An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase, which is made up of two main components: a preposition and an object of the preposition.  When the prepositional phrase is used as an adverb, it is an adverb phrase.

 1. An adverb phrase simply says in a different way what an adverb says in a single word.

  Example: They started {for home}.  They started {home}.

2. The object of the preposition may have modifiers.

Example: The inspector .stopped. {at the [first] soldier}. (first is an adjective that modifies the noun soldier)

3. Adverb phrases do the same thing as adverbs.  They tell how, when, where, and how much about other words.  They may even tell why:

Mom .cleans. /house/ {on Tuesday mornings}.  (when)

He .carpools. {with two friends}.  (how)They .work. {at the same office building}. (where)

Jim .is. \ahead\ {by three points}. (how much)

The brothers .play. /golf/ {for fun}. (why) 

4. Sometimes an adverb phrase can express an idea more clearly than a one-word adverb: 

Example:

The rabbit ran {into the pasture}.
{into the pasture} cannot be replaced with a single adverb

5. An adverb phrase will sometimes modify a participle adjective: 

Example: The woman [looking {at us}] is a police officer. 

6. The indirect object is a special kind of adverb phrase in which the preposition is understood.  An indirect object modifies the verb every time and usually comes between it and the direct object. 

7. The indirect object can be compound or it may have adjectives modifying it. 

Examples: 

You .should tell. {‘him and me} the /truth/. (“to” is missing)
You should tell {to him and me} the /truth/.   (“to” is present)
Mark .bought. {‘his little brother} a /truck/.            
Mark .bought. {for his little brother} a /truck/. 

8. Adverb phrases can be compound, or they may have compound objects: 

Test, Lesson 19

Instructions: Write the sentences on a separate sheet of paper and answer all of the questions. 

1. What does an adverb phrase do in a sentence and how is it marked? 

2. How is an adverb phrase made up? 

3. What does an adverb say in a sentence? 

4. What do adverbs tell about other words? 

5. Write five sentences using adverb phrases. Tell when, how, where, how much, and why. 

6. What is an indirect object and how is it marked? 

7. What does an indirect object do in a sentence? 

8. Where is the indirect object placed in a sentence? 

9. Write two sentences using indirect objects. 

10. Write two sentences using compound adverb phrases.

Exercise, Lesson 19

Instructions: Read, study, and memorize the key teaching points regarding this lesson. When you can recall and discuss the information with understanding, take the test.

 

What to learn about adverb phrases: 

1. An adverb phrase is made up of two main components: a preposition and the object of the preposition. 

2. An adverb phrase simply says in a different way what an adverb says in a single word. 

3. The object of a preposition may have modifiers. 

4. Adverb phrases do the same thing as adverbs.  They tell how,                  when, where, and how much about other words.  They may even               tell why. 

5. Sometimes an adverb phrase can express an idea more clearly than a one-word   adverb. 

6.  An adverb phrase will sometimes modify a participle adjective. 

7. The indirect object is a special kind of adverb phrase in which the preposition is understood. 

8. An indirect object modifies the verb every time and usually comes between it and the direct object. 

9. The indirect object can be compound or it may have adjectives modifying it. 

10. Adverb phrases can be compound, or they may have compound objects.

Marking Sentences 

Instructions: Mark the subjects, verbs, objects, complements, adjectives, and adverb phrases in the following sentences. 

1. We headed back to our campsite before dark.

2. Wait for me and Joe at the clubhouse.

3. Larry actually built himself a small boat.

4. That girl can swim like a shark.

5. After the movie, will you give me your impression of the starring actor?

6. After three weeks, they began the long trip home.

7. We left for home before the storm.

8. Will you bring me the books lying on the table?

9. Would you rather work inside or outside?

10. She opened her presents like a pro.