Study Notes
Phrases are groups of words that act like a part of speech but do not contain a finite verb or convey a complete thought. Clauses are groups of words that contain a subject and a verb and can convey a complete thought.
- Phrase — a group of words acting like a part of speech without a finite verb. Example: My old grandmother
- Clause — a group of words with a subject and a verb that conveys a complete thought. Example: The man went home.
- Main Clause — an independent clause that expresses a complete meaning and can stand alone. Example: Ross and Emma took the bus.
- Subordinate Clause — a dependent clause that cannot express a complete meaning on its own and depends on a main clause. Example: Because he was hungry, John ate the pizza.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- A phrase is a group of words acting like a part of speech without a finite verb.
- A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that conveys a complete thought.
- A main clause is an independent clause that can stand alone.
- A subordinate clause is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone.
Common Confusions
- Confusing phrases with clauses because phrases do not have a subject and verb.
- Thinking subordinate clauses can stand alone like main clauses.
Typical Exam Questions
- What is a phrase? A group of words acting like a part of speech without a finite verb.
- What is a main clause? An independent clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.
- Identify the subordinate clause in a sentence. Example: Because he was hungry, John ate the pizza.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Ability to distinguish between phrases and clauses.
- Identification of main and subordinate clauses in sentences.