commas with clauses and phrases
DESCRIPTION
Learn the differences between clauses and phrases.TRANSCRIPT
Conquering the Confusion
More Uses for Commas
You have already learned that commas are used to separate groups of nouns, verbs, or adjectives.
Commas are also used to separate clauses and phrases.
Many people do not understand the difference between a clause and a phrase. Do you?
Clauses and PhrasesWhat is the difference between a clause and
a phrase?
Both are a group of words.
A CLAUSE has a subject and verb that work together.
A PHRASE does not have a subject and a verb that work together.
Practice – clause vs. phraseWhich group of words is a clause? Which group of words is a phrase?
while watching the football game
Sam ate
popcorn and chips
his wife read a magazine
Answer – clause vs. phrasewhile watching the football game
No subject – PHRASE
Sam ateSubject and verb work together – CLAUSE
popcorn and chipsNo verb – PHRASE
his wife read a magazineSubject and verb work together - CLAUSE
More Practice 1Is this a clause or a phrase?
as soon as the game was over
Sam and his wife took a walk
in the rain
Answersas soon as the game was over
Subject and verb work together - CLAUSE
Sam and his wife took a walkSubject and verb work together - CLAUSE
in the rainNo subject or verb - PHRASE
Sentences
Sentences are made up of clauses and phrases.
Some clauses are independent – they can stand alone.
Some clauses are dependent – they cannot stand alone.
There are several types of phrases.
Independent ClauseAn independent clause:
Has a subject and verb that work together
Forms a complete thought
Can stand alone as a sentence
Examples of Independent Clauses
the dog barked
Subject + verb Forms a complete thoughtCan stand alone as a sentence
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Examples of Independent Clauses
Mary hummed and sewed
Subject + verb Forms a complete thoughtCan stand alone as a sentence
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Examples of Independent Clauses
she listened to her children playing outside
Subject + verb Forms a complete thoughtCan stand alone as a sentence
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Dependent ClauseA dependent clause:
Has a subject and verb that work together
Can NOT stand alone as a sentence
Markers of Dependent ClausesMany times, a dependent clause is introduced by a marker word.
Examples:
www.asia.wub
AfterBeforeWhetherOnceUntil
When While Where As Since If Although Whereas Unless Because
Example of a Dependent Clause
while the dog barked
Subject + verb Can NOT stand alone as a sentence
DEPENDENT CLAUSE
*Dependent clause marker word “while” begins the clause
Example of a Dependent Clause
because Ralph was ill
Subject + verb Can NOT stand alone as a sentence
DEPENDENT CLAUSE
*Dependent clause marker word ”because” begins the clause
Example of a Dependent Clause
before the farmer planted his crops
Subject + verb Can NOT stand alone as a sentence
DEPENDENT CLAUSE
*Dependent clause marker word “before” begins the clause
Practice 1Independent or Dependent Clause?
Jim bent over the wounded toe
Practice 1.
Jim bent over the wounded toeSubject and verb work togetherForms a complete thoughtCan stand alone as a sentenceINDEPENDENT clause
Practice 2Independent or Dependent Clause?
while the bandage was being unwound
Practice 2.
while the bandage was being unwoundSubject and verb work togetherDoes NOT form a complete thoughtCan NOT stand alone as a sentenceDEPENDENT clause
* NOTE: marker word “while” begins clause
Practice 3Independent or Dependent Clause?
Tom whitewashed with vigor
Practice 3.
Tom whitewashed with vigorSubject and verb work togetherForms a complete thoughtCan stand alone as a sentenceINDEPENDENT clause
Practice 4Independent or Dependent Clause?
as Aunt Polly retired triumphantly
Practice 4.
as Aunt Polly retired triumphantlySubject and verb work togetherDoes NOT form a complete thoughtCan NOT stand alone as a sentenceDEPENDENT clause
* NOTE: marker word “as” begins clause
SummaryCommas are used to separate series of phrases or clauses.Commas are used to set clauses apart from other clauses.
A phrase is a group of words that does NOT have a subject and verb that work together.
A clause is a group of work that DOES have a subject and verb that work together.
A clause may be independent or dependent. Independent clauses form a complete thought and can stand
alone as a sentence. Dependent clauses cannot stand alone and usually begin with a
“marker” word.