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