Phrase Exercises – Phrase Worksheet

Remember to go back and study the articles mentioned below to better your knowledge of phrases

• Appositive Phrase
• Gerund Phrase
• Infinitive Phrase
• Participial Phrase
• Adverbial Phrase
• Adjective Phrase
• Verb Phrase
• Noun Phrase

Phrase Worksheet

Phrase Exercises

Phrase Exercise 1: Read the following sentences and underline the verb phrases

1. The children were playing in the park.
2. She has been studying for her exams all week.
3. I will travel to Japan next year.
4. They can swim very fast.
5. He did not want to go to the party.
6. We have been waiting for the bus for half an hour.
7. She can solve complex math problems easily.
8. They might go to the cinema tonight.
9. The teacher is grading the papers.
10. You must finish your work before going out.

Answers

1. The children were playing in the park.
2. She has been studying for her exams all week.
3. I will travel to Japan next year.
4. They can swim very fast.
5. He did not want to go to the party.
6. We have been waiting for the bus for half an hour.
7. She can solve complex math problems easily.
8. They might go to the cinema tonight.
9. The teacher is grading the papers.
10. You must finish your work before going out.

Phrase Exercise 2: Choose the option that correctly identifies the appositive phrase in each sentence

1. My brother, an engineer, is coming to visit me next week.
   • A) My brother
   • B) an engineer
   • C) is coming to visit
   • D) next week
2. The novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a classic of American literature, was written by Harper Lee.
   • A) The novel
   • B) “To Kill a Mockingbird”
   • C) a classic of American literature
   • D) was written by Harper Lee
3. We are going to visit the Eiffel Tower, a famous landmark, during our trip to Paris.
   • A) We are going to visit
   • B) the Eiffel Tower
   • C) a famous landmark
   • D) during our trip to Paris
4. Leonardo da Vinci, a painter and inventor, is well-known for his artwork.
   • A) Leonardo da Vinci
   • B) a painter and inventor
   • C) is well-known
   • D) for his artwork
5. She handed the homework to Ms. Johnson, her English teacher, right before the bell rang.
   • A) She handed the homework
   • B) to Ms. Johnson
   • C) her English teacher
   • D) right before the bell rang
6. Can you pass me the salt, that white shaker on the table?
   • A) Can you pass me
   • B) the salt
   • C) that white shaker on the table
   • D) on the table
7. The CEO of the company, a very shrewd businessman, decided to invest in new technology.
   • A) The CEO of the company
   • B) a very shrewd businessman
   • C) decided to invest
   • D) in new technology
8. My pet beagle, Snoopy, loves to chase his tail.
   • A) My pet beagle
   • B) Snoopy
   • C) loves to chase
   • D) his tail
9. My friend Sarah is planning a trip to Ireland.

• • A) My friend
  • B) Sarah
  • C) is planning
  • D) a trip to Ireland

1. The book, a gripping mystery novel, kept me up all night.

• • A) The book
  • B) a gripping mystery novel
  • C) kept me up
  • D) all night

Answers

Phrase Exercise 3: Determine if the following sentences contain a noun phrase (True) or not (False)

1. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
2. She is swimming.
3. A bouquet of yellow roses would make her day.
4. Can you tell me the time?
5. The cat slept on the warm, cozy bed.
6. Beautifully painted, the art caught everyone’s eye.
7. The committee members argued for hours.
8. Running fast, he managed to catch the bus.
9. The delicious cake on the table is for dessert.
10. Are they coming to the party?
11. The gentle rain refreshed the parched landscape.
12. Singing merrily, the birds greeted the dawn.
13. A cluster of stars shone brightly in the night sky.
14. Can laughter be considered the best medicine?
15. The team wore their new uniforms for the first game.
16. After the movie, we all went out for ice cream.
17. Whispering in the library is against the rules.
18. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the room.
19. Racing against time, the project was completed successfully.
20. Is the red car parked outside yours?

Answers

1. True (The quick brown fox; the lazy dog)
2. False (No noun phrase as the subject is a pronoun ‘She’)
3. True (A bouquet of yellow roses)
4. True (The time)
5. True (The warm, cozy bed)
6. False (No noun phrase as the subject is implied and ‘Beautifully painted’ is a participle phrase)
7. True (The committee members)
8. False (No noun phrase as the subject is implied and ‘Running fast’ is a participle phrase)
9. True (The delicious cake on the table)
10. False (No noun phrase as the subject is a pronoun ‘they’)
11. True (The gentle rain; the parched landscape)
12. False (No noun phrase as the subject is implied and ‘Singing merrily’ is a participle phrase)
13. True (A cluster of stars)
14. True (Laughter; the best medicine)
15. True (The team; their new uniforms; the first game)
16. True (The movie; we; ice cream)
17. True (Whispering in the library; the rules)
18. True (The aroma of fresh coffee; the room)
19. False (No noun phrase as the subject is implied and ‘Racing against time’ is a participle phrase)
20. True (The red car; yours)

Phrase Exercise 4: Rewrite the following sentences to replace the infinitive phrases with gerund phrases

1. It’s fun to swim in the lake.
2. I need to make a shopping list.
3. They hope to win the championship.
4. She decided to take a nap.
5. To read before bed helps me relax.
6. To walk in the morning is a good start to the day.
7. To play the violin takes a lot of practice.
8. It’s necessary to clean your room regularly.
9. To learn programming can enhance your career prospects.
10. She loves to sing at karaoke nights.
11. To make your own clothes can be very rewarding.
12. To drive safely is essential at all times.
13. It’s fun to go camping in the wilderness.
14. To meditate daily is beneficial for mental health.
15. To bake with whole grains is healthier.

Answers

1. Swimming in the lake is fun.
2. I need to make a shopping list.
3. They hope to win the championship.
4. She decided to take a nap.
5. Reading before bed helps me relax.
6. Walking in the morning is a good start to the day.
7. Playing the violin takes a lot of practice.
8. Cleaning your room regularly is necessary.
9. Learning programming can enhance your career prospects.
10. She loves singing at karaoke nights.
11. Making your own clothes can be very rewarding.
12. Driving safely is essential at all times.
13. Going camping in the wilderness is fun.
14. Meditating daily is beneficial for mental health.
15. Baking with whole grains is healthier.