CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
In the phrase "the extremely difficult question," what is the head word?
A. the
B. extremely
C. question
D. difficult
Correct Answer: C
"Question" is the central noun; the article and modifiers depend on it, making the whole expression a noun phrase.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which is NOT a necessary feature of every phrase?
A. A grammatical function
B. A finite verb
C. One or more related words
D. A relationship to another part of the sentence
Correct Answer: B
Many phrases contain no finite verb at all. A finite verb is a defining feature of a clause, not of every phrase.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase type can function either adjectivally or adverbially depending on its use?
A. Prepositional phrase
B. Only noun phrase
C. Only gerund phrase
D. Only appositive phrase
Correct Answer: A
Prepositional phrases often act as adjectives when modifying nouns and as adverbs when modifying verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
A phrase can contain another phrase within it. This is called what?
A. Agreement
B. Ellipsis only
C. Conjugation
D. Embedding
Correct Answer: D
Phrases may be embedded within larger phrases; for example, a noun phrase may contain a prepositional phrase modifying its head noun.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which element is usually the head of an adverb phrase?
A. A noun
B. A preposition
C. An adverb
D. A pronoun
Correct Answer: C
An adverb phrase is centered on an adverb and functions adverbially.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which element is usually the head of an adjective phrase?
A. A noun
B. An adjective
C. A finite verb
D. A conjunction
Correct Answer: B
An adjective phrase is centered on an adjective, which may be modified by adverbs or followed by complements.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which element is usually the head of a noun phrase?
A. A noun or pronoun
B. A preposition
C. A conjunction
D. An adverb
Correct Answer: A
The head determines the grammatical type of the phrase; in a noun phrase the head is a noun or pronoun.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
An absolute phrase usually modifies what?
A. Only the noun immediately before it
B. Only an adjective
C. Only a preposition
D. The whole clause or sentence
Correct Answer: D
An absolute phrase is loosely attached to the sentence and provides background or circumstantial information about the entire clause.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
An appositive phrase normally does what?
A. Modifies a verb by showing manner
B. Introduces a dependent clause
C. Renames or explains a nearby noun or pronoun
D. Forms the main predicate
Correct Answer: C
An appositive phrase identifies, renames, or gives additional information about a noun or pronoun beside it.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is built around a participle and functions adjectivally?
A. Gerund phrase
B. Participial phrase
C. Noun phrase
D. Verb phrase
Correct Answer: B
A participial phrase begins with a present or past participle and modifies a noun or pronoun.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is built around a gerund?
A. Gerund phrase
B. Infinitive phrase
C. Participial phrase
D. Adverb phrase
Correct Answer: A
A gerund phrase begins with a gerund (-ing form functioning as a noun) and includes its complements/modifiers.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is built around an infinitive?
A. Gerund phrase
B. Appositive phrase
C. Absolute phrase
D. Infinitive phrase
Correct Answer: D
An infinitive phrase begins with an infinitive, usually "to + base verb," together with its complements or modifiers.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which type of phrase contains a main verb together with one or more helping verbs?
A. Gerund phrase
B. Noun phrase
C. Verb phrase
D. Prepositional phrase
Correct Answer: C
A verb phrase commonly contains a main verb and any auxiliary/helping verbs that accompany it.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which is the basic structure of a prepositional phrase?
A. Subject + finite verb
B. Preposition + object of the preposition
C. Auxiliary + main verb only
D. Article + adjective only
Correct Answer: B
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition followed by its object, often with modifiers.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
A prepositional phrase normally begins with what?
A. A preposition
B. An auxiliary verb
C. A coordinating conjunction
D. An article only
Correct Answer: A
A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and includes its object and any modifiers of that object.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which type of phrase primarily modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb?
A. Noun phrase
B. Adjective phrase
C. Appositive phrase
D. Adverb phrase
Correct Answer: D
An adverb phrase supplies information such as manner, time, place, reason, degree, or frequency.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which type of phrase primarily modifies a noun or pronoun?
A. Noun phrase
B. Adverb phrase
C. Adjective phrase
D. Verb phrase
Correct Answer: C
An adjective phrase performs the work of an adjective by describing or limiting a noun or pronoun.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which type of phrase functions primarily as a noun?
A. Adverb phrase
B. Noun phrase
C. Prepositional phrase
D. Participial phrase
Correct Answer: B
A noun phrase has a noun or pronoun as its head and performs noun functions such as subject, object, or complement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
A phrase may function in a sentence as which of the following?
A. A noun, adjective, adverb, or other grammatical unit
B. Only as a noun
C. Only as an adjective
D. Only as an adverb
Correct Answer: A
Different phrases perform different functions: noun phrases act like nouns, adjective phrases modify nouns, adverb phrases modify verbs/adjectives/adverbs, and so on.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which of the following is a clause rather than a phrase?
A. after the meeting
B. in the morning
C. to finish the work
D. when the rain stopped
Correct Answer: D
"When the rain stopped" contains the subject "rain" and the finite verb "stopped," so it is a clause.