PHRASES, CLAUSES,

AND SENTENCES
LESSON 4
 Learning Targets:

I can distinguish the difference between phrases and clauses

used in the sentence.
I can identify phrases and clauses in the sentence or text.
I can use phrases, clauses, and sentences appropriately and
meaningfully.
I can compose sentences and paragraphs using appropriate clauses
and phrases.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CLAUSE AND PHRASE
 PHRASE
 A phrase is a group of words in a sentence that does NOT contain
a subject and a verb.
 The words work together as a "unit," but they do not have a
subject and a verb.

In other words, in a sentence one

part with subject and verb is a
clause while the rest of it without
those two parts of speeches is a
phrase.
 PHRASE
Examples:

on the wall with the blue shirt

in the water for twenty days
over the horizon will be running
needing help through difficult times

All of the above examples are parts of different sentences

which are void of a subject and verb, thus they are
classified as phrases.
 PHRASE
Example:
1. Taehyung is playing in the field.

He is playing is a clause (subject-verb) and in the field is a phrase.

2. Jungkook is sleeping on the bed.

The first part of the sentence “He is sleeping” is a clause (subject-verb). On

the other hand, the remaining part of the sentence “on the bed” is a phrase
because it lacks both the subject and the verb.

A phrase does not make a complete sense on its own and requires the
help of other words to make it a complete sentence.
 PHRASE
Example: Example:

1. Taehyung is playing in the field. 2. Jungkook is sleeping on the bed.

CLAUSE PHRASE CLAUSE PHRASE

(subject & verb) does not have S-V (subject & verb) does not have S-V

Taehyung playing Jungkook sleeping

A phrase cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not

give a complete meaning.
 PHRASE
Example:
The purpose of phrase
is to complement the
in the field overall structure of a
for twenty days sentence.
on the bed

Take the above example, if you find “in the field” written somewhere
alone, you will be very confused about its meaning and will be unable to
understand it. Thus, a phrase is a set of words that does not make up a
complete and understandable sentence by its own.
 Practice Exercise: Phrase
Direction: Identify what is the phrase in the
sentence.
in the park
1. Jimin is waiting in the park.
on the move
2. The army is on the move.
3. The present inside the big box is mine. inside the big box

4. J-hope dances like a beautiful swan. like a beautiful swan

5. His concert is cancelled around the world.
around the world

Phrases often start with prepositions and have an object

Phrases DO NOT have a subject or a verb.
 CLAUSE
 A clause is a group of words that consists of a subject and a
verb.
 A clause can stand alone as a complete sentence because it gives
a complete meaning to the reader.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
& DEPENDENT CLAUSE
 INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
 An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and
a verb and expresses a complete thought.
 An independent clause is a sentence.

Example:

1. The boy is playing.

S V

In the above simple sentence, boy is the subject and playing is the
verb, so the part “boy is playing” is a clause because it has both
subject and verb.
 INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Example:
1. Sarah smiled.
1. S V

A clause might also contain an object along with the subject which
makes it stand alone as a complete sentence.

Consider the above example: you will notice that this two word simple
sentence make complete sense and is understandable. It consists of a
subject and a verb, thus it is a clause.
 INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Example:

1. Taehyung got scolded by his English teacher because he was late to

school often. (two independent clause)

2. Park Jimin like Biology, but Namjoon likes Physics because he wants
to become am engineer. (three independent clauses)

A single sentence might have one clause, but there can exist a sentence
which contains more than one independent clause in it.
 INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
EXAMPLES:

1.I like to read, and I write faithfully in my journal every night.

2.My English teacher loves me very much, for I am a successful

student.

3.Jungkook is very smart, so everybody likes him.

 INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Here are examples of independent clauses that can stand alone as a sentence:

1. I enjoy sitting by the fireplace and reading.

I enjoy sitting by the fireplace and reading. (expresses complete thought)

S V

2. Joan teaches science and algebra at the community college.

Joan teaches science and algebra at the community college.

S V
 INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Here are examples of independent clauses that can stand alone as a sentence:

3. The Alps in Switzerland are breathtaking.

4. Jungkook and IU could not decide if they wanted to elope or have a big wedding.
5. The squirrels are busy storing nuts for the winter.
6. The soprano sang the aria perfectly.
7. The professor always comes to class fully prepared.
8. She wants to travel the world and see wonderful sights.
9. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals.
10. Andrew decided to buy a sundae instead of a double-scoop cone.
 DEPENDENT CLAUSE
 Dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a
verb but does NOT express a complete thought.

 A dependent clause cannot stand alone. Thus, it cannot be a

sentence.
 DEPENDENT CLAUSE
EXAMPLE:
1. When Jimin studied in the cafeteria for his Chemistry quiz.
S V (not a sentence!)
2. Whenever they visit the beach
3. Because it was delicious.
4. Although she is hungry.
5. Because he was late to school so often.

The above example sentences are classified as dependent clause because it does not
expresses a complete thought to the reader.
 DEPENDENT CLAUSE
DEPENDENT CLAUSE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Whenever they visit the beach Yeonjun wears his fancy sunglasses
whenever they visit the beach.

Because he was late to school so Taehyung got scolded by his

often English teacher because he was
late to school often.
When Park Jimin studied in the Park Jimin studied in the
cafeteria for his Chemistry quiz. cafeteria for his Chemistry quiz.

Dependent clause needs an independent clause to complete a sentence.

 Summary time!
 A phrase is a group of words in a sentence that does NOT
contain a subject and a verb.
 An independent clause is a group of words that contains a
subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
 An independent clause is a sentence.

Dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject

and a verb but does NOT express a complete thought.

 A dependent clause cannot stand alone. Thus, it cannot be a

sentence.