Lesson: Phrases and Clauses
1. Introduction
Every sentence we speak or write is made up of smaller building blocks. Two of the most important parts of sentence structure are phrases and clauses. Although they may look similar, they do very different jobs. Understanding this difference helps students read more accurately and write more clearly.
2. What Is a Phrase?
A phrase is a group of words that work together to add meaning, but a phrase does not have both a subject and a verb. Because of this, a phrase cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Phrases help describe people, places, actions, and ideas. They add color and detail to writing, but they do not express a full thought on their own.
Examples of phrases include:
under the table , the black leather jacket , to finish the work , running through the grass
Each phrase gives information, but none contains a complete idea.
3. What Is a Clause?
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a verb (the action or state of being). Because clauses contain these two essential parts, they can express ideas—some complete, some incomplete.
There are two main types of clauses:
A. Independent Clause
An independent clause expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a full sentence.
Example: The dog barked loudly. This clause has a subject (dog) and a verb (barked), and the idea is complete. Independent clauses can also be joined with other clauses to make longer, more detailed sentences, but they don’t need anything else to be complete.
B. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause
A dependent clause also contains a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete idea. It “depends” on an independent clause to make sense. Dependent clauses often begin with words such as: because, although, when, if, before, since, while, unless, after
Examples: Because the rain was heavy When the movie ended Both examples have a subject and a verb, but they leave the reader waiting for more information. They cannot stand alone as sentences.
4. Summary
A phrase is a group of words without both a subject and a verb. It adds detail but cannot stand alone as a sentence.
A clause has both a subject and a verb.
An independent clause is a complete thought and can stand alone.
A dependent clause is not complete on its own and must be connected to an independent clause.
Knowing the difference between phrases and clauses helps students build stronger, clearer sentences and improves both reading and writing skills.
