Master Phrases, Clauses and Sentences
Phrases, Clauses and Sentences
Parts of a Sentence
A sentence is a group of words which makes complete sense. However, the sentence itself is made up of smaller elements called phrases and clauses.
Phrase
Technically, words are the smallest units of a sentence. A group of words which has no subject or predicate is called a phrase. Grammatically, the phrase is the basic unit of English Grammar.
- A phrase can be a short group of words.
- It can also be a long group of words.
- Phrases represent various parts of speech.
Types of Phrases
Noun Phrase
- A phrase which functions as a noun in a sentence is called a noun phrase.
- The phrase comprises a noun along with one or more modifiers.
Verb Phrase
- A verb phrase contains both a verb and an auxiliary or helping verb.
- It may contain a direct or an indirect object.
- It is the main part of the predicate of the sentence.
Adjective Phrase
- An adjective phrase is a group of words which functions as the adjective in the sentence.
- The main word in the phrase is the adjective.
- It is placed before a noun or as a part of the predicate of the sentence.
Adverb Phrase
- An adverb phrase is a group of words which functions as the adverb in the sentence.
- It can modify either an adjective or another adverb in the sentence.
Prepositional Phrase
- A prepositional phrase comprises a preposition and a noun or a pronoun which functions as its object.
- The prepositional phrase may also contain modifiers.
- It may function as an adjective or an adverb in the sentence.
Appositive Phrase
- An appositive is a word which is placed next to another word in order to explain it.
- An appositive phrase is nothing but a noun phrase which is used for modifying or explaining another word in the sentence.
Infinitive Phrase
- An infinitive phrase comprises an infinitive (to + verb) and modifiers and complements.
- The complement of an infinitive is its indirect object and its modifier is its adverb.
- They can act as adjectives, adverbs or nouns.
Gerund Phrase
- Gerunds are words which end in ‘-ing’.
- They look like verbs but act like nouns.
- The gerund phrase comprises a gerund, its object and modifiers.
- It performs all the functions of a noun.
- Prepositional phrases are often part of gerund phrases.
Participial Phrase
- A participial phrase is an adjective phrase which comprises a participle (past or present) along with relevant complements and modifiers.
- It always functions as an adjective.
- It is separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma if they are used at the beginning of the sentence.
- It is separated from the rest of the sentence by two commas if it is used in between a sentence.
Absolute Phrase
- An absolute phrase is a combination of a noun and a participle along with other complements and modifiers.
- It qualifies an entire sentence.
Clause
A clause is a group of related words which contains a subject and a predicate. Unlike a phrase, a clause is complete in meaning and can function as an independent sentence.
There are two basic types of clauses:
- Main clause
- Subordinate clause
Main Clause
The main clause contains a subject and a verb which can stand independently as a sentence.
Subordinate Clause
The subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb, but unlike the main clause, it cannot stand independently as a sentence. It requires the support of the main verb in order to function properly.
Types of Subordinate Clauses
Adverb clauses can be further divided into 7 types:
Relationship between Phrases and Clauses
- Phrases are groups of words which act as parts of speech. When phrases come together, they form clauses.
- Clauses are simple sentences by themselves; however, two or more clauses can be joined together to form bigger sentences.
Examples in Tabular Format
| the man | in the jungle | an old man | on time |
| The man standing at the other end of the room gestured to me. | Noun phrase/subject |
| He wielded a sceptre made of gold and diamonds. | Adjective phrase |
| Manisha shifted to a house at the end of the street. | Adverb phrase |
| I have heard this song before. | Verb phrase |
| an important point | the long road | a toothbrush | a noun phrase |
| Function | Conjunction | Conjunctive Adverb | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| To add information or idea | and | in addition, besides, also, furthermore, moreover | Jagadish studied at the University during the day, and he worked as a waiter at the local bar at night. |
| To show the order of things or actions | first, second, later, lastly, ultimately | First, he opened the door. He then called out to anyone inside. Ultimately, when he got no answer, he ventured inside. | |
| To show contradiction or contrast | but, yet | however, on the other hand, nevertheless, in contrast | She always passed by the expensive boutique, but she never dared to enter it. |
| Function | Conjunction | Conjunctive Adverb | Example |
| To show the consequence | so | hence, therefore, consequently, as a result, thus | Growing children have nutritional needs which are different from adults. Thus, a kids’ health drink is made by keeping their requirements in mind. |
| To show alternatives | either…or | otherwise | Akshaya rings up her parents twice every day. Otherwise, they become extremely anxious. |
| To put emphasis on | certainly, indeed, in fact | I enjoy watching regional movies. In fact, they are the only ones I enjoy. | |
| To provide an example | For example, for instance | Do a kind deed every day. For instance, say a kind word to someone to make them happy. | |
| To conclude or to summarise | in conclusion, in short | Farid siphoned money from all the companies he had worked for. In short, he was the greediest and the most amoral person I have ever met. |
Clause Examples
| Though he was a wealthy man, he never took pride in his riches. |
| Unless the accused confesses to the crime, the case will not proceed any further. |
| Geeta failed to understand how the thief got in because she had locked all the doors and windows. |
| Sarita gasped loudly when she saw a snake slither by. |
Types of Clauses
| Types of Clauses | Types of Clauses | Subordinators | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun Clause | Noun Clause | What, when, why, where, how, who, whom, which, whose, whether, that, if | Gauri believes that she can get away with anything. |
| Adjective Clause | Adjective Clause | who, whom, which, whose, that, where, when | The flower that has the unique markings is a tiger lily. |
| Time | when, before, after, since, till, until | The lady left before help could arrive. | |
| Place | where, wherever | She will go wherever she pleases. | |
| Result | so… that, such…that | Property in Mumbai is so expensive that the common man finds it difficult to buy a house for himself. | |
| Adverb Clause | Cause | because, since | Kajal travels by taxi since bus journeys make her sick. |
| Purpose | in order to, so that | I took leave so that I could tend to my sick friend. | |
| Concession | although, even though | Although Ram is highly qualified, he settled for a low-paying job. | |
| Condition | if, unless | Unless you try, you will not succeed. |
1 Comment.
Comments are closed.