Grammar Quiz #2 Prep

Question 1

What is a Gerund?

Answer 1

A noun derived from a verb (verb functioning as a noun), which ends in “-ing”

Question 2

What is a Gerund Phrase?

Answer 2

Group of words composed of a Gerund, Modifiers, and Pronouns, functioning as the direct or indirect object(s).

Question 3

What is an example of a Gerund?

Answer 3

Remember: “A verb that has been noun-ified”

Verb: Play
Gerund: Playing (Noun-ified)

Eating
Watching
Riding
etc.

Question 4

What is an example of a Gerund Phrase?

Answer 4

Remember: “A verb that has been noun-ified”

Verb phrase: I have ran away with scissors

Gerund phrase: I enjoy running with scissors (Noun-ified)

Question 5

What is a Preposition?

Answer 5

A word before a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun to indicate direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an Object. (Remember: “whatever a squirrel can do to a tree, car, spaceship, etc.”)

Question 6

What is a Prepositional Phrase?

Answer 6

A group of words consisting of a Preposition, an Object of the Preposition, and any sentence Modifiers. (It usually modifies a verb or noun)

Question 7

What is an example of a Preposition?

Answer 7

Short words, such as “in”, “at”, “to”, in order to indicate relation between a Preposition and an Object.

Question 8

What is an example of a Prepositional Phrase?

Answer 8

A Preposition and Object of a Preposition working together to make a phrase.

“Over the Grass”

Prep: Over
Object: Grass

“To the House”

Prep: To
Object: House

Question 9

What is an Infinitive?

Answer 9

Any verb coming after the word “to”, indicating action, acting as a subject, or a direct object of a sentence.

Remember: “To + Base Verb”

Question 10

Why are Infinitives called Infinitives?

Answer 10

This is because, like infinity, they are not bounded by time. For example, “To walk” is an infinitive, not being bound by time, but standing alone.

Question 11

What is an Example of an Infinitive?

Answer 11

“I love to walk through the streets of Harlem”

Infinitive: To walk

“I’m starting to enjoy the admiration of classic literature, for it is something that takes me back to my heritage”

Don’t get fooled, there’s two “To’s”

Infinitive: To enjoy (To comes before a VERB)

Question 12

What is the difference between a Preposition and an Infinitive?

Answer 12

They both may start with “To”, so don’t let that fool you. PREPOSITIONS MODIFY NOUNS while INFINITIVES MODIFY VERBS.

Question 13

What is an Appositive?

Answer 13

A Noun or Pronoun that comes directly before or after a Noun to rename or re-describe it.

Question 14

What is an Appositive Phrase?

Answer 14

A phrase coming directly before or after a Noun to rename or re-describe it

Question 15

What is an Example of an Appositive?

Answer 15

“Chucky, the doll, wishes to end my life”

Appositive: The Doll (noun that renames and redescribes Chucky)

“The illustrious Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, was a man worthy of great admiration”

Appositive: Founding Father (Pronoun that renames and redescribes Benjamin Franklin)

Remember that appositives can come before or after the Noun they describe!

Question 16

What is an Example of an Appositive Phrase?

Answer 16

“My mistress of evil and lustrous partner in crime, Cameron, schemed with me in overthrowing the pentagon in a deceitful coup d’état.”

Appositive Phrase: Mistress of evil and lustrous partner in crime

“Wrath and envy ensues the chaotic antics of Fraudelin, Mr. Daudelin’s evil brother, gifted with the power of the dark side. “

Appositive Phrase: “Mr. Daudelin’s evil brother, gifted with the power of the dark side.”

Question 17

What is the difference between a Gerund and a Participle?

Answer 17

Both being formed from verbs and sometimes both ending in “-ing” can make these two seem confusing. However, the difference is that a GERUND WILL TAKE ON THE FORM OF A NOUN, while PARTICIPLES ACT AS VERB TENSES OR ADJECTIVES.

A verb that acts as a noun is a Gerund, while a verb that acts as a verb acts as a verb or adjective will always be a Participle.

Question 18

Is this a Gerund Phrase or Participial Phrase? Identify the Gerund or Participle as well.

“Jane is shooting up heroin in bed, soon to overdose next to Jesse.”

Answer 18

This is a Participial Phrase, with the participle being “shooting”, for it being a verb that the subject (Jane) is doing.

Question 19

Is this a Gerund or Participial Phrase? Identify the Gerund or Participle as well.

“Heroin shooting is a deathtrap, putting many abusers at risk of death.”

Answer 19

This is a Gerund Phrase, with the Gerund being “shooting”, for it is a verb that acts as a noun, with “putting” being it’s verb.

Question 20

Is this a Prepositional Phrase or an Infinitive Phrase? Identify the Preposition or Infinitive as well.

“To capture the wild hog-monkey, we’ll first need to appeal to it’s sexuality”

Answer 20

This is an Infinitive Phrase, with the Infinitive being “To capture”, for it includes the word “to”, with a verb coming after it.

Question 21

Is this a Prepositional Phrase or an Infinitive Phrase? Identify the Preposition or Infinitive as well.

“Over the horizon lied a glorious sun, enthralling all viewers with it’s grand setting performance”

Answer 21

This is a Prepositional Phrase, with the Preposition being “Over” and the object being “The horizon”.

(Remember that a NOUN has to come after the Preposition, unlike an infinitive, which would have a VERB come after it)

Question 22

Find at least 1 Gerund, Prepositional Phrase, Infinitive, Appositive, and Participle in the following sentence:

“My cunning adversary, Damian, took it upon himself to kiss my lover, Gabe, then attempted playing dumb with me, which only led to me leading him to the woods behind the highschool, to be forgotten by all.”

Answer 22

Gerund: Playing dumb

Prep Phrase: To the woods

Infinitive: To kiss

Appositive: My cunning adversary

Participle: To be forgotten

(If you find any others not listed, bonus points! You’re ready for the quiz.)