Grammar Ranks: PHRASE- CLAUSE and SENTENCE

 

Because we shall speak not only of sentences but of phrases and clauses, let´s begin by defining these terms.

A phrase is a group of related words, without subject or predicate, used as a single part of speech. The following expressions are phrases:

• for Christmas
• to the river
• the new book

A clause is a group of related words containing a subject and a predicate (with a finite /conjugated verb). The following are clauses:

• where he went
• that the snow was falling
• we went out early

Remember: a clause is distinguished from a phrase by having a subject and a predicate.

What´s a sentence?

A sentence is a grammatical unit made up of a SUBJECT and a PREDICATE (with a finite/conjugated verb). It is a unit of meaning that begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark.

_________________________________________________

PHRASE CLASSES

The different word classes can form the basis of phrases. When they do this, they operate as the head of the phrase. So, a noun operates as the head of a noun phrase, a verb as the head of a verb phrase, and so on.

Heads of phrases (H) can have words before them (e.g. determiners (det), adjectives (adj), adverbs (adv)) or after them (e.g. postmodifiers (pm) or complements (c)):

(Source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/word-classes-and-phrase-classes )

The head or nucleus is the most important element in the phrase.

The table 

The expensive car 

very quickly 

extremely cold

The head determines the type of phrase

Now watch the following video:

NOUN PHRASE

A noun operates as the head of a noun phrase.

Examples:

The clever children

The book about History

Heads of noun phrases (H) can have words before them (PRE MODIFIERS) or after them (POST MODIFIERS).

ADJECTIVAL PHRASE

An adjective operates as the head of an adjectival phrase.

Examples:

very tall

so confident

extremely cold

ADVERBIAL PHRASE

An adverb operates as the head of an adverbial phrase.

Examples:

very quickly

so slowly

VERB PHRASE

A verb operates as the head of a verb phrase.

Examples:

would study

made

did not go

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

The head is a preposition.

Examples:

on the table

under the desk

Apart from the head, they require an object to the preposition

TYPES OF CLAUSES

A clause may be classified as independent (main) or dependent (subordinate). 

An independent or main clause can stand alone as a sentence:

 e.g. "The telephone rang."

A dependent or subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and make sense because it depends on the main clause.

e.g. "While I was taking a shower, the telephone rang.": while I was taking a shower" is a dependent clause.

We have prepared some videos for you. Watch them now, please:

1 - Meaning is primary!!! Learn about NOTIONS - Click HERE

2 - Words? Phrases? Clauses? What's what? Click HERE

Extra material: here are some videos that explain the topics we have discussed.

PHRASES VS CLAUSES

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/grammar/syntax-sentences-and-clauses/phrases-and-clauses/v/phrases-and-clauses-syntax-khan-academy

DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT CLAUSES

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/grammar/syntax-sentences-and-clauses/phrases-and-clauses/v/dependent-and-independent-clauses-syntax-khan-academy

DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT CLAUSES (OPTIONAL ONLINE ACTIVITY).

Each sentence contains a clause in CAPITAL letters. Decide whether this clause is dependent or independent by clicking on the red button next to your choice.


http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/clauses_ex2.htm