Phrases and Clauses Another Fun Grammar lesson Teaching you how to express yourself in the clearest and most economical way.

Phrase  A phrase is a group of words that acts in a sentence as a single part of speech  A phrase is usually part of a larger construction like a clause or sentence.  A phrase is not a sentence because it is not a complete idea with a subject, and a verb.  Examples in italics:  On a farm, one gets accustomed to working in the heat.  By midsummer the corn was in tassel.  Learning a new language is difficult for many people.  I have always wanted to learn woodworking.  Many cities encourage residents to separate recyclable items.

Noun Phrase  A noun phrase, has one or more words working together to give more information about a noun.  A noun phrase can function as a subject or object.  Examples in italics: all my dear children the information age seventeen hungry lions in the rocks huge and muddy hippos in the river

Adjective Phrase  In an adjective phrase, one or more words work together to give more information about an adjective.  Examples in italics: so very sweet earnest in her desire very happy with his work seemingly disgruntled with the result

Verb Phrase  A verb phrase, has one or more words working together to give more meaning to a verb.  A verb phrase consists of the verb plus any auxiliary or helping verbs.  The most common are forms of be and have.  Examples in italics:  We will weed the vegetable garden this morning.  Sandra has already weeded all the peppers and the tomatoes  We were weeding the flowerbeds when the rain started.  I was running in my dream.

Adverb Phrase  an adverb phrase, gives more information about an adverb.  An adverb phrase modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.  Examples in italics: especially softly formerly of the city of Perth much too quickly to see clearly

Prepositional Phrases  A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition.  A prepositional phrase ends with a noun or a pronoun,  This noun or pronoun is called the object of the preposition.  Examples in italics:  The new picture hangs on the wall. [Wall is the object of the preposition on.]  The room beside the kitchen is empty. [Kitchen is the object of the preposition beside.]  That puzzle is too difficult for me. [ Me is the object of the preposition for.]

Clauses  A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.  A clause can function as a sentence by itself or as part of a sentence.  There are two types of clauses:  Main or Independent Clauses  A Independent clause has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.  Every sentence must have at least one main clause.  Dependent or Subordinate Clauses  Has a subject and verb, but does not express a complete thought.  It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Clause Types  There are three types of Subordinate Clauses:  Adjective Clauses  Modify nouns or pronouns  Adverb clauses  Modify verbs, adjectives or adverbs  Noun Clauses  Function as nouns A subordinate clause is dependent on the rest of the sentence. A relative pronoun usually introduces a subordinate clause.

Clauses Clause Examples Main Clause Subordinate Clause I enjoy a hot bath after I work a full day. Main Clause Subordinate Clause Bath salts that energize are my favorite. Main Clause Subordinate Clause Whoever likes baths will enjoy bath salts.

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