Phrases vs. ClausesWhat’s the difference and why does it matter?

PhrasesA phrase is a group of words that acts as a

single part of speech (like a noun or adjective) that does not contain both a subject and a verb. It is a part of the main sentence but cannot express a complete thought on its own.

After midnight, Egbert's mother was on the roof dancing with a Ukranian bullfighter.

Surprised by the intensity of her disgust, Felicity stared at the cockroach scurrying across her omelet.

More examples of PHRASESWith the silence and immobility of a

great reddish-tinted rock, Thor stood for many minutes, looking out over his domain.

His hands raw, he reached a flat place at the top of the mountain.

His car, a perfectly maintained 1960 Thunderbird, stood in the driveway.

More examples of PHRASESWith the silence and immobility of a

great reddish-tinted rock, Thor stood for many minutes, looking out over his domain.

His hands raw, he reached a flat place at the top of the mountain.

His car, a perfectly maintained 1960 Thunderbird, stood in the driveway.

NOTICE what’s in red is not underlined. It’s the sentence—the independent clause—and all the phrases provide extra information.

Phind the PhrasesMr. Tennenbaum, a stocky, bald-headed

man, is my boss.Mr. Tennenbaum, [a stocky, bald-

headed man], is my boss.

He stood there for a long time, his carpetbag in his hand.

He stood there [for a long time], [his carpetbag in his hand].

Phind the PhrasesMr. Tennenbaum, a stocky, bald-headed

man, is my boss.Mr. Tennenbaum is my boss.

He stood there for a long time, his carpetbag in his hand.

He stood there.

Notice you can take away the phrases and are left with the main sentence. Phrases provide extra information.

Phind the PhrasesRita planted seeds in her garden, hoping

they would grow into succulent tomatoes, but Taylor, being sometimes forgetful, forgot to water them, causing the plants to wither and die.

Rita planted seeds [in her garden], [hoping they would grow] [into succulent tomatoes], but Taylor, [being sometimes forgetful], forgot to water them, [causing the plants to wither and die].

Phind the PhrasesRita planted seeds in her garden, hoping

they would grow into succulent tomatoes, but Taylor, being sometimes forgetful, forgot to water them, causing the plants to wither and die.

Rita planted seeds.Taylor forgot to water them.Here’s the main ideas in this sentence. The phrases provide extra information.

ClausesA clause is a group of words that has

both a subject and a predicate (a verb). There are two types of clauses: independent and dependent.

An independent clause expresses a complete thought on its own. It is “independent”.

A dependent clause, although it has a subject and a verb, does not express a complete thought on its own. It is “dependent” upon and must be attached to an independent clause.

Examples of Independent ClausesI shall haunt you until your dying

day.Josh barfed on the desk.Take out the papers and the trash.

Baby, you can drive my car.I would like to take you to the movies.

Examples of Dependent ClausesWhen she fell out of the apple tree.As he approached the top of the ridge.Where Alex sat crying in the mud.Because his pants wouldn’t fit him

anymore.After you finish sorting your sock

collection.If you’re very sweet to me.Before he started chewing on his tie.

Typically, dependent clauses begin with a word that keeps the clause from being independent.

Independent or Dependent?The dog chewed on my hand.

IndependentBecause he couldn’t find anything else to

do.Dependent

It didn’t hurt much.Independent

Until he got to the bone.Dependent

Then, I poked him in his eye.Independent

When we try to pass off a Dependent Clause as a sentence, it doesn’t work because it’s just a FRAGMENT of a sentence.

Phrase or Clause?When we couldn’t hear a sound

Clause (Dependent)Wearing a snorkel and a cape

PhraseAshley jumped out of the bushes

Clause (Independent)Giving all of us a heart attack

PhraseBy putting super glue on the mouthpiece of her

snorkelPhrase

The next time she wears her snorkelClause (Dependent)

Phrase, Dependent Clause, or Independent Clause? Complete on your handout

1) Lifting the rope and heading for his corner2) Jack entered the ring3) Sparring to warm up4) Punching the air with a rapid piston-like

movement5) His opponent was already waiting there6) Worried more than usual7) Because his opponent would be his toughest

yet8) Jack listened to the referee9) His body tensing10)Jack took off his robe and waited for the bell

Unscramble these phrases and clauses into ONE sentence! (back page of handout)1) convinced us to flee the city2) while crowds screamed3) who had crushed every car in her path4) droning like angry bagpipes 5) the sky-scraper-sized robot 6) and her synthetic voice7) headed for the nearest BBQ joint

Complete this exercise on your handout. This is ONE complete sentence. Add commas to offset phrases and dependent clauses. Challenge: This sentence contains TWO independent clauses!