PHRASES

and
CLAUSES
 Phrases
• A phrase is a group of words that stand together as a single unit,
typically as part of a clause or a sentence.

A phrase does not contain a subject and verb and, consequently,

cannot convey a complete thought. A phrase contrasts with a
clause. A clause does contain a subject and verb, and it can convey
a complete idea.
Types of Phrases
 Types of phrases
• Noun Phrase
A noun phrase contains a noun and other related words (usually modifiers
and determiners) which modify the noun. It works like a noun in a sentence.

A noun phrase consists of a noun as the headword and other words (usually
modifiers and determiners) which come after or before the noun. The whole
phrase functions as a noun in a sentence.
Noun Phrase = noun + modifiers (the modifiers can be after or before the
noun)
 Types of Phrases
• Prepositional phrase
A prepositional phrase possesses a preposition, objects of the preposition (noun or
pronoun) and may also consist of other modifiers.

• Adjective Phrase
An adjective phrase is a group of words that works like an adjective in a sentence. It
consists of adjectives, modifier and any word that modifies a noun or pronoun.
An adjective phrase works as an adjective to modify (or tell about) a noun or a pronoun
in a sentence.
 Types of Phrases
• Adverb Phrase
A group of words that functions as an adverb in a sentence is called
the adverbial phrase. It consists of adverbs or other words
(preposition, noun, verb, modifiers) that make a group work as an
adverb in a sentence.
An adverbial phrase works as an adverb to modify a verb, an
adjective or another adverb.
 Types of Phrases
• Verb Phrase
A combination of the main verb and its auxiliaries (helping verbs) in a
sentence is called a verb phrase.
• Infinitive Phrase
An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive (to + simple form of the verb)
and modifiers or other words associated to the infinitive. An infinitive
phrase always works as an adjective, adverb or a noun in a sentence.
 Types of Phrases
• Gerund Phrase
A gerund phrase consists of a gerund(verb + ing) and modifiers or other words
associated with the gerund. A gerund phrase works as a noun in a sentence.

Participle Phrase
A participle phrase consists of a present participle (verb + ing), a past participle
(verb ending in -ed or other forms in case of irregular verbs) and modifiers or other
associated words. A participle phrase is separated by commas. It always works as
an adjective in a sentence.
 Types of Phrases
• Absolute Phrase
A group of words including a noun or pronoun and a participle as
well as any associated modifiers is called Absolute Phrase (also called
nominative phrase). The absolute phrase describes (give information
about) the entire sentence. It resembles a clause but it doesn't have
a true finite verb. It is separated by a comma or pairs
of commas from the rest sentence.
 Clause
• A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. A
clause can be distinguished from a phrase, which does not contain
a subject and a verb (e.g., in the afternoon, drinking from the
bowl).

An independent clause can express a complete thought (and can

be a standalone sentence). A dependent clause is usually a
supporting part of a sentence, and it cannot stand by itself as a
meaningful proposition (idea).
• Examples of Independent Clauses
Tara ate a cheese roll after she watched the news.
(Tara ate a cheese roll is an independent clause. It works as a standalone
sentence.)
• Examples of Dependent Clauses
Tara ate a cheese roll after she watched the news.
The clause after she watched the news is a dependent clause. It does not
work as a standalone sentence.)
Types of subordinate clause
• A subordinate clause or dependent clause is a clause that
can’t exist as a sentence on its own. Like all clauses, it has a
subject and a predicate, but it doesn’t share a complete thought. A
subordinate clause only gives extra information and is “dependent”
on other words to make a full sentence.
 Types of subordinate clause
• Noun Clause
• A noun clause is a group of words that acts as a noun in a
sentence. They begin with relative pronouns like “how,” “which,”
“who,” or “what,” combined with a subject and predicate. For
example:
• The dog can eat what he wants.
 Types of subordinate clause
• Adjective Clause
• An adjective is a descriptive word. Adjective clauses are groups
of words that act as an adjective in a sentence. They have a
pronoun (who, that, which) or an adverb (what, where, why) and a
verb; or, a pronoun or an adverb that serves as subject and a verb.
They should answer questions like “what kind?” or “which one?”
and follow one of two patterns: Pronoun/adverb + subject + verb,
or pronoun/adverb as subject + verb.
 Types of subordinate clause
• Adverb clause
• An adverb clause is a group of words that work as an adverb in a
sentence, answering questions asking “where?”, “when,” “how?”
and “why?” They begin with a subordinate conjunction.
• The dog ran until he got to the county fair.