Phrases vs. Clauses

1. Phrases vs. Clauses What’s the difference and why does it matter?

2. Phrases • A phrase is a group of words that acts as a single part of speech (like a noun or adjective) that does not contain both a subject and a verb. It is a part of the main sentence but cannot express a complete thought on its own. • After midnight, Egbert's mother was on the roofdancing with a Ukranian bullfighter. • Surprised by the intensity of her disgust, Felicity stared at the cockroachscurrying across her omelet.

3. More examples of PHRASES • With the silence and immobility of a great reddish-tinted rock, Thor stoodfor many minutes, looking out over his domain. • His hands raw, he reached a flat placeat the top of the mountain. • His car,a perfectly maintained 1960 Thunderbird, stoodin the driveway.

4. More examples of PHRASES • With the silence and immobility of a great reddish-tinted rock, Thor stood for many minutes, looking out over his domain. • His hands raw, he reached a flat placeat the top of the mountain. • His car,a perfectly maintained 1960 Thunderbird, stoodin the driveway. NOTICE: What’s in red is the main sentence—the independent clause—and all the phrases provide extra information for it.

5. Phind the Phrases • Mr. Tennenbaum, a stocky, bald-headed man, is my boss. • Mr. Tennenbaum, [a stocky, bald-headed man],is my boss. • He stood there for a long time, his carpetbag in his hand. • He stood there[for a long time],[his carpetbag in his hand].

6. Phind the Phrases • Mr. Tennenbaum, a stocky, bald-headed man, is my boss. • Mr. Tennenbaumis my boss. • He stood there for a long time, his carpetbag in his hand. • He stood there. Notice: You can take away the phrases and are left with the main sentence. Phrases provide extra information.

7. Phind the Phrases • Rita planted seeds in her garden, hoping they would grow into succulent tomatoes, but Taylor, being sometimes forgetful, forgot to water them, causing the plants to wither and die. • Rita planted seeds[in her garden],[hoping they would grow][into succulent tomatoes], but Taylor, [being sometimes forgetful],forgotto water them, [causing the plants to wither and die].

8. Phind the Phrases • Rita planted seeds in her garden, hoping they would grow into succulent tomatoes, but Taylor, being sometimes forgetful, forgot to water them, causing the plants to wither and die. • Rita planted seeds. • Taylor forgotto water them. Here are the main ideas in this sentence. The phrases provide extra information.

9. Clauses • A clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a predicate (a verb). There are two types of clauses: independent and dependent. • An independent clause expresses a complete thought on its own. It is “independent”. • A dependent clause, although it has a subject and a verb, does not express a complete thought on its own. It is “dependent” upon and must be attached to an independent clause.

10. Examples of Independent Clauses • I shall haunt youuntil your dying day. • Josh barfedon the desk. • Take out the papers and the trash. • Baby, you can drive my car. • I would like to take you to the movies.

11. Examples of Dependent Clauses • When she fell out of the apple tree. • As he approached the top of the ridge. • Where Alex sat crying in the mud. • Because his pants wouldn’t fit him anymore. • After you finish sorting your sock collection. • If you’re very sweet to me. • Before he started chewing on his tie. • Typically, dependent clauses begin with a word that keeps the clause from being independent.

12. Independent or Dependent? • The dog chewed on my hand. • Independent • Because he couldn’t find anything else to do. • Dependent • It didn’t hurt much. • Independent • Until he got to the bone. • Dependent • Then, I poked him in his eye. • Independent When we try to pass off a Dependent Clause as a sentence, it doesn’t work because it’s just a FRAGMENT of a sentence.

13. Phrase or Clause? • When we couldn’t hear a sound • Clause (Dependent) • Wearing a snorkel and a cape • Phrase • Ashley jumped out of the bushes • Clause (Independent) • Giving all of us a heart attack • Phrase • By putting super glue on the mouthpiece of her snorkel • Phrase • The next time she wears her snorkel • Clause (Dependent)

14. Phrase, Dependent Clause, or Independent Clause? Complete in your notebook. • Lifting the rope and heading for his corner • Jack entered the ring • Sparring to warm up • Punching the air with a rapid piston-like movement • His opponent was already waiting there • Worried more than usual • Because his opponent would be his toughest yet • Jack listened to the referee • His body tensing • Jack took off his robe and waited for the bell

15. Phrase, Dependent Clause, or Independent Clause? 1) Lifting the rope and heading for his corner, • Phrase – no subject 2)Jack entered the ring. • Independent Clause 3) Sparring to warm up, • Phrase – no subject 4) Punching the air with a rapid piston-like movement, • Phrase – no subject

16. Phrase, Dependent Clause, or Independent Clause? 5) His opponent was already waiting there. • Independent Clause 6) Worried more than usual • Phrase – no subject 7) Because his opponent would be his toughest yet, • Dependent Clause 8) Jack listened to the referee. • Independent Clause

17. Phrase, Dependent Clause, or Independent Clause? 9) His body tensing, • Phrase – no subject 10) Jack took off his robe and waited for the bell. • Independent Clause

18. Unscramble these phrases and clauses into ONE sentence! • warning the traffic to make way • in the flurry of traffic • who only an hour ago had been asleep • wailing like a giant in agony • the ambulance driver • and his siren • gripped the steering wheel Complete this exercise on your handout.

19. Phrase/Clause Unscramble Solution 2, 5, 3, 7, 6, 4, 1 In the flurry of traffic, the ambulance driver, who only an hour ago had been asleep, gripped the steering wheel, and his siren, wailing like a giant in agony, warning the traffic to make way.