Phrases and Clauses

Dotti Shelton

Developmental English Instructor

South Texas Community College

What do I already know about phrases?

•A phrase is part of a sentence.

•A phrase is a group of words that may have a subject, a verb or neither.

•Phrases add color to sentences.

A phrase is part of a sentence that may be missing a subject, a verb or both.

•Strolling down to the beach… (Who was strolling?)

Missing a subject•While at the library,… (Who was at the library and what about it?)

Missing a subject and a verb

•Constantly going to school… (Who was constantly going to school?)

Missing a subject/helping verb

Phrases add color to sentences.

•[Of the many kinds of spectacular birds,] none is more amazing than the hummingbird.

•Without the words in brackets, the sentence would not be as colorful.

•None is more amazing than the hummingbird.

What do I already know about clauses?

•Clauses are parts of sentences.

•Clauses have both a subject and a verb.

•Clauses add color to sentences.

Clauses are parts of sentences that have a subject and a verb.

•While Gloria silently slipped through the window,…

• The subject of this clause is…Gloria• The verb of this clause is …slipped

•…because Julio decided to report the deadly gunshot wound.

• The subject of this clause is…Julio• The verb of this clause is…decided

Clauses add color to sentences.

•Since the college has required an extra class to help prepare students for more freedom, more students are completing their education.

• Instead of: More students are completing their education.

•A beaver has a flat tail that he uses in marvelous ways.

• Instead of: The beaver has a flat tail.

Contrast phrases and clauses

•A phrase may have• A subject or• A verb or• Neither a subject or a

verb

•A clause has both• A subject and• A verb

Compare phrases and clauses

•Both are parts of sentences.

(Can be at the beginning or

in the middle of sentences)

•Both add color to sentences.

Think about it!!!

How can knowing about phrases

and clauses help you in writing?