Question

Identify each of these sentences containing either a participle phrase, a gerund phrase, or an infinitive phrase. 1 we decided to sail across the lake. 2 Tachels favorite pastimes are dancing and reading 3 we watched the children playing soccer

Answer 1

1. We decided to sale across the lake - Infinitive phrase
2. Tachel's favourite pastimes are dancing and reading - Gerund phrase
3. We watched the children playing soccer - Participle phrase

Answer 2

1. We decided to sail across the lake – Infinitive phrase.

An Infinitive phrase is a sentence that uses an infinitive (to + verb ). Word that expresses action. “TO SAIL” would be the infinitive.

2. Tachels favorite pastimes are dancing and reading – Gerund phrase.

Gerunds are “ing” words. They always function as a noun. In this case the gerund would be “dancing and reading” accompanied by its modifiers.

3. We watched the children playing soccer – Participle phrase.

A participle is a verb ending in “ing” that modifies a noun. In this case “playing” would be the present participle which modifies the noun that in this case is “children”.