A CLAUSE is a collection of grammatically-related words including a predicate and a subject.
Ex
- since she laughs at diffident men
- I despise individuals of low character
- when the saints go marching in
- Obediah Simpson is uglier than a rabid racoon
- because she smiled at him.
A PHRASE is a group of related words that does not contain a verb and its subject. A phrase functions as a single part of speech.
PHRASES are versatile. They can function as nouns, adjectives or adverbs. They allow writers to expand sentences. In this way, writers can add descriptions and details and they can control the flow of their prose.
Here are some types of phrases. Study their forms and examples:
1. The prepositional phrase includes the preposition and the object of the preposition as well as any modifiers related to either.
Examples:
The flying saucer appeared above the lake before it disappeared into space.
- ABOVE is not an adverb because it has an object to complete its meaning; therefore, ABOVE is a preposition and the entire phrase is an adverb phrase.
Crystal could hear her sister snoring across the room.
- Objects usually answer the question what. Therefore, we can ask across what? to determine the object of the preposition.
2. An appositive phrase modifies or describes a noun or a pronoun. It is usually after the noun, but it could be located in front of the word it modifies.
Examples:
Franklin, a talented man, served our country well.
- ( a talented man is the appositive phrase) or
A talented man, Ben Franklin served our country well.
- ( a talented man is still the appositive, but is located before the main subject)
3. A verbal phrase consists of a verbal and any objects or modifiers.
Remember: A verbal is a verb form that does not serve as a verb in the sentence. Instead, it functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
There are three types of verbals: infinitive, participial, and gerund.
Remember: A modifier is usually an adjective or an adverb that limits, clarifies, of qualifies another element of the sentence.
As there are three types of verbals, there are three types of verbal phrases:
1. INFINITIVE PHRASES - start with an infinitive which is followed by any objects, and/or modifiers.
Ex:
To tour Australia slowly is my dream.
infinitive: to tour object: Australia (the direct object of the infinitive) modifier: slowly (an adverb modifying the infinitive) infinitive phrase: to tour Australia slowly
I must study to pass my winter exams with good marks.
infinitive: to pass object: my winter exams (the D.O. of the infinitive) modifier: with good marks (a prepositional phrase modifying the infinitive) infinitive phrase: to pass my winter exams with good marks
2. GERUND PHRASES - consist of a gerund and any objects and/or modifiers . A gerund phrase can look similar to a participial phrase because the gerund has the same form as the present participle. The main difference is that the gerund (phrase) functions as a noun (ie. subject, object, subject complement, appositive), and the participial phrase as an adjective.
Example:
I enjoy riding my bike in the evening.
gerund: riding direct object: my bike modifiers: in the evening
3. PARTICIPIAL PHRASES -consist of either a past or a present participle and any objects, and/or modifiers . Participial phrases always function as adjectives within a sentence.
Examples:
That dog keenly hunting the ducks must be a thoroughbred.
participial: hunting object: the ducks (the D.O. of the participial) modifier: keenly (an adverb modifiying the participial) participial phrase: keenly hunting the ducks
Hidden by the trees, Jerry waited to scare Mark.
participial: hidden modifier: by the trees (a prepositional phrase modifying "hidden") participial phrase: hidden by the trees (an adjective modifying "Jerry")
Helpful Links: http://marksesl.com/grammar/Phrases_and_Clauses.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clause
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