Verbals & Verbal Phrases
In the sentence below, what is the function of the underlined word?
The running water was cold.
A. gerund
B. verb
C. participle
D. infinitive
C
“Running” describes water → adjective → participle
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. I was tired; but I finished my homework.
B. I was tired, but; I finished my homework.
C. I was tired; I finished my homework.
D. I was tired but; I finished my homework.
C
Semicolon joins two complete sentences. “but” makes A incorrect
“The historian carefully examined the ancient manuscript before sharing her findings.”
What does manuscript most nearly mean in this sentence?
A. a printed article
B. a handwritten document
C. a spoken story
D. a digital file
B
Context clue: “ancient” + “examined” → something written → handwritten document
What is the complete subject?
The tall student in the front row answered the question.
A. student
B. tall student
C. The tall student in the front row
D. front row
C
Complete subject includes all describing word
Which sentence is correct?
A. Running late; she missed the bus.
B. Running late, she missed the bus.
C. Running late she; missed the bus.
D. Running late she missed; the bus.
B
Intro phrase needs a comma
Which sentence contains a gerund functioning as the subject?
A. Running through the park, she felt free.
B. Running is my favorite hobby.
C. The running dog barked loudly.
D. She is running late.
B
“Running” = subject → noun → gerund
(Tricky because A and C also have -ing words)
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb?
A. She studied hard; however she failed the test.
B. She studied hard however; she failed the test.
C. She studied hard; however, she failed the test.
D. She studied hard, however; she failed the test.
C
Correct format → ; however,
“The submarine traveled deep below the ocean’s surface, avoiding detection.”
Based on the sentence, what does the prefix “sub-” most likely mean?
A. above
B. under
C. across
D. between
Identify the direct object:
She gave her friend a gift.
A. she
B. friend
C. gift
D. gave
C
“gift” = what was given → direct object
“friend” = trap (indirect object)
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. Wanting to succeed; she studied hard therefore she passed.
B. Wanting to succeed, she studied hard; therefore, she passed.
C. Wanting succeed she studied hard; therefore she passed.
D. Wanting to succeed; she studied hard, therefore she passed.
B
Correct grammar + punctuation
In the sentence below, what is the function of the underlined phrase?
She enjoys reading mystery novels.
A. adjective phrase
B. adverb phrase
C. gerund phrase (direct object)
D. participial phrase
C
“reading mystery novels” = thing she enjoys → direct object → gerund phrase
Which sentence is incorrectly punctuated?
A. I wanted to go outside; it was raining heavily.
B. I wanted to go outside, but it was raining heavily.
C. I wanted to go outside; however, it was raining heavily.
D. I wanted to go outside; because it was raining heavily.
D
“because” creates a dependent clause → cannot use semicolon
“During the inspection, the officer carefully checked every detail of the building.”
What does the root “spect” most likely mean?
A. to build
B. to look
C. to write
D. to move
What is the function of “leader”?
My brother became a leader.
A. direct object
B. predicate nominative
C. indirect object
D. modifier
B Renames subject → predicate nominative
Which revision is BEST?
To improve her grade; she studied every night.
A. To improve her grade, she studied every night.
B. To improve her grade she studied; every night.
C. To improve; her grade she studied every night.
D. No change
A
Infinitive phrases use commas, not semicolons
Which sentence contains a participial phrase (NOT a gerund)?
A. Swimming is good exercise.
B. She loves swimming in the ocean.
C. Swimming in the ocean, he spotted a dolphin.
D. To swim in the ocean is exciting.
C
“Swimming in the ocean” describes “he” → participial phrase
(A and B are gerunds, D is infinitive)
Which revision BEST corrects the sentence?
I enjoy reading, it helps me relax.
A. I enjoy reading; it helps me relax.
B. I enjoy reading it helps me relax.
C. I enjoy reading; and it helps me relax.
D. I enjoy reading however it helps me relax.
A
Fixes comma splice with semicolon
“The speaker’s long monologue caused several students to lose focus during the presentation.”
What does the prefix “mono-” most likely mean?
A. many
B. one
C. fast
D. loud
Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
A. She quickly finished her homework.
B. The dog barked loudly at the stranger.
C. Walking down the street, the trees were beautiful.
D. He carefully placed the book on the table.
C
Trees are not walking → misplaced modifier
B
Correct → ; however,
Which sentence correctly uses an -ing word as an adjective, not a noun?
A. Painting relaxes me after school.
B. The painting hanging on the wall is beautiful.
C. She enjoys painting landscapes.
D. Painting is her favorite activity.
B
“painting” describes which painting → adjective → participle
Others are gerunds (nouns)
C
Correct structure → independent ; conjunctive adverb, independent
“Without proper preparation, the team felt careless and unprepared for the competition.”
What does the suffix “-less” most likely mean in careless?
A. full of
B. without
C. before
D. again
A
“To win the game” renames goal → subject complement
Which sentence correctly uses BOTH a gerund and a participial phrase?
A. Running is fun; running down the street, she smiled.
B. Running is fun running down the street she smiled.
C. Running is fun; running down the street she smiled.
D. Running is fun, running down the street; she smiled.
A
Running = gerund
running down the street = participial phrase