Quiz On 5 Phrases: Appositive, Gerund, Infinitive, Participial, & Prepositional

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1. I wanted to purchase all my textbooks before I started my college classes this fall.

Explanation

The given sentence "I wanted to purchase all my textbooks before I started my college classes this fall" contains the phrase "to purchase all my textbooks." This phrase starts with the infinitive verb "to purchase" and functions as a noun, serving as the direct object of the verb "wanted." Therefore, the correct answer is "infinitive phrase."

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About This Quiz
Quiz On 5 Phrases: Appositive, Gerund, Infinitive, Participial, & Prepositional - Quiz

This quiz assesses understanding of phrase types in English grammar, focusing on appositive, gerund, infinitive, participial, and prepositional phrases. It is designed to test knowledge of how these... see morephrases function within sentences, enhancing both writing and comprehension skills. see less

2. My goal was to win enough tickets to trade in for that cool lava lamp at the arcade.

Explanation

The given sentence "My goal was to win enough tickets to trade in for that cool lava lamp at the arcade" contains an infinitive phrase. The phrase "to win enough tickets to trade in for that cool lava lamp at the arcade" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "was." It explains the purpose or goal of the subject "My goal." The infinitive phrase begins with the infinitive marker "to" and includes the verbs "win" and "trade in."

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3. To speak another language well can take years to learn.

Explanation

The given sentence "To speak another language well can take years to learn" contains an infinitive phrase. The phrase "To speak another language well" functions as the subject of the sentence. It indicates the action of speaking another language and expresses the purpose or goal of the sentence. The infinitive phrase is formed by the word "to" followed by the base form of the verb "speak."

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4. I believe everyone wants to find happiness.

Explanation

The given sentence "I believe everyone wants to find happiness" contains the phrase "to find happiness." This phrase begins with the infinitive verb "to find" and functions as a noun in the sentence. It acts as the direct object of the verb "wants" and expresses the action or purpose of wanting. Therefore, the correct answer is "infinitive phrase."

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5. Eddie, my flight instructor, is one of the happy-go-luckiest people I have ever met.

Explanation

The phrase "my flight instructor" provides additional information about Eddie, identifying him as the person the speaker is referring to. This phrase is set off by commas, which is a common way to indicate an appositive phrase. Therefore, the correct answer is appositive phrase.

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6. Philately, the study, love, and collection of stamps, is largely considered the oldest, formal collecting hobby, dating back to the mid-1800's.

Explanation

The given sentence contains the phrase "the study, love, and collection of stamps," which provides additional information about the noun "Philately." This phrase is functioning as an appositive phrase because it renames or identifies Philately. It is separated from the rest of the sentence by commas, which is a common characteristic of appositive phrases.

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7. Alaina planned to study kinesiology, the study of body mechanics and movement, as she trained to become a chiropractor.

Explanation

The correct answer is appositive phrase. An appositive phrase is a noun or noun phrase that renames or identifies another noun or pronoun in the sentence. In this case, "the study of body mechanics and movement" renames "kinesiology," providing additional information about the field of study Alaina planned to pursue.

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8. Ms. Eld assumes you like to be finished with this practice quiz now.

Explanation

The correct answer is "infinitive phrase" because "to be finished" is an infinitive phrase that functions as the direct object of the verb "like." It shows Ms. Eld's assumption about the completion of the practice quiz.

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9. Josiah could not believe he was going to meet Magnus Carlsen, the current world chess champion.

Explanation

The given sentence contains an appositive phrase which provides additional information about Josiah. The phrase "the current world chess champion" renames or identifies Magnus Carlsen, providing more detail about him. This appositive phrase is set off by commas, which is a common way to indicate appositives.

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10. Entering a pie-eating contest had always been a dream of Ralph's.

Explanation

The given sentence "Entering a pie-eating contest had always been a dream of Ralph's" contains the phrase "Entering a pie-eating contest." This phrase functions as a noun in the sentence, as it is the subject of the sentence and represents Ralph's dream. This type of phrase is called a gerund phrase, which is a phrase that begins with a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing) and functions as a noun in a sentence.

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11. Driving on lake ice in December in Minnesota can be a very risky gamble.

Explanation

A gerund phrase is a phrase that starts with a gerund, which is a verb form that functions as a noun. In this sentence, "Driving on lake ice in December in Minnesota" is a gerund phrase because "driving" is a gerund and it functions as the subject of the sentence. The phrase describes the action of driving on lake ice in December in Minnesota and emphasizes the risky nature of this activity.

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12. Phillip enlisted for the college benefits he could receive as well as the good he could do for his country.

Explanation

The given sentence contains the phrase "for the college benefits he could receive as well as the good he could do for his country." This phrase begins with the preposition "for" and functions as an adverbial phrase, providing information about the reasons for Phillip enlisting. Therefore, the correct answer is a prepositional phrase.

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13. Some people enjoy watching sports more than playing them.

Explanation

A gerund phrase is a phrase that starts with a gerund, which is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. In this sentence, "watching sports" is the gerund phrase, as it starts with the gerund "watching" and functions as the subject of the sentence. The phrase "watching sports" acts as a noun, indicating an activity that some people enjoy.

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14. Don't make the situation worse; lying about your choices will only make me madder.

Explanation

The given sentence contains the phrase "lying about your choices." This phrase functions as a noun in the sentence, as it is the subject of the verb "will make." A gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun, and in this case, the gerund phrase "lying about your choices" is acting as the subject of the sentence.

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15. Under stressful conditions, soldiers are expected to perform with skill, patience, and precision.

Explanation

The correct answer is "prepositional phrase." This is because the phrase "Under stressful conditions" begins with the preposition "under" and functions as an adverbial phrase, providing information about the circumstances in which soldiers are expected to perform.

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16. We scheduled our vacation to Colorado, our favorite spot to get away from it all!

Explanation

The phrase "our favorite spot to get away from it all" renames or identifies the noun "Colorado," providing additional information about it. This is characteristic of an appositive phrase, which is a noun or pronoun placed next to another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it. In this case, the appositive phrase adds more detail about the vacation destination, Colorado.

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17. Throughout the entire ten days of her spring break this year, Astrid and her family will be in the Bahamas.

Explanation

The given sentence contains the phrase "in the Bahamas," which functions as a prepositional phrase. This phrase starts with the preposition "in" and includes the object "the Bahamas." Prepositional phrases provide additional information about location, time, or manner. In this case, the prepositional phrase indicates where Astrid and her family will be during their spring break.

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18. Stan tried to avoid an argument by not directly answering Stella's question.

Explanation

The given sentence states that Stan avoided an argument by not directly answering Stella's question. The phrase "by not directly answering Stella's question" functions as an adverbial phrase that provides information about how Stan avoided the argument. This phrase begins with the preposition "by" and includes the gerund phrase "not directly answering Stella's question." Therefore, the correct answer is a prepositional phrase.

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19. Ellen disliked worrying about when she'd hear back from the colleges to which she'd applied, so she decided to distract herself with volunteer opportunities through her NHS program.

Explanation

The phrase "worrying about when she'd hear back from the colleges to which she'd applied" is a gerund phrase. A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun in the sentence. In this case, "worrying" is the gerund, and the entire phrase acts as the object of the verb "disliked," explaining what Ellen disliked.

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20. Jamie strolled down the boulevard whistling a happy tune

Explanation

The given sentence "Jamie strolled down the boulevard whistling a happy tune" contains the participial phrase "whistling a happy tune." This phrase functions as an adjective and describes Jamie, providing additional information about what he was doing while strolling down the boulevard.

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21. Playing the odds, Marielle decided to apply to all of the retail teen clothing stores at the outlet mall.

Explanation

The given sentence "Playing the odds, Marielle decided to apply to all of the retail teen clothing stores at the outlet mall" contains the participial phrase "Playing the odds." This phrase functions as an introductory phrase that provides additional information about Marielle's decision to apply to all of the retail teen clothing stores. It starts with the present participle "Playing" and acts as an adjective modifying Marielle.

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22. Rolling down the hill, the children shrieked with laughter while enjoying the beautiful summer afternoon.

Explanation

The given sentence "Rolling down the hill, the children shrieked with laughter while enjoying the beautiful summer afternoon" contains a participial phrase. The phrase "Rolling down the hill" functions as an adjective and modifies the subject "children." It provides additional information about the action of the children, indicating that they were rolling down the hill while shrieking with laughter and enjoying the summer afternoon.

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23. Murphy, stressed to his limits, barked at his parents and raged at his siblings.

Explanation

The phrase "stressed to his limits" modifies the subject "Murphy" and provides additional information about his state of being. It functions as a participial phrase because it begins with the past participle "stressed" and acts as an adjective to describe Murphy.

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24. Despite the pouring rain, the play-off game continued until one team was victorious.

Explanation

The correct answer is "prepositional phrase" because it describes the phrase "Despite the pouring rain" which functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "continued." The preposition "despite" shows the contrast between the pouring rain and the game continuing.

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25. I raced swimming as fast as possible to the other side of the pool.

Explanation

The phrase "raced swimming as fast as possible" functions as a participial phrase in this sentence. It consists of the verb "raced" and the present participle "swimming," describing the action of the subject "I." The phrase modifies the verb "raced" and provides additional information about how the swimming was done.

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I wanted to purchase all my textbooks before I started my college...
My goal was to win enough tickets to trade in for that cool lava lamp...
To speak another language well can take years to learn.
I believe everyone wants to find happiness.
Eddie, my flight instructor, is one of the happy-go-luckiest people I...
Philately, the study, love, and collection of stamps, is largely...
Alaina planned to study kinesiology, the study of body mechanics and...
Ms. Eld assumes you like to be finished with this practice quiz now.
Josiah could not believe he was going to meet Magnus Carlsen, the...
Entering a pie-eating contest had always been a dream of Ralph's.
Driving on lake ice in December in Minnesota can be a very risky...
Phillip enlisted for the college benefits he could receive as well as...
Some people enjoy watching sports more than playing them.
Don't make the situation worse; lying about your choices will only...
Under stressful conditions, soldiers are expected to perform with...
We scheduled our vacation to Colorado, our favorite spot to get away...
Throughout the entire ten days of her spring break this...
Stan tried to avoid an argument by not directly answering Stella's...
Ellen disliked worrying about when she'd hear back from the...
Jamie strolled down the boulevard whistling a happy tune. 
Playing the odds, Marielle decided to apply to all of the retail teen...
Rolling down the hill, the children shrieked with laughter while...
Murphy, stressed to his limits, barked at his parents and raged...
Despite the pouring rain, the play-off game continued until one team...
I raced swimming as fast as possible to the other side of the pool.
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