Grammar Exercises

What are Phrases Practice Exercises
Practice Exercise
Identify the adjective and adverb phrases in the sentences that follow. You may want to look up adjective and adverb phrases (if you don't know).

1. Students with ambition are usually successful.
2. The painter climbed up the ladder.
3. Her ring with the emeralds and rubies came from her grandmother.
4. I saw the squirrels scampering along the fence rail in the backyard.
5. They anchored their fishing boat about a mile off shore.
Identify the appositive phrases in the following sentences and the noun or pronoun they are modifying.

6. Her adventure story appeared in Cricket, the popular children's magazine.
7. Which Shakespearian tragedy do you like most, King Lear or Hamlet?
8. Would you please give this note to your teacher, Mr. Christopher?
9. My cousin, a sophomore at the Academy of Allied Health and Science, wants to be a physical therapist.
10. Marcie told a story about the Tasmanian Devil, an urban legend.
Determine whether the boldfaced phrase is a gerund phrase or a participial phrase.

11. Trying to be protective, Charlotte put her parakeet back into its cage.
12. Misplacing my belt with the silver buckle disappointed Dad.
13. Snoring with contentment, Hallie's cat slept on the bed by her feet.
14. Having to wait at the bus stop for over an hour every day was becoming tiring.
15. Heading this year for the Super Bowl is our favorite team, the New York Giants.



Grammar and Clauses Practice

Independent or Subordinate Clause
Determine whether the group of words is an independent or a subordinate clause.

1. It seemed like yesterday
2. Despite the fact you knew
3. If we could just see eye to eye
4. Wherever he might go
5. Before we leave
6. Suppose he changes his mind
7. Because we were only a mile from home
8. Andrew went fishing
9. When Justin took his first swing
10. So long as we remain in the boat

Noun Clause
Identify the noun clause in each of the following sentences.

1. I don't understand what he sees in this.
2. Phyllis's suggestion that we go through the Blue Ridge Mountains was a good one.
3. James was wondering what Wednesday's lineup is going to be.
4. Our intention is that we be able to visit the Eiffel Tower on our way through Paris.
5. Why you decided to switch careers this late in the game is hard to comprehend.
6. Hugh says he has no idea where he is going to sleep.
7. Whether Ursula goes to college is a concern of mine.
8. That we leave before five in the morning was her idea, not his.
9. You should know where your watch is.
10. The commendation goes to whoever accomplishes the tasks in a timely manner.

Adjective Clause
Identify the adjective clause in each sentence.

1. Did you spill the glass of milk that was in the refrigerator?
2. The police are searching for the person who lives in this apartment.
3. The room on your left is where the supervisor works.
4. Do you remember when you fell and sprained your wrist?
5. I want to go on a ride that is fast, like a roller coaster.
6. I am sure it was the car whose taillight was broken.
7. This document is a piece of evidence that is important.
8. The acting class that I take every Thursday has been cancelled.
9. My cousin, who lives in Oklahoma, is going to Europe with us.
10. There is a fragrant lilac bush that grows outside my window.

Adverb Clause

Identify the adverb clause in each of the following sentences.

1. Because the book was old, it was kept behind glass.
2. This dining room set is yours provided that your payment goes through.
3. Mark is not allowed to leave even if he insists on going.
4. I was ready to go before the sun was up.
5. He acted as if he belonged there.
6. I enjoyed the reunion although there was some tension between Mom and Aunt Joy.
7. Tad could not reach the top shelf even though he used a stepladder.
8. The baby starts to cry whenever I step out of the room.
9. After we have breakfast, we'll go to the flea market.
10. If you don't mind, put this away in the closet for me.