Phrase and clause are the most important elements of English grammar. Phrase and clause cover everything a sentence has. Clauses are the center of sentences and phrases strengthen the sentences to become meaningful. If the clauses are the pillars of a building, the phrases are the bricks. A phrase usually is always present within a clause, but a phrase cannot have a clause in it. The basic difference between a clause and a phrase is that a clause must have a finite verb and a phrase must not. In this Power Point Presentation I clearly Discussed about the Phrases and Clauses in very detailed manner. Please use this Power Point Presentation for your reference purpose.
Hierarchy of management that covers different levels of management
Phrases and clauses
1. P R E P A R E D B Y
A N T O H
D E P A R T M E N T O F E N G L I S H
S T X A V I E R ’ S C O L L E G E O F E D U C A T I O N ( A U T O N O M O U S )
P A L A Y A M K O T T A I
T I R U N E L V E L I
I N D I A
T A M I L N A D U
P I N – 6 2 7 0 0 2 .
PHRASES AND CLAUSES
2. General Information
Phrase and clause are the most important elements of
English grammar.
Phrase and clause cover everything a sentence has.
Clauses are the center of sentences and phrases
strengthen the sentences to become meaningful.
If the clauses are the pillars of a building, the phrases are
the bricks.
A phrase usually is always present within a clause, but a
phrase cannot have a clause in it.
The basic difference between a clause and a phrase is that
a clause must have a finite verb and a phrase must not.
3. Phrase
A phrase, therefore, is a group of words which has
no finite verb in it and acts to complete the sentence
for making it meaningful.
4. Phrase according to Oxford Dictionary
“A phrase is a small group of words that form a
meaningful unit within a clause.”-Oxford
Dictionary
5. Phrase according to Osborne, Timothy,
Michael Putnam, and Thomas Gross (2011)
“In linguistic analysis, a phrase is a group of words
(or possibly a single word) that functions as
a constituent in the syntax of a sentence, a single
unit within agrammatical hierarchy.”- Osborne,
Timothy, Michael Putnam, and Thomas
Gross (2011)
7. Noun Phrase
A noun phrase is usually assembled centering a
single noun and works as a subject, an object or a
complement in the sentence.
8. Examples
I like to swing the bat hard when I am at the
crease. (An object)
Reading novels is a good habit. (A subject)
The probability of happening that match is not
much. (A subject)
We are sorry for her departure.
9. Adjective Phrase
An adjective phrase is comprised of an adjective
and works as a single adjective in the sentence.
10. Examples
Alex is a well-behaved man.
He is a man of friendly nature.
Julie is a woman of gorgeous style.
She leads a very interesting life.
A lot of people do not sleep at night.
11. Adverbial Phrase
An adverbial phrase modifies the verb or the
adjective and works as an adverb in the sentence.
12. Examples
The horse runs at a good speed.
I was in a hurry then.
I ran as fast as possible.
He works very slowly.
13. Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase always begins with a
preposition and connects nouns.
14. Examples
He sacrificed his life for the sake of his country.
In the end, we all have to die.
He is on the way.
By working aimlessly, you will not get success.
In spite of working hard, he was insulted by his
boss.
Note: Prepositional phrases include all other
types of phrases.
16. Examples
As soon as you got in, he went out.
We have to work hard so that we can win the next
match.
I will attend the ceremony provided that you come.
John started working early in order that he could
finish early.
18. Examples
What a pity! He is dead.
What a pleasure! I won the first prize.
Oh please! Don’t say that again.
19. Clause
A clause is comprised of a group of words which
includes a subject and a finite verb.
A clause contains only one subject and one verb.
The subject of a clause can be mentioned or hidden,
but the verb must be apparent and distinguishable.
20. Clause according to Merriam Webster
A clause “a group of words containing a subject and
predicate and functioning as a member of a complex
or compound sentence.” – Merriam-Webster
21. Examples
I graduated last year. (One clause sentence)
When I came here, I saw him. (Two clause
sentence)
When I came here, I saw him, and he greeted
me. (Three clause sentence)
23. Independent Clause
An independent clause functions on its own to
make a meaningful sentence and looks much like a
regular sentence.
In a sentence two independent clauses can be
connected by the coordinators: and, but, so, or,
nor, for, yet.
24. Examples
He is a wise man.
I like him.
Can you do it?
Do it please. (Subject you is hidden)
I read the whole story.
I want to buy a phone, but I don’t have enough
money. (Two independent clauses)
He went to London and visited the Lords.
(Subject of the second clause is ‘he,' so “he
visited the Lords” is an independent clause.)
Alex smiles whenever he sees her. (One independent
clause)
25. Dependent Clause
A dependent clause cannot function on its own
because it leaves an idea or thought unfinished.
It is also called subordinate clause. Dependent clauses
help the independent clauses complete the sentence.
A dependent clause alone cannot form a complete
sentence.
The subordinators do the work of connecting the
dependent clause to another clause to complete the
sentence.
In each of the dependent clause, the first word is a
subordinator.
Subordinators include relative pronouns, subordinating
conjunctions, and noun clause markers.
26. Examples
When I was dating Daina, I had an accident.
I know the man who stole the watch.
He bought a car which was too expensive.
I know that he cannot do it.
He does not know where he was born.
If you don’t eat, I won’t go.
He is a very talented player though he is out of
form.