Grammar#3 Phrases and Clauses

1. A phrase is a group of related words that does not contain both a verb and its subject. EX. should have waited (no subject—who or what should have waited?) Into the night (no subject or verb--what or who did what into the night)

2. A clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb. EX. They will be here soon (they is the subject of will be) After she leaves (she is the subject of leaves) Jenny left the movies (jenny is the subject of left)

There are two kinds of clauses------dependent and independent Independent clause=expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence. EX. We celebrated after we passed the test. Monica saw the mouse in the corner.

Dependent clause= does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone. Words such as who, that, because, if, when, although, and since signal that the clause they introduced is dependent and must be joined to an independent clause to make a complete sentence. EX: since she told us the truth (what happened since she told you the truth?) When I am busy (what happens when you are busy?)

For each of the following, underline the subject once and the verb twice if they are both present. Then identify if it is a phrase, an independent clause or a dependent clause. Remember---- phrases do not have both a subject and a verb.

Even thought soccer has not become as popular in the United States. ______

In the garage. ______

The outfielders were missing the balls. ______

Because tennis is so physically demanding. ______

The new student in our class. ______

To become a lawyer. ______

People like to eat ice cream. ______