Parallel Structure of Phrases and Clauses

There are three types of phrases:

1. Gerund phrase

A gerund phrase consists of a word ending in -ing and all other words included in it. The gerund is formed from a verb and functions as a noun. Since the gerund functions as a noun, it can be used as a subject, predicate nominative, or object of a sentence.

Examples:

Gerund (-ing form)	Gerund Phrase
meeting	meeting wolf
hunting	hunting dear for dinner
playing	playing fiddle at the court

2. Infinitive phrase

An infinitive phrase combines the preposition to and the base form of the verb (infinitive), and all other words that go with it. It is used as a noun or a modifier. The infinitive phrase as a noun can also be used as a subject, predicate nominative, and object of a sentence.

Examples:

Infinitive (to + base form of the verb)	Infinitive Phrase
to forsake	to forsake his land
to seek	to seek elsewhere
to work	to work in a strange land

3. Prepositional Phrase

A prepositional phrase is a combination of a preposition and a noun or pronoun.

Examples:

Preposition	Prepositional Phrase
among	among strangers
for	for much-needed work
with	with his great uncle