English language lesson 2 - Phrases and Clauses

Language lesson 2

Phrases and Clauses

Have you heard of phrases and clauses?

Clauses

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and predicate. It may or may not be independently meaningful.

Phrases

A phrase is a small group of words within a clause, it acts to complete a sentence by making it meaningful. It does not contain a subject and a verb.

Differences between Phrases and Clauses

There are clear differences between phrases and clauses. Do you know them?

Multiple Choice

A clause is a group of words that has a subject without a verb.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

A phrase is a group of words that has a subject OR a verb or might not have either.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

You are a wise man

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

Is the statement below a clause or phrase?

after the Native Americans signed a peace treaty

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

Fishing in the mountain stream

• Phrase

• Clause

Adverb Clauses

An adverb clause (or adverbial clause) is a clause that works as an adverb in a sentence.

To make sentences more interesting, we can use adverb clauses. An adverb clause tells us more about the verb in the main clause.

It is a dependent (subordinate) clause and can never be a sentence on its own. 

Adverb Phrases

Adverb phrases are phrases that modify a verb, adjective, adverb, clause or an entire sentence.

Adverbial phrases help to add more information to a sentence.

·      They can describe how something happened or will happen.

·      They can show time and tell us where something happened.

·      They can also explain why.

​Examples of Adverb Phrases

​The bolded words in these sentences are examples of adverbial/adverb phrases

​ I came here yesterday.

• Once upon a time, the lady lived here.

• Sam said it in a polite way.

• John was walking so quickly.

• I will meet you tomorrow.

• Jeff was speaking so roughly.

• The man was shouting very loudly.

Open Ended

Point out the adverb phrases in the following sentences.

1. She ran into her room.

2. She lives in a palatial house.

3. The performed the task with great skill.

4. The fishers went sailing over the sea.

5. He fought with all his might.

6. He shouted at the top of his voice.

7. Much water runs under the bridge.