Clauses and Phrases in English Grammar

Clauses and Phrases

Independent Clauses

• A clause that expresses a complete thought and has a subject and a predicate
• Can stand alone as a complete sentence
• Examples:
  • I went to the store.
  • She ate breakfast.

Dependent Clauses

• A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence
• Begins with a subordinating conjunction (because, although, if, unless, etc.)
• Examples:
  • Because I was tired.
  • Since I forgot my wallet.

Phrases

• A group of words that function as a unit in a sentence
• Does not contain a subject or predicate
• Examples:
  • In the morning
  • With my friends

Types of Phrases

• Noun Phrase: Functions as a noun in a sentence
  • Examples: The big red car, The teacher's book
• Verb Phrase: Functions as a verb in a sentence
  • Examples: Will eat, Has been eating
• Adjective Phrase: Modifies a noun or pronoun
  • Examples: Very happy, Extremely tired
• Adverb Phrase: Modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb
  • Examples: Very quickly, In a loud voice

Correct Use of Articles

The

• Used before nouns that are specific or previously mentioned
• Examples:
  • I'm reading the book. (specific book)
  • I went to the store. (specific store)
• Used before nouns that are unique or only one of its kind
  • Examples:
    • The sun is shining.
    • The president is speaking.

A/An

• Used before nouns that are singular and indefinite
• Examples:
  • I need a book. (any book)
  • She ate an apple. (any apple)
• A is used before nouns that start with a consonant sound
  • Examples:
    • A cat, A dog
• An is used before nouns that start with a vowel sound
  • Examples:
    • An elephant, An orange

No Article

• Used before plural nouns or nouns that are general or abstract
• Examples:
  • I love animals. (general)
  • Happiness is important. (abstract)
• Used before nouns that are not specific or previously mentioned
  • Examples:
    • I'm going to a store. (any store)
    • I need a doctor. (any doctor)

Clauses and Phrases

• A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a predicate.
• Independent clauses express a complete thought and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
• Dependent clauses cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and begin with a subordinating conjunction.

Independent Clauses

• Have a subject and a predicate.
• Can stand alone as a complete sentence.
• Examples: I went to the store, She ate breakfast.

Dependent Clauses

• Cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
• Begin with a subordinating conjunction (because, although, if, unless, etc.).
• Examples: Because I was tired, Since I forgot my wallet.

Phrases

• A group of words that function as a unit in a sentence.
• Do not contain a subject or predicate.
• Examples: In the morning, With my friends.

Types of Phrases

• Noun Phrase: Functions as a noun in a sentence.
• Verb Phrase: Functions as a verb in a sentence.
• Adjective Phrase: Modifies a noun or pronoun.
• Adverb Phrase: Modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Noun Phrase

• Examples: The big red car, The teacher's book.

Verb Phrase

• Examples: Will eat, Has been eating.

Adjective Phrase

• Examples: Very happy, Extremely tired.

Adverb Phrase

• Examples: Very quickly, In a loud voice.

Correct Use of Articles

• The is used before nouns that are specific or previously mentioned.
• The is used before nouns that are unique or only one of its kind.
• A/An is used before nouns that are singular and indefinite.
• A is used before nouns that start with a consonant sound.
• An is used before nouns that start with a vowel sound.
• No article is used before plural nouns or nouns that are general or abstract.

The

• Used before nouns that are specific or previously mentioned.
• Examples: I'm reading the book, I went to the store.
• Used before nouns that are unique or only one of its kind.
• Examples: The sun is shining, The president is speaking.

A/An

• Used before nouns that are singular and indefinite.
• Examples: I need a book, She ate an apple.
• A is used before nouns that start with a consonant sound.
• Examples: A cat, A dog.
• An is used before nouns that start with a vowel sound.
• Examples: An elephant, An orange.

No Article

• Used before plural nouns or nouns that are general or abstract.
• Examples: I love animals, Happiness is important.
• Used before nouns that are not specific or previously mentioned.
• Examples: I'm going to a store, I need a doctor.