Phrases and clauses

PHRASES AND CLAUSES

OVERVIEW

  • Phrase: A group of words without a subject-verb agreement.

  • Clause: A group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

  • Independent Clause: Makes sense on its own as a sentence.

  • Dependent Clause: Does not make sense on its own as a sentence.

PHRASES

  • A phrase is defined as any collection of words that functions as a unit within a sentence but does not contain both a subject and a verb.

NOUN PHRASE

  • Definition: A noun phrase acts as a noun within a sentence.

  • Examples:

    • the little boy

    • the happy puppy

    • the building on the corner

    • the sharp pencil

VERB PHRASE

  • Definition: A verb phrase includes the main verb and any auxiliary (helping) verbs.

  • Examples:

    • is writing

    • must make

    • might eat

    • was walking

    • got married

ADJECTIVE PHRASE

  • Definition: An adjective phrase modifies a noun or pronoun.

  • Examples:

    • A person smarter than me needs to figure this out.

    • Everyone was extremely delighted when the winner was announced.

    • Mom said the cost of a car is way too high.

    • Faster than a speeding bullet, Superman saved the day.

    • Her eyes were incredibly mesmerizing to the young man.

    • The highly emotive actor gave a wonderful performance.

ADVERB PHRASE

  • Definition: An adverb phrase modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.

  • Examples:

    • The dog came in for his bath, incredibly reluctantly.

    • We strolled through the gardens very slowly.

    • He made his decision as quickly as possible.

    • She flew the plane through the fog calmly and skillfully.

    • Truly happy, I gave him my answer.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE AS ADJECTIVE

  • Definition: A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun.

  • Examples:

    • The book with the tattered cover has been read many times.

    • A man with a grey hair is my grandfather.

    • The present inside the big box is mine.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE AS ADVERB

  • Definition: A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or an adjective.

  • Examples:

    • The girl feels comfortable with her new dress.

    • She is in the room.

    • She stays outside during the argument.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE AS A NOUN

  • Definition: A prepositional phrase that functions as a noun within the sentence.

  • Examples:

    • After studying is the best time to relax.

    • We advanced to within a few steps from the commotion.

    • The best time to nap is after lunch.

CLAUSES

  • A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. It can be either independent or dependent.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

  • Definition: A clause that can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought.

  • Example: Robert delivers papers before he comes to school.

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

  • Definition: A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It needs to be connected to an independent clause.

  • Example: Although you can’t see me, I can see you. (Note: same example used as the independent clause.)

DISCUSSION: CLAUSE OR PHRASE?

  1. the big dog - Phrase

  2. She went to the park yesterday. - Clause

  3. had been studying - Phrase

  4. on the shelf - Phrase

  5. If you finish your homework - Dependent Clause

  6. Although you can’t see me, I can see you. - Independent Clause (also as another example for dependent)

  7. She is talking on the phone now. - Clause

  8. When you cross the road - Dependent Clause

  9. very beautiful - Phrase

  10. on the 15th - Phrase

SUMMARY

  • Phrases are groups of words that lack a subject-verb combination and function as a single unit within a sentence. They can be noun, verb, adjective, adverb, or prepositional (acting as an adjective, adverb, or noun) types.

  • Clauses are groups of words that contain both a subject and a verb.

    • An Independent Clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

    • A Dependent Clause does not express a complete thought and must be attached to an independent clause