Phrases and Clauses

• What is a phrase? It is a group of words that go together.

For example → in the morning, last month, in front of my houseA phrase DOES NOT HAVE A VERB OR A SUBJECT.

• What is a clause?It is a group of words that has a subject and a verb. Some sentences have only one clause.

For example → She found a good job. (simple sentence)

John studied in his room, but he couldn’t concentrate because of the loud noise. (compound sentence)

Independent and Dependent Clauses

There are 2 types of clauses and understanding what they are can help improve your writing.

Independent clause:It is a group of words that has a subject and a verb, and it

expresses a complete thought. An independent clause IS A SENTENCE!!!!!

Dependent clause(subordinate):It is a group of words that has a subject and a verb, but it DOES

NOT EXPRESS a complete thought.

For example → If you study. (This called a fragment)This clause does not communicate a complete idea/thought. It is incomplete.

Examples of clauses

It is very common to combine and use independent and dependent clauses together. These sentences are called complex sentences!!!!

For example → I will pass the test, if I study everyday.

When I feel tired, I go to bed.

Before I go to bed, I watch television to relax.

Notice that in order to combine the two clauses you need to use certain expressions to help make the connection between the two clauses.

How to combine independent clauses

• Incorrect sentence: I like the class, it is interesting. Correct sentence: I like the class because it is interesting.

• Incorrect sentence: He enjoys walking through the country he often goes backpacking on his vacations.

Correct sentence: He enjoys walking through the country; he often goes backpacking on his vacations.

• When you have TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES, you can use conjunctions or the semicolon (;) to combine them.

How to fix fragments

Incorrect sentence: Because I forgot it in my room.Correct sentence: I didn’t bring my book because I forgot it in

my room.

Incorrect sentence: After he calls me.Correct sentence: After he calls me, I am going to take a

shower.

Incorrect sentence: While I was sleeping.Correct sentence: While I was sleeping, my brother

called me and left me a message.