Clauses and Phrases (Finding the difference with examples)

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The difference between a phrase and a clause hinges on one key component: the presence of a complete subject and verb combination.


(Clause = Subject + Verb; 

Phrase = lacks a Subject, a Verb, or both).


Clause

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a finite verb (a verb that shows tense and agrees with the subject). Because it contains this essential structural unit, a clause can sometimes stand on its own as a complete sentence.


Key Features:

 •Structure: Must have a subject and a finite verb.

 • Completeness: May or may not express a complete thought.


 ° Types:

   • Independent Clause (Main Clause): Expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

      Example: The dog barked loudly. (Dog is the subject, barked is the verb.)


   • Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause): Does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone. It relies on an independent clause for meaning. It often begins with a subordinating word (like when, although, because, who).

      Example: ...when the mail carrier arrived. (Mail carrier is the subject, arrived is the verb, but the word when makes the whole clause dependent.)


Phrase

A phrase is a group of related words that lacks either a subject, a finite verb, or both. It functions as a single unit or single part of speech within a sentence.


Key Features:

 • Structure: Lacks the required subject-verb combination.

 • Completeness: Never expresses a complete thought; it cannot stand alone as a sentence.

 • Function: Modifies or provides detail to elements within a clause (nouns, verbs, etc.).


 Types and Examples:

     Noun Phrase: The large, fluffy cat. (Lacks a verb.)

     Prepositional Phrase: under the chair. (Lacks a subject and a finite verb.)

    Verb Phrase: has been sleeping (Lacks a subject.)

    Participial Phrase: Meowing pitifully. (Contains a form of a verb, meowing, but no subject is performing that main verb, and it can't show tense.)


Remember the rule:

 * A Clause has a subject and a verb.

 * A Phrase lacks either a subject, a verb, or both.


Examples 


 Identify the underlined parts as either a Phrase or a Clause.


 

  1. ​The dog barked when the doorbell rang.
    • ​Answer: Clause. 
    •  (Subject: doorbell, Verb: rang) 
  2. ​She danced with great grace.
    • ​Answer: Phrase 
    • (Lacks a subject and a verb; a prepositional phrase.)
  3. ​Before the movie started, we bought popcorn.
    • ​Answer: Clause
    • (Subject: movie, Verb: started)
  4. ​The boy standing near the gate is my cousin.
    • ​Answer: Phrase 
    • (Lacks a finite verb; standing is a participle.)
  5. ​We could not play because it was raining.
    • ​Answer: Clause
    • (Subject: it, Verb: was raining)
  6. ​I lost the pen you gave me.
    • ​Answer: Clause 
    • (Subject: you, Verb: gave)
  7. ​She replied without any hesitation.
    • ​Answer: Phrase 
    • (Lacks a subject and a verb; a prepositional phrase.)
  8. ​If you are free tomorrow, we can meet.
    • ​Answer: Clause 
    • (Subject: you, Verb: are)
  9. ​The painting on the wall is very old.
    • ​Answer: Phrase 
    • (Lacks a subject and a verb; a prepositional phrase.)
  10. ​Although he apologized, she did not forgive him.
    • ​Answer: Clause 
    • (Subject: he, Verb: apologized)
  11. ​She sat under the neem tree.
    • ​Answer: Phrase 
    • (Lacks a subject and a verb; a prepositional phrase.)
  12. ​When we reached the station, the train had already left.
    • ​Answer: Clause 
    • (Subject: we, Verb: reached)
  13. ​He ran with all his strength.
    • ​Answer: Phrase 
    • (Lacks a subject and a verb; a prepositional phrase.)
  14. ​Since the roads were blocked, we stayed at home.
    • ​Answer: Clause 
    • (Subject: roads, Verb: were blocked)
  15. ​The child cried in the middle of the night.
    • ​Answer: Phrase 
    • (Lacks a subject and a verb; a prepositional phrase.)
  16. ​Because he studied well, he cleared the exam.
    • ​Answer: Clause
    • (Subject: he, Verb: studied)
  1. They reached home after the show.
    • ​Answer: Phrase
    • (Lacks a subject and a verb; a prepositional phrase.)
  2. ​If the rain continues, the match will be cancelled.
    • ​Answer: Clause 
    • (Subject: rain, Verb: continues)
  3. ​He painted the fence with a small brush.
    • ​Answer: Phrase
    • (Lacks a subject and a verb; a prepositional phrase.)
  4. ​Though it was late, they waited for him.
    • ​Answer: Clause
    • (Subject: it, Verb: was)

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