Phrases and Clauses

Front

What is a phrase?

Back

A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject-verb pair and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

What is a clause?

Back

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. It can be independent (able to stand alone) or dependent (cannot stand alone).

Front

Can a clause stand alone as a sentence?

Back

Yes, an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

Can a phrase stand alone as a sentence?

Back

No, a phrase cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

Example of a phrase:

Back

'in the park' is a phrase because it does not have a subject and verb.

Front

Example of an independent clause:

Back

'I study hard' is an independent clause because it has a subject and a verb and can stand alone.

Front

Example of a dependent clause:

Back

'Until the sun sets' is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

What is the difference between a phrase and a clause?

Back

A phrase does not have a subject-verb pair and cannot stand alone, while a clause has a subject-verb pair and can be independent or dependent.

Front

Identify the clause in this sentence: 'I want to go to the movies.'

Back

'I want to go to the movies' is an independent clause.

Front

Identify the phrase in this sentence: 'After the rain stopped.'

Back

'After the rain stopped' is a dependent clause, not a phrase.