Phrases and Clauses

A phrase is a group of words that work together but do not contain a subject-verb pair. For example, 'on every conceivable subject'.

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. Clauses can be independent or dependent.

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It expresses a complete thought. For example, 'We can all go home.'

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It does not express a complete thought. For example, 'While Richard was out of the country'.

A phrase does not have a subject-verb pair, while a clause does. Clauses can be independent or dependent.

No, a dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought.

'He couldn’t have been happier.' This is an independent clause because it has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

'While Richard was out of the country.' This is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Phrases add detail and context to sentences but do not contain a subject-verb pair.

A noun phrase is a phrase that acts as a noun in a sentence. For example, 'the legendary Robin Hood'.