Phrases and Clauses

Phrases and Clauses

Before we get started, let's talk about subjects and verbs

• Subject - who or what the sentence is about

• Verb - action word

Sentences are made with phrases and clauses.

• A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb

• A phrase is a group of words that is missing either a subject or a verb.

Now it's your turn

Decide if the group of words is a phrase or a clause

Sentences are made with phrases and clauses.

• A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb

• A phrase is a group of words that is missing either a subject or a verb.

Multiple Choice

The dog ran quickly down the road

• clause

• phrase

The dog ran quickly down the road

It is a clause because it has a subject (dog) and a verb (ran)

Multiple Choice

The boy with red hair

• clause

• phrase

The boy with red hair

It is a phrase because it has a subject (boy) but no verb

Multiple Choice

Shirt on his dirty floor

• clause

• phrase

Shirt on his dirty floor

It is a phrase because it has a subject (shirt) but no verb

Multiple Choice

Then sped down the street

• clause

• phrase

Then sped down the street

This is a phrase because it has a verb (sped) but not a subject

Multiple Choice

She couldn't believe the dog actually ate that

• clause

• phrase

She couldn't believe the dog actually ate that

This is a clause because it has a subject (she) and a verb (believe)

Multiple Choice

Yes, I did

• clause

• phrase

Yes, I did

This is a clause because it has a subject (I) and a verb (did)

Multiple Choice

Without even so much as a paddle

• clause

• phrase

Without even so much as a paddle

This is a phrase because it has a subject (paddle) but no verb

Multiple Choice

Bobby and Annie with a cute little dog behind them

• clause

• phrase

Bobby and Annie with a cute little dog behind them

This is a phrase because it has a subject (Bobby and Annie) but no verb

Multiple Choice

My car won't start in the cold

• clause

• phrase

My car won't start in the cold

This is a clause because it has a subject (car) and a verb (start)

Multiple Choice

Computers break often

• clause

• phrase

Computers break often

This is a clause because it has a subject (computers) and a verb (break)