Phrases Practice Test — Advanced

All 45 questions with answers

Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.

1. Q1___ the meeting having concluded, the board members adjourned to the lounge.

   AWith BSince CAlthough DDespite

   Answer: A. With

   The preposition 'With' is used here as an augmentor for a nominative absolute phrase ('the meeting having concluded'). This construction provides circumstantial or causal background to the main clause. 'Since' and 'Although' are subordinating conjunctions that require a finite clause (e.g., 'Since the meeting had concluded'). 'Despite' is a preposition that requires a noun phrase object (e.g., 'Despite the conclusion of the meeting'), and cannot syntactically license a participial structure with its own subject in this manner.

2. Q2Choose the correct sentence:

   AThe trees, walking down the street, swayed in the wind. BWhile walking down the street, the trees were swaying. CWalking down the street, the trees swayed in the wind. DWalking down the street, I noticed the trees swaying in the wind.

   Answer: D. Walking down the street, I noticed the trees swaying in the wind.

   In 'Walking down the street, I noticed...', the introductory adverbial participial phrase correctly modifies the subject 'I'. In the other sentences, the phrase 'Walking down the street' functions as a misplaced introductory phrase; because it is placed at the start of the sentence or next to 'the trees', it illogically implies that the trees were performing the action of walking. Only 'Walking down the street, I notic...' provides a logical agent ('I') for the action of walking.

3. Q3Which sentence correctly uses an absolute phrase?

   AThe weather is perfect, we decided to hike. BBeing the weather perfect, we decided to hike. CThe weather being perfect, we decided to hike. DThe weather was perfect, we decided to hike.

   Answer: C. The weather being perfect, we decided to hike.

   'The weather being perfect, we decided to hike' utilizes a nominative absolute phrase—a noun ('the weather') followed by a participle ('being') that modifies the entire main clause adverbially. 'The weather is perfect, we decid...' and 'The weather was perfect, we deci...' are comma splices, where two independent finite clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma. 'Being the weather perfect, we de...' is an ungrammatical inversion; a nominative absolute must lead with the noun or pronoun that serves as the subject of the participle.

4. Q4What type of phrase is 'his voice trembling' in: 'He stood before the judge, his voice trembling.'?

   AReduced relative clause BPrepositional phrase CAbsolute phrase DParticipial phrase

   Answer: C. Absolute phrase

   This is an absolute phrase (specifically a nominative absolute). It contains its own subject ('his voice') and a participle ('trembling'), allowing it to function as an independent adverbial adjunct to the entire sentence. It is not a standard participial phrase because those must share the subject of the main clause ('He'). It is not a reduced relative clause because it does not modify 'the judge' or 'He' directly, but rather adds descriptive circumstances to the whole scene.

5. Q5___ the results having been published, the researchers celebrated their success.

   AWith BWhen CAlthough DBecause

   Answer: A. With

   The word 'With' acts as an introductory particle for the nominative absolute phrase. This 'with-absolute' construction is common in formal writing to express cause or condition. 'Because', 'Although', and 'When' are subordinating conjunctions; they are grammatically incorrect here because they must be followed by a finite verb (e.g., 'Because the results were published') or a subjectless participial phrase that refers back to the main subject ('the researchers').

6. Q6Which of the following is grammatically correct?

   AThe storm passing, the flight resumed. BThe storm having passed, the flight resumed its scheduled path. CThe storm had passed, the flight resumed. DThe storm having passed, the flight resuming.

   Answer: B. The storm having passed, the flight resumed its scheduled path.

   The correct sentence uses a nominative absolute with a perfect participle ('having passed') to show that the storm's passage was completed before the flight resumed. 'The storm passing' (present participle) would imply the action is ongoing while the flight resumes, which is logically inconsistent. 'The storm had passed, the flight resumed' is a comma splice. 'The storm having passed, the flight resuming' is a sentence fragment because it lacks a finite main verb.

7. Q7Rewrite the clause 'Because the deadline had passed' as an absolute phrase.

   AThe deadline passed. BHaving passed the deadline. CThe deadline passing. DThe deadline having passed.

   Answer: D. The deadline having passed.

   To convert the finite causal clause into an absolute phrase while maintaining the perfect aspect (completion of the action), we use the noun ('The deadline') followed by the perfect participle ('having passed'). 'The deadline passing' uses a present participle, which implies the action is currently happening. 'Having passed the deadline' is a participial phrase that lacks its own subject, which would create a misplaced introductory phrase error if placed in a sentence where 'the deadline' is not the subject.

8. Q8What is the function of 'her eyes wide with curiosity' in the sentence: 'She entered the room, her eyes wide with curiosity.'?

   AAdverbial (modifying the main clause) BRelative clause CObject of the preposition DSubject complement

   Answer: A. Adverbial (modifying the main clause)

   This is an absolute phrase where the participle 'being' is elided (omitted). Absolute phrases function as adverbial adjuncts, providing background information or simultaneous descriptive detail to the entire main clause. It is not a relative clause because it lacks a relative pronoun like 'which' or 'who', and it is not a subject complement because it does not follow a linking verb to describe the subject 'She' directly within the predicate.

9. Q9___ all preparations completed, the team was ready to launch the product.

   ASince BDespite CBeing DWith

   Answer: D. With

   The augmentor 'With' is used to introduce the absolute phrase 'all preparations completed'. This structure provides the reason or state of affairs for the main clause. 'Since' is a conjunction requiring a finite clause ('Since all preparations were completed'). 'Despite' is a preposition of contrast and would require a gerund or noun phrase ('Despite all preparations having been completed'), not the past-participle absolute structure here. 'Being' as a participle would suggest an ongoing state rather than a completed one.

10. Q10Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

    AThe argument having finished, we left the room. BThe argument having finished we left the room. CThe argument having finished; we left the room. DThe argument having finished because we left the room.

    Answer: A. The argument having finished, we left the room.

    An absolute phrase uses a participial construction ('having finished') with its own noun subject ('The argument'). It functions as an adverbial adjunct and must be separated from the main clause by a comma, as in 'The argument having finished, we...'. Without the comma ('The argument having finished we ...'), the sentence is a run-on. A semicolon ('The argument having finished; we...') separates two independent finite clauses; it is incorrect after a non-finite absolute phrase. Adding 'because' ('The argument having finished bec...') subordinates the phrase to the main clause and changes the intended meaning.

11. Q11Which of the following is grammatically correct?

    AThe sun setting, we heading back. BThe sun set, we headed back. CThe sun set, we heading back. DThe sun setting, we headed back to camp.

    Answer: D. The sun setting, we headed back to camp.

    'The sun setting' is a nominative absolute phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier for the main clause 'we headed back to camp'. 'The sun setting, we heading back.' is a fragment because it contains two non-finite phrases and no finite verb. 'The sun set, we headed back.' is a comma splice, incorrectly joining two independent clauses with only a comma. 'The sun set, we heading back.' is also a fragment lacking a main finite verb.

12. Q12Which phrase is an absolute phrase?

    ATo finish the project early BHis hands covered in paint CThe man standing by the door DHaving finished the report

    Answer: B. His hands covered in paint

    An absolute phrase requires a noun or pronoun ('His hands') and a participle ('covered') to provide circumstantial context to a whole clause. 'To finish...' is an infinitive phrase. 'The man standing by the door' is a noun phrase where 'standing...' is an adjectival participial phrase (postmodifier). 'Having finished the report' is an adverbial participial phrase that lacks its own subject and must refer to the subject of the main clause.

13. Q13___ evidence to the contrary, the hypothesis remained unchanged.

    ADespite BSince CBecause DAlthough

    Answer: A. Despite

    'Despite' is a preposition that correctly takes the noun phrase 'evidence to the contrary' as its object. The other options ('Since', 'Because', 'Although') are subordinating conjunctions that must be followed by a finite clause (subject + finite verb). To use 'Because', one would need to say 'Because there was evidence to the contrary'.

14. Q14Choose the correct sentence:

    AShe sat alone, reading her book. BShe sat alone, her book was read. CShe sat alone, her book reading. DShe sat alone, her book having read.

    Answer: A. She sat alone, reading her book.

    'Reading her book' is an adverbial participial phrase modifying the main action by describing a simultaneous activity. 'Her book reading' and 'her book having read' are absolute phrases that are semantically illogical because they imply the book itself is the one performing the action of reading. 'Her book was read' creates a comma splice.

15. Q15What is the grammatical role of 'the game having been cancelled' in: 'The game having been cancelled, the crowd dispersed.'?

    APostmodifier BSubject CDirect object DAdverbial absolute phrase

    Answer: D. Adverbial absolute phrase

    This is a nominative absolute phrase. It contains its own subject ('the game') and a participle ('having been cancelled'). Its grammatical function is adverbial, as it explains the reason or circumstance for the action in the main clause ('the crowd dispersed'). It does not function as a subject or object within the main clause, nor does it modify a specific noun as an adjectival postmodifier would.

16. Q16Rewrite: 'After he had finished his work, he went home.'

    AFinished his work, he went home. BHaving finished his work, he went home. CHis work finish, he went home. DHe went home, he finished his work.

    Answer: B. Having finished his work, he went home.

    The perfect participial phrase 'Having finished his work' is the correct reduction of the temporal clause 'After he had finished...'. It functions as an adverbial adjunct and clearly shows that the work was completed before he went home. 'Finished his work' (past participle) is often used in a passive sense and is less precise here. 'He went home, he finished his work.' is ungrammatical, and 'He went home, he finished his work.' is a comma splice.

17. Q17Choose the correct sentence:

    AStartling by the sudden noise, the cat jumped. BTo startle by the noise, the cat jumped. CHaving startled by the noise, the cat jumped. DStartled by the sudden noise, the cat jumped onto the shelf.

    Answer: D. Startled by the sudden noise, the cat jumped onto the shelf.

    The past participle 'Startled' is used in an adverbial participial phrase to express a passive state (the cat was startled). 'Startling' is an active present participle, which would imply the cat was causing the startle. 'Having startled' is also active and perfective, implying the cat had already startled something else before jumping. 'Startled' correctly identifies the cat as the recipient of the surprise.

18. Q18Choose the correct sentence:

    AHaving been told the news, disbelief was the reaction. BHaving been told the news, they reacted with disbelief. CBeing told the news, the reaction was disbelief. DTold the news, the reaction was disbelief.

    Answer: B. Having been told the news, they reacted with disbelief.

    In 'Having been told the news, they ...', the participial phrase 'Having been told the news' correctly modifies the subject of the main clause, 'they', who are logically the recipients of the news. In all other options, the participial phrase is a misplaced introductory phrase: the subject of the main clause ('disbelief' or 'the reaction') cannot logically be 'told' anything, creating an illogical mismatch between the phrase and the grammatical subject.

19. Q19What type of phrase is 'having been told the news'?

    AAbsolute phrase BPerfect passive participial phrase CGerund phrase DInfinitive phrase

    Answer: B. Perfect passive participial phrase

    The phrase 'having been told the news' consists of a perfect passive participle. It is a participial phrase, not an absolute phrase, because it lacks its own subject (it relies on the main clause's subject for its logical identity). It describes an action completed in the past from a passive perspective (someone else told them the news).

20. Q20___ in the lake, the children felt refreshed.

    ASwim BSwum CSwimming DTo swim

    Answer: C. Swimming

    The present participle 'Swimming' forms an adverbial participial phrase that provides the causal or temporal context for why the children felt refreshed. 'Swim' is a base form, 'Swum' is the past participle (usually passive or used with 'have'), and 'To swim' is an infinitive of purpose, which does not fit the semantic context of a completed or ongoing state leading to refreshment.

21. Q21Choose the correct sentence:

    ASeen from afar, the house looks small. BSeeing from afar, the house looks small. CHaving seen from afar, the house looks small. DTo be seen from afar, the house looks small.

    Answer: A. Seen from afar, the house looks small.

    The past participle 'Seen' correctly introduces a reduced passive clause (meaning 'When it is seen from afar'). In this construction, the subject 'the house' is the logical object of the seeing. 'Seeing' and 'Having seen' are active forms, which would incorrectly imply that the house itself is performing the action of looking.

22. Q22Choose the correct sentence:

    AWaiting for the bus, the rain was starting. BWaiting for the bus, the rain started. CWhile I was waiting for the bus, it started to rain. DWhile waiting for the bus, the rain started.

    Answer: C. While I was waiting for the bus, it started to rain.

    'Waiting for the bus, the rain was starting', 'Waiting for the bus, the rain started', and 'While waiting for the bus, the rain started' all contain dangling modifiers because the participial phrase 'Waiting for the bus' or 'While waiting for the bus' is grammatically attached to 'the rain', implying the rain was waiting for the bus. 'While I was waiting for the bus, it started to rain' uses a full adverbial clause ('While I was waiting...') which provides a clear subject ('I'), thus avoiding the logical error.

23. Q23___ by the committee, the proposal was rejected.

    AHaving reviewed BReviewed CReviewing DTo review

    Answer: B. Reviewed

    The past participle 'Reviewed' forms a reduced passive adverbial clause. Because 'the proposal' is the receiver of the action, the passive form is required. 'Reviewing' and 'Having reviewed' are active and would suggest that the proposal was the one performing the review, which is a misplaced introductory phrase error.

24. Q24What is the full version of the reduced phrase in 'The man seated in the front row is my uncle'?

    AThe man who is seated in the front row BThe man who seats in the front row CThe man who is seating in the front row DThe man who was seating in the front row

    Answer: A. The man who is seated in the front row

    'Seated' is a past participle used adjectivally to describe a state. The underlying relative clause is 'who is seated', which uses the passive/state-describing form of the verb 'seat'. 'Who seats' is active and transitive, and 'is seating' implies an ongoing action of placing someone in a seat, rather than the state of being in one.

25. Q25Choose the correct sentence:

    ATired, she going to bed early. BHaving tired, she went to bed early. CBeing tired, she went to bed early. DTired she went to bed early.

    Answer: C. Being tired, she went to bed early.

    'Being tired' is an adverbial participial phrase that explains the reason (cause) for the main action. 'Tired' on its own can also work ('Tired, she went...'), but 'Tired she went to bed early.' lacks the necessary comma. 'Having tired' would imply she had exhausted someone else or finished the process of becoming tired, which is less natural than the state described by 'Being tired'.

26. Q26Choose the correct sentence:

    AThe exam was easy, having studied hard. BHaving studied hard, I found the exam easy. CHaving studied hard, the exam was easy. DStudied hard, the exam was easy.

    Answer: B. Having studied hard, I found the exam easy.

    The perfect participial phrase 'Having studied hard' must modify the logical agent who did the studying. In 'Having studied hard, I found the exam easy', 'I' is the subject, so it is correct. In 'Having studied hard, the exam was easy' and 'Studied hard, the exam was easy', the subject is 'the exam', which implies the exam studied hard—a classic misplaced introductory phrase error.

27. Q27___ the competition, the athlete retired.

    AWin BWon CTo win DHaving won

    Answer: D. Having won

    The perfect participle 'Having won' is used to form an adverbial participial phrase that indicates an action completed before the main verb ('retired'). Using 'Won' (the past participle) would usually create a passive meaning (e.g., 'The competition, won by the athlete...'), which does not fit the active sense required here.

28. Q28What type of phrase is 'built in 1920' in: 'The house, built in 1920, needs repairs.'?

    AGerund phrase BReduced relative clause CPrepositional phrase DAbsolute phrase

    Answer: B. Reduced relative clause

    'Built in 1920' is a reduced relative clause (short for 'which was built in 1920'). It functions as an adjectival postmodifier for 'the house'. It is not an absolute phrase because it lacks its own subject; it is not a gerund phrase because it does not function as a noun.

29. Q29Choose the correct sentence:

    ANot knowing the answer, silence was kept. BNot knowing the answer, it was kept silent. CNot knowing the answer, the silence was kept by me. DNot knowing the answer, I kept silent.

    Answer: D. Not knowing the answer, I kept silent.

    The adverbial participial phrase 'Not knowing the answer' must modify the logical subject 'I'. In the other options, the subjects are 'silence' or 'it', which cannot logically possess knowledge of an answer. This creates a misplaced introductory phrase error.

30. Q30Choose the correct sentence:

    ALeaving the office, the lights were turned off. BLeaving the office, I turned off the lights. CLeaving the office, the lights turned off. DTurning off the lights, the office was left.

    Answer: B. Leaving the office, I turned off the lights.

    The subject of the main clause must be the logical agent of the action in the participial phrase. 'I' can leave an office, but 'the lights' cannot. 'Leaving the office, I turned off...' correctly aligns the modifier with the person performing the action, avoiding a misplaced introductory phrase.

31. Q31In the sentence 'To solve this problem is our priority', what is the function of the infinitive phrase?

    APostmodifier BAdverbial CSubject DObject

    Answer: C. Subject

    The infinitive phrase 'To solve this problem' functions as the grammatical subject of the sentence. It precedes the linking verb 'is' and tells us what 'our priority' is. Infinitive phrases often serve as subjects when discussing hypothetical or abstract goals.

32. Q32In the sentence 'She enjoys reading historical novels', what is the function of the gerund phrase?

    ASubject complement BDirect object CAdverbial DSubject

    Answer: B. Direct object

    The gerund phrase 'reading historical novels' functions as the direct object of the transitive verb 'enjoys'. It answers the question 'What does she enjoy?' and occupies the typical position of a noun phrase object.

33. Q33In the sentence 'The decision to leave was sudden', what is the function of the infinitive phrase?

    ASubject BPostmodifier (of the noun 'decision') CObject DAdverbial

    Answer: B. Postmodifier (of the noun 'decision')

    The infinitive phrase 'to leave' functions as an adjectival postmodifier (also known as a noun complement) for the noun 'decision'. It specifies the content of the decision. It does not function as the subject itself; 'The decision to leave' as a whole is the subject.

34. Q34In the sentence 'He is planning to travel abroad', what is the function of the infinitive phrase?

    ASubject complement BDirect object CAdverbial DPostmodifier

    Answer: B. Direct object

    The infinitive phrase 'to travel abroad' functions as the direct object of the verb 'planning'. It specifies the action that is being planned by the subject 'He'.

35. Q35In the sentence 'The best way to learn is by practicing', what is the function of the phrase 'by practicing'?

    AObject BAdverbial CSubject complement DPostmodifier

    Answer: B. Adverbial

    The prepositional phrase 'by practicing' functions as an adverbial of manner. It modifies the predicate by explaining the method or means by which the 'learning' occurs. It is not a subject complement because it does not rename the subject 'The best way to learn', but rather describes how the goal is achieved.

36. Q36Label the function of 'in the garden' in: 'They sat in the garden.'

    ASubject BSubject complement CPostmodifier DAdverbial (place)

    Answer: D. Adverbial (place)

    The prepositional phrase 'in the garden' functions as a locative adverbial (an adverbial of place). it provides information about where the action of sitting occurred. It is not a postmodifier because it is not being used to identify which 'they' we are talking about; it describes the action.

37. Q37In 'The man in the blue suit is my boss', what is the function of 'in the blue suit'?

    AAdverbial BPostmodifier (of the noun 'man') CDirect object DSubject complement

    Answer: B. Postmodifier (of the noun 'man')

    The prepositional phrase 'in the blue suit' functions as an adjectival postmodifier of the noun 'man'. It serves to identify or restrict which man is being referred to. It differs from an adverbial phrase because it modifies the noun phrase, not the verb or the entire clause.

38. Q38In 'My goal is to finish the marathon', what is the function of 'to finish the marathon'?

    ADirect object BPostmodifier CSubject complement DAdverbial

    Answer: C. Subject complement

    The infinitive phrase 'to finish the marathon' functions as a subject complement (specifically a predicative nominative). Following the linking verb 'is', it renames or defines the subject 'My goal'. It is not a direct object because 'is' is not an action verb.

39. Q39In 'He worked hard to earn extra money', what is the function of 'to earn extra money'?

    ASubject complement BAdverbial (purpose) CDirect object DPostmodifier

    Answer: B. Adverbial (purpose)

    The infinitive phrase 'to earn extra money' functions as an adverbial of purpose (a teleological adjunct). It explains the reason why the subject 'He' performed the action 'worked hard'.

40. Q40In 'Walking every day is good for your health', what is the function of 'Walking every day'?

    ADirect object BAdverbial CPostmodifier DSubject

    Answer: D. Subject

    The gerund phrase 'Walking every day' functions as the grammatical subject of the sentence. It represents the activity being discussed and governs the singular verb 'is'.

41. Q41In 'She looked at the painting on the wall', what is the function of 'on the wall'?

    ASubject complement BPostmodifier (of 'painting') CDirect object DAdverbial

    Answer: B. Postmodifier (of 'painting')

    The prepositional phrase 'on the wall' functions as an adjectival postmodifier that restricts the noun 'painting' by specifying its location. While it denotes place, its grammatical role here is to modify the noun object, not the verb 'looked'.

42. Q42In 'They were happy to see him', what is the function of 'to see him'?

    ADirect object BAdverbial (modifying adjective) CSubject complement DPostmodifier

    Answer: B. Adverbial (modifying adjective)

    The infinitive phrase 'to see him' functions as an adverbial complement to the adjective 'happy'. It explains the reason or basis for the emotional state of the subject. In linguistics, this is often called an adjective complement.

43. Q43Identify the function of 'to be honest' in: 'To be honest, I did not like the movie.'

    AAdverbial (sentence modifier) BSubject CPostmodifier DDirect object

    Answer: A. Adverbial (sentence modifier)

    The infinitive phrase 'To be honest' acts as a sentence modifier (also known as a disjunct). It does not modify a specific verb or noun within the sentence but provides metalinguistic commentary on the speaker's attitude or the truthfulness of the entire following statement.

44. Q44In 'I find it difficult to wake up early', what is the function of 'to wake up early'?

    APostmodifier BDirect object CAdverbial DSubject

    Answer: B. Direct object

    In this sentence, 'it' is an expletive or 'dummy' object that holds the place for the actual direct object. The infinitive phrase 'to wake up early' is the semantic direct object (extraposed object) of the verb 'find'. The word 'difficult' is an object complement describing that object.

45. Q45In 'The suggestion that we should leave was ignored', what is the function of 'that we should leave'?

    ASubject BPostmodifier (noun clause) CAdverbial DDirect object

    Answer: B. Postmodifier (noun clause)

    The finite 'that'-clause 'that we should leave' functions as a noun complement clause (a postmodifier). It defines the specific content of the abstract noun 'suggestion'. It is distinct from a relative clause because 'that' is a complementizer, not a relative pronoun representing a noun.