A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that belong together; a phrase is a group of words without that subject-verb pair. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause and a phrase cannot.
Many people wonder what clauses and phrases are and how to tell them apart. Knowing the difference helps you build complete sentences and avoid using either of them incorrectly. This article explains both, with examples.
All about clauses
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb. There are two main types of clauses.
An independent clause expresses a complete idea or thought. Because of that, it can stand by itself as a sentence. A dependent clause, also called a subordinate clause, expresses only part of a thought. It cannot stand on its own and needs an independent clause to complete the sentence.
Dependent clauses often begin with words such as because, since, if, when, and although (see all about conjunctions), or with who, which, and that. By the job they do in a sentence, they are noun clauses, adjective (or relative) clauses, and adverbial clauses. Relative clauses can in turn be defining or non-defining.
Here are some independent clauses, which can stand on their own:
- He drives well.
- I am really happy today.
- Hector loves to write at night.
Unlike independent clauses, dependent clauses cannot stand alone. Even though they contain a subject and a verb, they do not express a complete thought. Remember that a dependent clause on its own is never a sentence.
Here are some dependent clauses:
- When Hector writes at night (what happens when he does? You do not know, so the thought is incomplete.)
- Since I am feeling so happy today
- When they come over to my house
- Although Angela wrote something
As you can see, each of these dependent clauses needs more information before you know what happens. Add an independent clause, and the thought is complete: When they come over to my house, we play cards.
All about phrases
A phrase is a group of two or more words that expresses an idea but has no subject-verb pair. It has no subject doing a verb, and it does not form a predicate.
A phrase can still contain a noun or a verb, just not the two working together as subject and verb. Like a dependent clause, a phrase can never stand alone as a sentence. Instead, phrases sit inside clauses, both dependent and independent ones, and work as one part of them. Common types of phrases are noun, verb, prepositional, infinitive, gerund, participial, appositive, and absolute phrases.
Here are some examples:
- late at night
- every day after school
- while wearing the blue shirt
- a party full of dancers
- running after the cat
None of these phrases has a subject doing a verb. Each needs something else to make it complete, because a phrase does not express a complete thought on its own. Put it into a clause and it works: Hector loves to write late at night.
How to tell them apart
| Group of words | Subject and verb | Can stand alone |
|---|---|---|
| Independent clause | yes | yes |
| Dependent clause | yes | no |
| Phrase | no | no |
Keep this in mind when you write or give a speech. A dependent clause or a phrase used as if it were a sentence is a fragment, and it can leave your audience confused or waiting for more. To check your sentences for grammar and spelling mistakes, paste them into the Spell Checker.