Phrases and Clauses

What Is a Phrase?

A phrase is a group of words that stand together as a single unit, typically as part of a clause or a sentence.

A phrase does not contain a subject and verb and, consequently, cannot convey a complete thought.

Examples

• I stopped believing in Santa Clause when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph. (Shirley Temple)– This phrase acts like a noun. It is the direct

object of the verb stopped. This phrase is a gerund phrase.

• I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph.

– This phrase acts like a noun. It is the subject of the adverbial clause when my mother took me to see him in a department store.

– This phrase acts like a noun. It is the object of the preposition for.

– This phrase acts like an adverb. It tells us where the activity took place. It is an adverb of place.

Independent Clauses

• An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence:

– Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

Dependent Clause

• A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.

• When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)

Dependent Marker Word

• A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.

• When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.

Dependent Marker Word

• Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

Coordinating Conjunctions

• The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an independent clause are and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction:– Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz,

but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.

Sentence Types

• Simple– 1 Independent Clause

• Compound– 2 or more Independent Clauses

• Complex– 1 Independent clause and 1 or more dependent

clauses.• Compound Complex– 2 or more independent clauses and 1 or more

dependent clauses.

Instructions

• Underline the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE• Put [brackets] around the DEPENDENT CLAUSE• Write down what type of sentence you think it

is: simple, compound, complex, or compound complex.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

He is smart, but Mrs. Powers is smarter.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Odysseus is an epic hero.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Even though Coach Welborn is smart, she likes to have fun.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Polyphemus couldn’t keep his eye on Odysseus, and he paid the price.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Because Mrs. Powers loved books so much, she read all Saturday.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

I like to ride unicorns through rainbows, and I enjoy magic carpet rides, too.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Time travel is dangerous, and it can change the future.

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Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Even though Odysseus is crafty, his pride made him taunt Polyphemus, and several men died as a result.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Kanye likes Kim because of her character and wit.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Everyone should read the works of Brian Jacques.

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Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

In order to appreciate books, you should always have a book to read!

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Mr. Heaton’s wife can make a mean cupcake, and she can also bake a killer lasagna.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Mr. Heaton’s wife can make a mean cupcake and bake a killer lasagna.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Even though the Hobbit has odd creatures and magical events, it is a spectacular story to read since it has nonstop action.

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Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Coach Welborn has a remarkable amount of charm and is an excellent teacher.

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Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Mrs. Powers likes to eat sushi, and she thinks chopsticks are cool.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

Because it always gets stuck in her teeth, Mrs. Powers avoids eating popcorn.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

If you read Ender’s Game, you’ll like reading.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

I like eating chips, but I think french fries are better.

Write down the sentence, underline independent clauses, and [bracket dependent clauses] if necessary.

Then tell me what type of sentence it is!

While I slept last night, I had dreams about unicorns and dragons because I ate Thai food for dinner.