Phrases and Clauses 1

Front

What is a phrase?

Back

A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject-verb pair and does not express a complete thought.

Front

What is a clause?

Back

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and can express a complete thought (independent clause) or may not express a complete thought (dependent clause).

Front

Identify the following as a phrase or clause: 'the man with the big smile'.

Back

Phrase.

Front

Identify the following as a phrase or clause: 'He's waiting for the bus'.

Back

Clause.

Front

Identify the following as a phrase or clause: 'patiently with 50 other people'.

Back

Phrase.

Front

Identify the following as a phrase or clause: 'standing on the corner'.

Back

Phrase.

Front

Identify the following as a phrase or clause: 'ran down the hill'.

Back

Phrase.

Front

What is the difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause?

Back

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone and needs an independent clause to form a complete thought.

Front

Give an example of an independent clause.

Back

'She enjoys reading books.'

Front

Give an example of a dependent clause.

Back

'Although she enjoys reading books...' (this cannot stand alone as a complete sentence).