Published on
June 27, 2024
by
Sophie Shores, MA
Revised on
March 7, 2025
We use the simple present tense for verbs when we want to describe regularly occurring actions, states that don’t change, general truths, and scheduled events.
Usually, the simple present tense is the same as the verb’s base (aka infinitive) form (e.g., “call”). For sentences using the third person singular (e.g., “he,” “she,” and “it”), add “-s” to the end of the verb (e.g., “I run,” “she runs”).
Published on
June 27, 2024
by
Sophie Shores, MA
Revised on
July 14, 2025
Modal verbs (aka modal auxiliary verbs) are used alongside the main verb to provide additional context regarding possibility, intention, permission, or obligation.
For example, “will” is a modal verb that indicates a person’s intention to do something or that something is certain or expected to happen. It’s used to form the future tenses (e.g., “we will be there soon”).
Examples: Modal verbs in a sentenceI canread Korean.
Published on
June 27, 2024
by
Sophie Shores, MA
Revised on
October 27, 2025
Complete sentences usually have a subject and a predicate. The predicate contains the verb and tells us what the subject is doing or what it is.
A predicate adjective describes the subject within the predicate and is used with linking verbs. Linking verbs, such as “be,” indicate conditions or states of being rather than actions.
Predicate adjective examplesThe singer’s smile was captivating.
Published on
June 26, 2024
by
Sophie Shores, MA
Revised on
March 25, 2025
An infinitive phrase is formed when aninfinitive is followed by modifiers (e.g., adverbs) or complements (e.g., direct objects). Infinitive phrases can be used in the same ways as infinitives: as nouns, adverbs, and adjectives.
Infinitive phrase examplesI told her to look discreetly.
Published on
June 26, 2024
by
Sophie Shores, MA
Revised on
October 27, 2025
Conjunctive adverbs (e.g., “however,” “therefore”) are adverbs that act in a similar way to conjunctions, linking the ideas in two sentences or statements together. Rather than modifying a single word, they modify the whole clause to express contrast, cause and effect, comparison, and other connections between two sentences or phrases.
Conjunctive adverb examplesParticipants completed a questionnaire. Subsequently, they took a personality test.
It was too late to go to the party. Besides, he didn’t have anything to wear.
Franz went on a diet. As a result, he built some muscle.
Published on
June 26, 2024
by
Sophie Shores, MA
Revised on
October 30, 2025
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition (e.g., “in,” “with,” “of”), an object, and any modifiers. It usually provides more information about a thing or an action. For example, prepositional phrases can tell us when, how, or where something is done, or they can clarify which person or thing is being talked about.
Prepositional phrase examplesI’ll go shopping in the morning.
In English, an infinitive is a verb form that is the same as the base or dictionary form. A full infinitive (aka to-infinitive) is preceded by “to” (e.g., “to study,” “to run”), while a bare infinitive is not (e.g., “study,” “run”).
A split infinitive occurs when another word separates “to” from the verb in a full infinitive.
Split infinitive examplesI told him to carefully review the material.
Published on
June 26, 2024
by
Sophie Shores, MA
Revised on
August 14, 2025
A verb phrase is a group of words that functions as a verb in a sentence. It typically includes a main verb and any auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) or modifiers that accompany it. Verb phrases express the action, state, or occurrence of the subject of a sentence or clause, and can convey information about tense, mood, and voice.
Verb phrase examplesKanoko climbed Mount Everest.
Kanoko had beenclimbing Mount Everest for hours.
Kanoko willclimb Mount Everest.
NoteIn this article, we define verb phrases as consisting of the main verb of a sentence, along with any modal and auxiliary verbs. However, definitions of verb phrases are not always consistent. Some sources also include objects, prepositional phrases, or adverbs as part of the verb phrase.
Published on
June 26, 2024
by
Sophie Shores, MA
Revised on
March 4, 2025
A dangling participle occurs when an introductory participial phrase is followed by a different noun than the one it describes. The correct noun could be misplaced or missing from the sentence.
Dangling participle examplesSwimming in the tank, the cat watched the tropical fish. [implies the cat is swimming in the tank] Hanging out the laundry, the bedsheet fell in a muddy puddle. [implies the bedsheet is hanging out the laundry]
