📚 What's the Difference?
Phrase: A group of words that work together but do NOT have both a subject and a verb
Clause: A group of words that HAS both a subject and a verb
📝 Understanding Phrases
A phrase is a group of related words without both a subject and a verb. Phrases add detail and description to sentences.
Noun Phrases
A group of words that acts as a noun
The big red balloon floated away.
My best friend from school is coming over.
A cup of hot chocolate sounds perfect.
Verb Phrases
The main verb plus any helping verbs
She has been studying all day.
They will be arriving tomorrow.
I should have finished my homework.
Prepositional Phrases
Begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun
The cat jumped onto the table.
We walked through the park.
After school, I play soccer.
The book on the shelf is mine.
Adjective Phrases
A group of words that describes a noun
The house with the blue door is ours.
She wore a dress made of silk.
Adverb Phrases
A group of words that describes a verb, adjective, or adverb
He runs with great speed.
She sang in a beautiful voice.
🔗 Understanding Clauses
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb.
Independent Clauses
Can stand alone as a complete sentence (has a subject and verb, and expresses a complete thought)
The sun is shining.
I love reading books.
My sister plays the piano.
These are complete sentences by themselves!
Dependent Clauses (Subordinate Clauses)
Cannot stand alone as a complete sentence (has a subject and verb, but does NOT express a complete thought)
Because it was raining (incomplete - what happened?)
When I finish my homework (incomplete - then what?)
If you study hard (incomplete - what will happen?)
These need to be connected to an independent clause!
🏗️ Building Complete Sentences
Dependent clauses must be attached to independent clauses to form complete sentences.
Dependent + Independent
Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
When I finish my homework, I can play video games.
If you study hard, you will pass the test.
Independent + Dependent
We stayed inside because it was raining.
I can play video games when I finish my homework.
You will pass the test if you study hard.
💡 Comma Rule:
When a dependent clause comes FIRST, use a comma. When it comes SECOND, usually no comma is needed.
🔍 Types of Dependent Clauses
Adjective Clauses (Relative Clauses)
Describes a noun, usually starts with who, which, that, whose, whom, where, when
The book that I borrowed is interesting.
She's the girl who won the contest.
This is the house where I grew up.
Adverb Clauses
Describes a verb, usually starts with subordinating conjunctions like because, when, if, although, since, while, unless
I stayed home because I was sick.
When the bell rings, class is over.
Although it was cold, we went swimming.
Noun Clauses
Acts as a noun, often starts with that, what, whatever, who, whom, whoever, when, where, why, how
What she said made me laugh.
I know that you tried your best.
Whoever arrives first wins the prize.
✏️ Practice Exercise
Identify whether it's a phrase or clause, and what type. Click to reveal!
1. in the morning
Phrase - prepositional phrase (no subject and verb)
2. because she was tired
Clause - dependent clause/adverb clause (has subject "she" and verb "was")
3. The dog barked loudly.
Clause - independent clause (complete sentence)
4. under the big oak tree
Phrase - prepositional phrase (no verb)
5. The boy who lives next door is my friend.
Independent clause: "The boy is my friend"
Dependent clause: "who lives next door" - adjective clause
6. has been running
Phrase - verb phrase (no subject)
🎯 Key Takeaways
- Phrases do NOT have both a subject and a verb
- Clauses have BOTH a subject and a verb
- Independent clauses can stand alone as sentences
- Dependent clauses cannot stand alone - they need an independent clause
- Dependent clauses often start with words like: because, when, if, although, that, who, which
- Use a comma when a dependent clause comes first in the sentence