Phrases & Clauses

Once you learn the basic rules for having a complete sentence, you will want to learn the bits and pieces that go into making more complicated sentences. When you master these concepts, you will learn how to make your sentences sound mature and how to create a greater variety in your writing. Also by learning these things, you will eventually learn the rules for commas and semicolons, instead of just having to guess where they go. You should have demonstrated an understanding of subject, verbs, and complete sentences before working on this lesson.

Introduction

A phrase is one of those smaller bits of a sentence that you will need to be able to identify. Our definition of a phrase is:

A group of words that is missing either a subject or missing the matching verb or both.

Phrases:

Because it is missing one of these two requirements, it does not meet our definition for a complete sentence. Therefore, a phrase by itself is considered a fragment, or an incomplete sentence.

Examples:

Ø the ancient oak tree (missing a verb)Ø hitting the window (missing a subject and verb)Ø on a jet plane (missing a subject and verb)

Phrase examples:

Clauses are different part of sentences than phrases, but they are equally important. Our definition of a clause is:

A group of related words that has both a subject and a verb that matches it. (Notice how this is similar to our definition of a sentence.)

Clauses:

The boy put his shoes on the ground

The tree fell over the fence

The bracelet has two charms on it

Kids are putting their toys awayDoes it have a subject and verb?

Yes! Kids (subject) and are (verb)! It’s a clause!

A beautiful diamond on a necklaceDoes it have a subject and verb?

No! There is no verb! It’s a phrase!

Roger a noble but disappointed playerDoes it have a subject and a verb?

No! There is no verb! It’s a phrase!

Salamanders are often orangeDoes it have a subject and a verb?

Yes! Salamanders (subject) and are (verb)! It’s a clause!

Phrases or clauses?

Alligators heal themselves quicklyDoes it have a subject and a verb?

Yes! Alligators (subject) and heal (verb)! It’s a clause

Pears in a fruit bowl on the kitchen tableDoes it have a subject and a verb?

No! There is no verb! It’s a phrase!

Running like a cheetah Does it have a subject and a verb?

No! There is no subject! It’s a phrase!

Phrase or clause?

 Independent clauses present complete ideas and can stand by themselves as sentences because they contain a subject and a verb that matches it.

Ex: Stan went to the movies

Independent clauses

 Dependent clauses cannot stand by themselves as sentences. Even though they contain a subject and a verb that matches it, they also have an additional word at the beginning of the clause that makes you need more information to complete the meaning.

Ex: After Stan went to the movies

Notice how “Stan went to the movies” is a complete sentence, because it contains a subject (Stan) and a verb (went). However, the word “after” makes you need more information to complete the thought, as you wonder, “What did happen after Stan went to the movies?” Therefore, the word “after” added to the complete sentence, makes this a dependent clause.

Dependent clauses

after, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, before, even though, if, in order that, once, provided that, since, so, so that, that, though, till, unless, until, when, where, whereas, while

Some common subordinating conjuctions:

Notice how each of these words leaves you wanting more information:

Since you’ve been so good… (What? Will I get a present?)Before you can go to the movies… (What do I need to do?)Even though you washed the dishes… (What did I forget to do?)

All of these examples are dependent clauses because they all have a subject, a conjugated verb, and contain a subordinating conjunction that makes you want more information.

Dependent clauses continued…

An independent clause has a subject and a verb, but it expresses a complete thought because it doesn’t have a subordinating conjunction at the beginning.

I went to the movies last Saturday.You washed the dishes.He has eaten a hamburger.

Although I hate green beansDoes it have a subordinating conjunction?

Yes! “Although” (subordinating conjunction) It’s a dependent clause!

Once everyone woke upDoes it have a subordinating conjunction?

Yes! “Once” (subordinating conjunction) It’s a dependent clause

Bryan left the houseDoes it have a subordinating conjunction?

No! It’s an independent clause

Elise walked over to the chairDoes it have an subordinating conjunction?

No! It’s an independent clause

Independent or Dependent clause?

Since everyone loves to danceDoes it have an subordinating conjunction?

Yes! “Since” (subordinating conjunction) It’s a dependent clause!

Cats jumped everywhereDoes it have an subordinating conjunction?

No! It’s an independent clause!

While we’re waitingDoes it have an subordinating conjunction?

Yes! “While” (subordinating conjunction) It’s a dependent clause!

With colored shutters Does it have an subordinating conjunction?

Yes! “With” (subordinating conjunction) It’s a dependent clause

Independent or Dependent Clauses?

It’s time for a new definition of a complete sentence:

Ø A complete sentence must have a subject, a matching (conjugated verb) and must express a complete thought.

Complete sentences

When a Dependent Clause comes first in a sentence, there must be a comma after it!!

When my dad comes home, my dog runs around the kitchen table.

My dog runs around the kitchen table when my dad comes home.

Notice the comma in the first sentence because the dependent clause (“when my dad comes home”) comes first in the sentence. The second sentence presents the clauses in a different order, and therefore doesn’t need a comma.

Punctuation Note:

Complete the Phrases, Independent Clauses, and Dependent Clauses Skills Check

Now we try on our own…