Phrases and Clauses

 What is a Phrase?

• A phrase is a group of words without a subject and verb.
• It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
• Functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.

Examples:

•   in the park (prepositional phrase)
•   to run fast (infinitive phrase)

Types of Phrases

• Noun Phrase – The big black dog
• Adjective Phrase – Full of charm
• Adverb Phrase – In the early morning
• Prepositional Phrase – On the chair
• Infinitive Phrase – To win the race
• Gerund Phrase – Running every day

What is a Clause?

• A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb.
• It can be independent (complete sentence) or dependent (incomplete).

Examples:

• She laughed. (Independent)
• Because she was tired (Dependent)

Types of Clauses

• Independent Clause – Can stand alone.
• Dependent Clause – Cannot stand alone.
• Dependent clauses begin with:

                                                            – Time: when, after, before

                                                            – Cause: because, since

                                                            – Condition: if, unless

                                                            – Contrast: although, whereas

Phrase vs Clause

• Phrase: No subject or verb, cannot stand alone.
• Clause: Has subject and verb, may stand alone.

Examples:

• Phrase – under the table
• Clause – She sat
• Clause + Phrase: She sat under the table

TYPES OF PHRASES

🔹 1. Noun Phrase

• Acts like a noun in a sentence.
• Can be the subject or object.

🧠 Think: A person, place, thing, or idea with description.

Example:

• The little boy kicked the ball.("The little boy" = noun phrase acting as subject)

🔹2. Adjective Phrase

• Describes or gives more information about a noun.
• Often includes a preposition.

Example:

• The cake with chocolate frosting is delicious.("with chocolate frosting" = adjective phrase describing "cake")

🔹3. Adverb Phrase

• Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
• Often answers: When? Where? How? Why?

Example:

• She sang in a loud voice. ("in a loud voice" = adverb phrase modifying "sang")

🔹 4. Prepositional Phrase

• Begins with a preposition and ends with a noun/pronoun.
• Functions as either adjective or adverb.

Example:

• The cat is under the table.("under the table" = prepositional phrase)

🔹 5. Infinitive Phrase

• Starts with to + base verb, can act like noun, adjective, or adverb.

Example:

• He wants to travel the world.("to travel the world" = infinitive phrase)

🔹 6. Gerund Phrase

• Begins with a verb ending in -ing, used as a noun.

Example:

• Running in the morning is healthy.("Running in the morning" = gerund phrase acting as subject)

TYPES OF CLAUSES

🔹 1. Independent Clause

• Has a subject and verb.
• Can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Example:

• I enjoy reading.(Complete sentence → Independent Clause)

🔹 2. Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause)

• Has a subject and verb.
• Cannot stand alone—needs an independent clause.
• Often starts with subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when, if, etc.)

Example:

• Because it was raining (Not a complete thought by itself → needs more)

Types of Dependent Clauses

a) Adjective Clause

• Describes a noun, starts with: who, whom, which, that, whose

Example:

The book that I borrowed was amazing.

b) Adverb Clause

• Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
• Starts with: because, although, when, if, since, while, etc.

Example:

• I left because I was tired

c) Noun Clause

• Acts like a noun (subject or object).
• Starts with: that, what, whatever, how, who, whether, etc.

Example:

• What she said made sense.

Summary

• Phrases = no subject/verb, incomplete idea.
• Clauses = subject + verb, may be complete or incomplete.
• Knowing the difference helps with sentence structure and writing.