent phrase. It does the work of a clause. Point out the independent phrases in the following sentences: "The dispute being settled to the satisfaction of everybody, the party went to supper." "The weather being stormy, Mr. Hapgood was compelled to squander a dollar on a hansom cab." "Cæsar having been slain, no one arose capable of filling his place." (2) Which of the phrases that you find in the following selection modify some word and which are independent? Read: VAN TWILLER'S JUDGMENT The morning after he had been installed in office and at the moment that he was making his breakfast from a prodigious earthen dish, filled with milk and Indian pudding, |