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.
Write down the sentence, underline
independent clauses, and [bracket
dependent clauses] if necessary.
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.
Write down the sentence, underline
independent clauses, and [bracket
dependent clauses] if necessary.
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.
Write down the sentence, underline
independent clauses, and [bracket
dependent clauses] if necessary.
Then tell me what type of sentence it is!
Coach Welborn has a remarkable amount
of charm and is an excellent teacher.
Write down the sentence, underline
independent clauses, and [bracket
dependent clauses] if necessary.
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.