CLAUSES AND PHRASES
CLAUSES
Contain a subject and a verb. May be independent or dependent,
depending on where they appear in a sentence.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
Make sense on their own Commonly referred to as a “sentence.” End in a period, question mark, or exclamation
mark May join another independent clause with a
semicolon, or by using a comma (,) and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Can sometimes be identified by an independent marker wordalso, consequently, furthermore, however,
moreover, nevertheless, therefore
EXAMPLES
Examples We sat in class on a Thursday. Although they were hungry, they didn’t eat. You and I went to the movie, but they went to
dinner instead.
DEPENDENT CLAUSES
Contain a subject and a verb, but cannot stand on their own.
Joined to an independent clause using a comma (,) IF appearing at the beginning of a sentence.
No comma is needed if appearing AFTER the independent clause.
Often identified by a dependent marker word (AAAWWUBBIS) as, after, although, when, while, until, before,
because, if, since
EXAMPLES
Although they were hungry, they didn’t eat. Because we are sophomores, we have to take
the HSPE. We have to take the HSPE because we are
sophomores. They didn’t eat although they were hungry.
PHRASES
Unlike clauses, phrases are missing a subject, verb, or both, and therefore cannot stand on their own
Can be used as introductory elements of a sentence, or to provide additional information in a sentence.
Separated from other parts of the sentence by comma(s)
EXAMPLES
• Up in the air, the ball began to rotate. • The novel was written by an American, John
Steinbeck, and is a classic. • They went on vacation, leaving behind the dog.
PRACTICE IDENTIFYING
Identify the following as an independent clause, dependent clause, or phrase. Some may include more than one type.
1.) Even though it was summer, 2.) It was summer, and it was hot outside. 3.) Hot outside4.) I knew it was summer because it was hot outside.5.) Between spring and autumn6.) The summer solstice7.) Summer is my favorite season!
ANSWERS
1.) Even though it was summer, (dependent clause)2.) It was summer, and it was hot outside. (Independent clauses)3.) Hot outside (phrase)4.) I knew it was summer because it was hot outside. (Independent clause, dependent clause)5.) Between spring and autumn (phrase)6.) The summer solstice (phrase)7.) Summer is my favorite season! (independent clause)