Grammar--Phrases and Clauses

phrase (definition)

a group of related words that do not include a verb and its subject

clause (definition)

a group of words that include a verb and its subject
(The shortest of these might be "Go," with the understood subject ["You"].)

appositive phrase (definition)

a noun phrase that renames or explains another noun in a sentence
This phrase follows the noun it renames and is set off by commas.

prepositional phrase (definition)

a phrase that begins with a preposition and ends with the object of the preposition
(Ex: "of the cloud" or "behind the curtain")

verbal phrase (definition)

a phrase that begins with a word that looks like a verb, but that is NOT used as the verb in a sentence
(Ex: 'Swimming in a pond', I feel refreshed.)

independent clause (definition)

a group of words that include a verb and its subject and express a complete thought

subordinate clause (definition)

a group of words that include a verb and its subject but do NOT express a complete thought
(Ex: When I arrived at the track meet)

prepositional phrases (examples)

around the cloud; after the game; into the ocean; under a rock; of the beach

appositive phrases (examples)

the best student in class; a general in the army; a friend to poor people

verbal phrases (examples)

swimming in the lake; feeling uncomfortable; thrilled to join them; to walk away

independent clause (example)

he fell into the river with all his clothes on

subordinate clause (example)

when he tripped on the narrow footbridge

subordinate clause fragment (definition)

a group of words with a verb and its subject that doesn't express a complete thought but tries to pass as a sentence

phrase fragment (definition)

a group of words without a verb or a subject that tries to pass as a sentence

fragment (definition)

a phrase or a clause that doesn't express a complete thought but that is presented as a sentence by itself

run-on sentence (definition)

two or more complete sentences that are written as one sentence--there are two kinds: fused and comma splice+

conjunctive adverbs (examples)

however; therefore; in fact; moreover

coordinating conjunctions (examples)

and, so, but, yet, nor, or

subordinating conjunctions (examples)

although, as, because, since, while, whenever

...compound sentences

Using options 1, 2, and 3 (coordination) creates...

...complex sentences

Using options 4 and 5 (subordination) creates...

dependent clause

another term for subordinate clause