Words, Phrases, Clauses, & Sentences Grammar Review Words, Phrases, Clauses, & Sentences

What is Grammar?

Grammar The whole system or structure of a language or of languages in general. Sometimes also referred to as syntax, linguistics, the rules of language Languages don’t actually have hard and fast rules. All languages change and evolve over time Languages started as people making rudimentary sounds in order to communicate with one another. Those rudimentary sounds then developed into the letters, words, and phrases we know today. What we call “grammar” is just a reflection of a language at a particular point in time.

The 4 Major Elements of Grammar Words, Phrases, Clauses, & Sentences

What is a Word? A single, distinct, and meaningful element of speech or writing Used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence in order to communicate meaning. Different words have different functions Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

What is a Phrase? A phrase is a word group that functions as a specific part of speech and does NOT contain both a subject and its verb. Phrases do not stand alone, they need to be paired with other phrases in order to form a sentence. This includes noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases, adverb phrases, participial phrases, infinitive phrases, gerund phrases, prepositional phrases, appositive phrases, and absolute phrases.

What is a Clause? A clause is a word group that contains both a subject and its verb. Independent Clauses can stand alone as a sentence because they express a complete thought. Examples: “I ran.” “I was late to work.” Dependent Clauses do not express a complete thought so they cannot stand alone as a sentence. “Because I woke up late…” “When we arrived in class…”