Phrase and Clause

2 PHRASE AND CLAUSE

Phrase :
A group of words without subject-verb combination is called a phrase. It doesn't give a
complete meaning.
phrase subject-verb combination

Examples :  The sun rises in the east.
 Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
 He studies very quickly.
Clause :
A group of words with subject-verb combination is called a clause. It may or may not give
a meaningful sense.
Subject-verb combination clause 

Clause is of two types
1. Independent clause or main clause:
An independent (main) clause gives complete meaning and can stand alone as a sentence.
2. Dependent clause or subordinate clause:
A dependent (subordinate) clause gives incomplete meaning and cannot stand alone as
Independent clause
a sentence. Dependent clause

Independent clause gives complete Dependent clause gives incomplete

meaning. meaning.
Independent clause  Dependent clause 

Examples
Independent clause Dependent clause
 I will shop at the grocery store, after I leave work.
 We cannot come out, while it is raining.
 Shiva ate pasta, because he was hungry.
 Arya went to the park, after he finished his home work.
 Arjun continued playing, although he injured his knee.
 I will go, if he comes.

A.N.REDDY IAS ACADEMY 82972 11199 1

 Phrase and Clause

phrase VS clause
NO subject-verb Subject-verb
combination combination

EXERCISE

State whether the underlined words are phrases or clauses :

1. The earth moves around the sun.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
2. We cannot go while it is raining.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
3. Put the books on the table.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
4. The man whom I met on the street was a traveller.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
5. Before taking any medicine, I always speak to my doctor.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
6. Mark has lived outside of his country for 14 years.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
7. I will be running after him.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
8. When he entered, the room became quiet.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
9. Please send me the report tomorrow if you can.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause

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 Phrase and Clause

c) Phrase d) None
10. After the flood, the family moved into a temporary shelter.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
11. I saw a girl carrying a basket on her head.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
12. When I went to his home, I saw him working in his garage.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
13. He sat under the tree.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
14. I will lend you the money although you've never paid me back.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None
15. Because Smitha broke my cell phone, I had to get another phone.
a) Independent clause b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase d) None

1. c 2. b 3. c 4. b 5. b 6. c 7. c 8. a 9. b
10. a 11. c 12. b 13. c 14. a 15. b

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