Phrases & Clauses
Phrases A group of words that does not have a subject and a verb - On my way to the store - In a large box - Under the stairs - The blue box - With a car There are many different kinds of phrases: Noun phrases Verb phrases Prepositional phrases Verbal phrases Participial phrases Gerund phrases Infinitive phrases Appositive phrases Absolute phrases
Clauses A group of words with a subject and a predicate (verb) - He went to the store - It is under the stairs - You can put it on the table - I will do it after dinner - There are nine books on the bookshelf
Independent & Dependent Clauses Independent Clauses: are a complete sentence Dependent Clauses: not a complete sentence; do not form a complete thought Dependent Clauses = Subordinate Clauses
Dependent / Subordinate clauses use Subordinating conjunctions ADJECTIVE STARTERS: That Who Whom Whose Which ADVERB STARTERS: as, after, although, because, in order that, so that until, whenever since, when, where, before, though Wherever, if, unless, while
Subordinating conjunctions Subordinate conjunctions answer: Who? What? When? Where? Why? Under what condition?
Subordinate/Dependent clauses continued... Example: When she left the movies SHE is the SUBJECT. LEFT is the VERB. WHEN is the subordinating conjunction IMPORTANT: Dependent clauses leave us wondering SO WHAT HAPPENED?
How do you tell the difference? - Independent Clause Dependent Clause Phrase Has a subject and predicate (verb) Forms a complete thought yes yes no yes no no Can stand alone yes no no
Dependent clauses examples: The dog who lives by me is nice. The show that I watch is good. Jerry Spinelli is the author who wrote the books. She arrived after Kedon ate dinner. It was miraculous because Mary saved the drowning girl. When Amy gave a party, everyone had a good time. We took the one that we thought was right. I finished my book before Sam left the room.
Phrase, independent, or subordinate/dependent clause? (1) 1. We hated the pizza 2. Because it tasted like cardboard. 3. After we bribed them, 4. They gave us the answers 5. to the test. 6. Emily can not do her homework 7. until she watches 8. her favorite television show. 9. Since the car does not run well, 10. the mechanic did a quick check-up. Does it have a subject & predicate? Yes. It s a clause. Does it have a subordinating conjunction? Yes. It s a subordinate (dependent) clause. No. It s a phrase No. It s an independent clause.
Phrase, independent, or subordinate/dependent clause? (1) 1. We hated the pizza INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 2. Because it tasted like cardboard. SUBORDINATE/DEPENDENT CLAUSE 3. After we bribed them, SUBORDINATE/DEPENDENT CLAUSE 4. They gave us the answers INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 5. to the test. PHRASE 6. Emily can not do her homework INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 7. until she watches SUBORDINATE/DEPENDENT CLAUSE 8. her favorite television show. PHRASE 9. Since the car does not run well, SUBORDINATE/DEPENDENT CLAUSE 10. the mechanic did a quick check-up. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Phrase, independent, or subordinate/dependent clause? (2) 1. A melodic new single. 2. He released a new album. 3. Some performers have no sense of melody at all. 4. The latest single from James Miller. 5. While the album was a complete success 6. The tour was a downright failure. 7. Silver Beams is a new record company. 8. She gave a thumbs up to the cameras, 9. While the photographers had a bad angle. 10. The gesture was misunderstood. Does it have a subject & predicate? Yes. It s a clause. Does it have a subordinating conjunction? Yes. It s a subordinate (dependent) clause. No. It s a phrase No. It s an independent clause.
Phrase, independent, or subordinate/dependent clause? (2) 1. A melodic new single. PHRASE 2. He released a new album. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 3. Some performers have no sense of melody at all. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 4. The latest single from James Miller. PHRASE 5. While the album was a complete success. SUBORDINATE CLAUSE 6. The tour was a downright failure. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 7. Silver Beams is a new record company. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 8. She gave a thumbs up to the cameras, INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 9. While the photographers had a bad angle. SUBORDINATE CLAUSE 10. The gesture was misunderstood. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE