A PHRASE Consists of at least two words used together, forming part of a sentence, but not making complete sense when standing alone. The words the, a, or an, when used with a noun, are not supposed to constitute a phrase.

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A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and the noun or pronoun that follows it.

An adjective phrase is a phrase beginning with an adjective.

A participial phrase is one in which the principal word is a participle.

Adverbial phrases may begin with adverbs, or may consist of prepositional phrases having the same meaning; as, in vain, for vainly in haste, for hastily.

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NOTE.-The definition of phrases given above has reference to their form, and not to their use as modifiers.

ADJECTIVE PHRASES.

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RULE 1.-Adjective Phrases are set off by commas. EXAMPLES.

1.-Mary, faithful to her promise, brought me the message.

2.-Awkward in person, he was ill adapted to gain

respect.

3.-So breaks on the traveller, faint and astray,

The bright and the balmy effulgence of morn! 4. Thou eye among the blind that, deaf and silent, readest the eternal deep, haunted forever by the eternal mind!

5.-High though his titles, proud his name, boundless his wealth as wish can claim.

PARTICIPIAL PHRASES.

RULE II.-Participial Phrases are set off by commas. EXAMPLES.

1.—The boy, laughing merrily, ran down the

street.

2.-Mary, puzzled by this statement, awaited further explanation.

3.-She, spurning with her foot the ground, leaps into the Ocean's arms.

4.-A thousand miles from land are we, tossing es

about on the restless sea.

5.-Judging from his dress, I should pronounce him an artisan.

6.- Alexander, inheriting the military genius of his father, was a great soldier.

7.-The philosopher, amazed at the result of his experiment,, stood with his hand upon the shattered crucible.

ranajia.

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The Comma.-Phrases.

APPOSITIVE PHRASES.

RULE III.-Appositive Phrases are set off by commas.
EXAMPLES.

1.-We, the people of the United States, do here-
by ordain and establish this Constitution.
2. Vergil, the chief poet among the Romans, was
fond of rural life.

3.-There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, to bless the turf that wraps their clay.

4.-Pompey, the great rival of Caesar, was defeated in the battle of Pharsalia

5. A sailor lad, son of the great admiral, stood on the deck of the vessel, gazing at the glorious sunset.

NOTE 1.-A comma is used between two nouns or pronouns that are used synonymously.

EXAMPLE.

A son, John, was born after the father' death.

NOTE 2.-A comma is used before and after a noun inserted by way of explanation.

EXAMPLE.

The wisest of men, Solomon, became a fool.

PARENTHETICAL PHRASES.

in short,

RULE IV.-Parenthetical Phrases, such as
course, to be sure, after all,"
are set off by commas.

1.

EXAMPLES.

I think, on the whole, you were right. 2. Thou knowest, come what may, that the light of truth can never be put out.

3. It is mind, after all, which does the work of the world.

4. The ship leaps, as it were, from billow to billow.

5.-True it is, that were we cast from birth into solitude, we should grow up in brutal ignorance.

6. When, however, the hour for the trial came, the man was not to be found.