Phrases vs. Clauses – Examples and Types

Phrases vs. Clauses

A phrase is a set of words that may contain sentence-building elements such as a noun or a verb.

Examples:

• To my door.
• Of the mountains.
• How to do it.

We know that a sentence is a group of words that is complete in itself and makes complete sense and that it typically contains a subject and predicate.

But what do we call the group of words that themselves contain a subject and some predicate within a sentence?

They are called clauses.

A clause is a sentence component that includes a subject and some sort of predicate.

Examples:

• We will start early since there will be traffic in the evening.
• I was taking a shower when you called.

Clauses are of two types: Dependent clauses and independent clauses.

Let us take a look at the different types of clauses and see how a clause is different from a phrase.

Clauses:

Independent Clauses:

An independent clause, also known as the main clause, is a group of words that includes a subject and a predicate that can express a complete thought. An independent clause is capable of standing alone as a sentence.

Examples:

• He came back home in the evening.
• I won’t be able to get this done on time.
• I will be in Germany next week.

Dependent Clauses:

Read the Sentence:

You can call me when you are free.

In this sentence, the main clause is You can call me, which is a complete idea and can also stand on its own as a sentence. But the group of words that follow-when you are free– acts as a subordinate to the main clause. Though they contain a complete idea within themselves, including a subject and corresponding predicate, the presence of the conjunction when indicates that the clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. It is determined by the main clause.

Now let us define a dependent clause:

A dependent clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause is incapable of standing alone as a sentence as it always needs a main clause to depend upon. A conjunction is frequently used to identify a dependent clause.

In fact, in many cases, the presence of a conjunction is the only thing that distinguishes an independent clause from a dependent clause.

Examples:

• Since the exams are beginning tomorrow, I must sleep earlier tonight.
• The crowd went berserk when their team scored a goal.
• Kelly eats fried food whenever she is away from home.

Phrases:

Like explained earlier, a phrase is a set of words that may contain sentence-building elements such as a noun or a verb. It differs from a clause in that it may not include a subject or a predicate. A phrase adds meaning to a sentence by supplying more details regarding the subject, object, verb, or situation. A sentence is also made up of phrases. However, if you isolate a phrase from a sentence, it will not function as a whole sentence. To put it simply, clauses contain phrases, and sentences contain clauses.

Examples of phrases:

• The sun rises in the east.
• Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
• Tell me how to do it.