English Phrases and Clauses: Why the Difference Matters
English Clauses and Phrases
One critical grammatical concept that every intermediate and advanced learner must understand is the distinction between clauses and phrases. Understanding this difference is key to producing advanced English, especially when creating longer yet easy-to-follow sentences.
For example, one important grammar rule to remember is how clauses and phrases can be combined effectively.
Clause–Phrase Sentence Construction
In English, an independent clause and a phrase can be connected by a simple comma. However, connecting two independent clauses with only a comma results in a “comma splice,” also known as a “run-on sentence.”
Example of Clause–Phrase Construction
The man decided to dance on the stage, hoping that it would sweep away the negative atmosphere in the room.
In this article, we will explore how phrases and clauses can be combined to form clear and effective sentences.
Because this construction requires both phrases and clauses, fully understanding of their differences is essential.
Before we go further, let’s briefly review what clauses and phrases are.
| Involves subject and main verb | Can stand alone? | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent clause | Yes | Yes | The man dances on the floor. |
| Dependent clause | Yes | No | Because the man dances |
| Phrase | No | No | The man dancing on the floor |
Clauses
In English, a clause refers to a chunk of meaningful words that contain both a subject and its main verb. Depending on whether it can stand as a complete sentence by itself, a clause can be divided into two types:
- Independent clause: can be used as a complete sentence by itself.
- Dependent clause: requires another independent clause to form a complete sentence.
Independent Clause
This concept is straightforward. As long as a set of words contains both a subject and a main verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence, it is considered an independent clause.
Remember that the subject is typically the doer of an action or the main topic of the sentence, while the verb expresses the action performed by the subject or the subject’s state of being.
Let’s look at an example of an independent clause:
The researcher examined the literature.
This clause contains the subject “the researcher” and the verb “examined,” followed by the object “the literature.” The verb “examined” expresses the action performed by the subject “the researcher.” Because it can stand alone as a complete sentence, it qualifies as an independent clause.
Let’s look at another example:
He is independent.
This clause includes both the subject “he” and the linking verb “is,” followed by the complement “independent.” This forms a complete SVC construction, so it can stand alone as a sentence. Because it expresses a complete thought, it is an independent clause.
Dependent Clause
A dependent clause is still a clause, meaning that it contains both a subject and a main verb. However, the key difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause is that the latter can’t stand alone as a complete sentence. A dependent clause must be attached to an independent clause to form a grammatically complete sentence.
Here is an example of a dependent clause used in a sentence:
Because the discovery reshaped the way we observe ancient culture, we need to reexamine the literature.
The first part of the sentence begins with the conjunction “because.” When this structure is used, the sentence consists of a dependent clause introduced by a conjunction and an independent clause.
Phrases
A phrase is a group of words that doesn’t contain a subject–verb combination. Although it may imply a subject, the subject is not explicitly stated. Because a phrase lacks a complete subject–verb structure, it can’t function as a complete sentence on its own.
Depending on the head word of the phrase, phrases can be categorized into several types. The following are some common types of phrases:
- Noun phrase: A group of words that functions as a noun in a sentence.
- Prepositional phrase: A group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with its object.
- Participial phrase: A group of words that begins with a participle (verb-ing or past participle form) and functions as an adjective.
A phrase may also contain another type of phrase. For example, a noun phrase can consist of a noun modified by a participial phrase that functions as an adjective.
For example, the noun phrase “The man dancing on the stage” consists of the following parts:
- Noun: The man
- Participial phrase (functioning as an adjective): dancing on the stage.
Now, here are some example sentences with above phrases.
Noun Phrase
A noun phrase is a group of words that functions as a noun. Once you understand how noun phrases are constructed, you can express ideas in a more informative and sophisticated way.
For example, you can create a sentence with a longer subject by using a noun phrase:
The professor teaching Psychology at my college used to live in Canada.
In this sentence, the noun phrase “the professor teaching Psychology at my college” functions as the subject, and “used to live” is the main verb.
More specifically, this noun phrase consists of the noun “the professor” and the participial phrase “teaching Psychology at my college.” Therefore, the subject has the following structure:
Noun + Participial Phrase = Noun Phrase.
Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with its object. In some sentence patterns, a sentence begins with a prepositional phrase, which is then followed by an independent clause.
By eating too much, you will feel sick.
In this sentence, the opening phrase “By eating too much” is a prepositional phrase because it begins with the preposition “by.” The phrase provides additional information about how or why the result occurs. The main clause that follows is “you will feel sick,” which contains the subject “you” and the verb phrase “will feel.”
Participial Phrase
A participial phrase is a group of words that begins with a participle (either a present participle or a past participle) and functions as an adjective.
Note that a verb in participial form can no longer function as a verb on its own. Instead, it serves as an adjective that modifies a noun. Here is an example sentence showing a participial form functioning as an adjective rather than as a verb.
That dog running around the park is mine.
You may notice that the participial phrase beginning with the present participle “running” functions as an adjective modifying the preceding noun “that dog.” It describes the state of the dog.
Some participial phrases can appear either at the beginning of a sentence or after a main clause (independent clause).
Let’s examine two sentences that use participial phrases in this way.
I gave my brother my toy, hoping to cheer him up.
In this sentence, the independent clause comes first, followed by the participial phrase “hoping to cheer him up.” This structure follows the rule that an independent clause may be followed by a modifying phrase separated by a comma. The participial phrase explains the purpose of the action.
Exhausted from the long flight, the travelers checked into the hotel immediately.
Here, the participial phrase appears at the beginning of the sentence. “Exhausted from the long flight” modifies “the travelers” and describes their condition. Although “exhausted” comes from a verb form, it does not function as the main verb of the sentence. The main verb is “checked.” The participial phrase simply adds descriptive information about the subject.
Combining an Independent Clause with Certain Phrases
We have seen the difference between a clause and a phrase.
| Involves subject and main verb | Can stand alone? | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent clause | Yes | Yes | The man dances on the floor. |
| Dependent clause | Yes | No | Because the man dances |
| Phrase | No | No | The man dancing on the floor |
Now, let’s examine some grammatical constructions that allow an independent clause and a phrase to be combined using a simple comma. Although not all phrases can be attached to an independent clause in this way, certain constructions are extremely useful. They allow you to form a long, informative, yet easy-to-follow sentence.
Independent Clause and Noun Phrase
You have probably encountered this construction before. In this structure, an independent clause presents an idea, followed by a noun phrase that renames or further explains it.
Many plants create energy by processing carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, a process known as photosynthesis.
In this sentence, the independent clause describes how plants create energy. The noun phrase “a process known as photosynthesis” renames the action described in the preceding independent clause. This type of noun phrase is called an appositive because it provides additional clarification about the preceding idea.
You can also use a conjunction to express a similar idea. However, doing so often makes the sentence longer and less professional.
Many plants create energy by processing carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, and this process is known as photosynthesis.
Although this sentence is grammatically correct, it sounds slightly more repetitive than the version using an appositive noun phrase. The appositive structure allows you to rename the idea more concisely, which is often preferred in formal writing.
Independent Clause and Prepositional Phrase
If you are already familiar with basic English grammar, you have probably used this structure many times. Consider the following example:
In 1983, I was born in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Although this is a common and useful construction, the grammatical principle behind it may not always be clearly recognized.
If you look closely at the sentence, you will notice that it combines a prepositional phrase and an independent clause, connected by a comma. The opening prepositional phrase “In 1983” functions as an modifier, providing information about time. The main clause “I was born in Battle Creek, Michigan” can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Because a prepositional phrase is not an independent clause, it can be attached to a complete sentence with a simple comma without causing a comma splice error.
Independent Clause and Participial Phrase
Among the three types of phrases we have discussed, the combination of an independent clause and a participial phrase is the most advanced construction. To use it properly, you must be familiar with the key rule governing this structure.
- A participial phrase can appear either at the beginning of a sentence or after an independent clause.
- The implied subject of the participial phrase must match the subject of the independent clause.
With these rules in mind, let’s examine how this construction works in a real sentence.
Swimming towards the shore, I saw a girl making a sand castle.
In this sentence, the opening is a participial phrase because it begins with the present participle “swimming.” The phrase is followed by a comma and an independent clause. Now, let’s check whether it satisfies the two rules mentioned above.
- The participial phrase appears at the beginning of the sentence, which is a grammatically acceptable position.
- The implied subject of the phrase and the subject of the main clause are both “I.”
Because both conditions are satisfied, the sentence is grammatically correct.
