Phrases and Clauses

Dotti Shelton Developmental English Instructor South Texas Community College

What do I already know about phrases?

A

phrase is part of a sentence.

phrase is a group of words that may have a subject, a verb or neither.

Phrases

add color to sentences.

A phrase is part of a sentence that may be missing a subject, a verb or both.

Strolling

down to the beach (Who was strolling?) Missing a subject While at the library, (Who was at the library and what about it?) Missing a subject and a verb
Constantly

going to school (Who was constantly going to school?) Missing a subject/helping verb

Phrases add color to sentences.

[Of

the many kinds of spectacular birds,] none is more amazing than the hummingbird.
Without

the words in brackets, the sentence would not be as colorful.

None

is more amazing than the hummingbird.

What do I already know about clauses?

Clauses

are parts of sentences.

have both a subject and a verb. add color to sentences.

Clauses

Clauses

Clauses are parts of sentences that have a subject and a verb.

While

Gloria silently slipped through the window,

The subject of this clause isGloria The verb of this clause is slipped
because

Julio decided to report the deadly gunshot wound.

The subject of this clause isJulio The verb of this clause isdecided

Clauses add color to sentences.

Since

the college has required an extra class to help prepare students for more freedom, more students are completing their education.

Instead of: More students are completing their education.

beaver has a flat tail that he uses in marvelous ways.

Instead of: The beaver has a flat tail.

Contrast phrases and clauses

phrase may have

clause has both

A subject or A verb or Neither a subject or a verb

A subject and A verb

Compare phrases and clauses

Both

are parts of sentences. (Can be at the beginning or in the middle of sentences)

add color to sentences.

Both

Think about it!!!

How can knowing about phrases and clauses help you in writing?