read the sentence. writers use verbal phrases containing gerunds, infinitives, and participles to add…

Brief Explanations:

A gerund phrase starts with a gerund (verb - ing form used as a noun). An infinitive phrase starts with 'to' + verb. A participial phrase starts with a present (verb - ing) or past (verb + ed) participle and functions as an adjective. A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition. Since the question doesn't show the underlined phrase, we assume basic knowledge of verbal phrases. Verbal phrases with gerunds, infinitives, and participles are not prepositional phrases. Without seeing the underlined part, if we consider the general types mentioned, we need to know the form of the underlined part. But if we assume a common - sense approach among the non - prepositional options, we need more context. However, if we just go by the types listed, we eliminate prepositional phrase.

Answer:

Since the underlined phrase is not shown, we cannot accurately determine. But if we eliminate the prepositional phrase option as it is not a verbal phrase with gerund, infinitive or participle, the possible answers could be: a gerund phrase, an infinitive phrase, a participial phrase depending on the actual underlined part.