Phrases & Clauses

Vocabulary flashcards covering phrases, clauses, independent clauses, and dependent clauses based on the lecture notes.

Phrase

A group of words that work together in a sentence but do not have both a subject and verb. It may have one or the other, but not both, and cannot stand alone as a complete thought.

Clause

A group of words that work together in a sentence where every clause has both a subject and a verb.

Independent Clause

A clause containing a subject and a verb that can stand alone as a complete thought, either as a sentence on its own or as part of a bigger sentence.

Dependent Clause

A clause containing a subject and a verb that cannot stand alone as a complete thought.

Method for Identifying Phrases and Clauses

Look for a subject and verb in the word group: if you find none or only one, it is a phrase; if you find both, it is a clause.

Dependent Clause Introductory Words

Words that often begin dependent clauses, including although, before, after, since, because, while, until, and if.