Clause and Phrase Examples: Lists, Meaning, Types and Differences 

Clause and Phrase Examples: It is essential to understand the contrast between phrases and clauses. A phrase is a group of words that may have a noun or a verb (not both), though it does not have the noun doing the verb. On the other hand, the clause is a set or group of words and includes both a verb and a noun, with the noun doing the verb. They also determine the sort of punctuation that you use. In the blog, students will get to have a clear understanding of clauses and phrases with the help of examples.

17+ Clause and Phrase Examples

Listed below are examples of phrases and clauses:

1. Tired from the long walk (describes how tried)
2. The tasty pastry on the table (describes the pastry)
3. He hopeful smile (describes the smile)
4. The woman with a cane (describes the woman)
5. They have been waiting patiently (describes the waiting)
6. The tasty smell of pasta (describes the smell)
7. Will be travelling to Europe (describes the travelling)
8. Sang a beautiful melody (describes the melody)
9. His favourite book on the shelf (describes the book)
10. Silently crept through the forest (describes how crept)
11. Very enthusiastic about the trip (describes how enthusiastic)
12. More than grateful for your help (describes how grateful)
13. Covered in colourful flowers (describes how covered)
14. Overjoyed about the report (describes how overjoyed)
15. Dressed in a bright yellow jacket (describes how dressed)
16. Once upon a time in a faraway land (describe when and where)
17. In a fit of laugh (describe how)
18. Because of their kindness (describes why)

What are Phrases? 

Phrases are small groups of words that act together to add definition to a sentence, like building blocks! They do not make sense on their own, but they help us understand the bigger picture. There are four types of phrases, listed below:

Types of Phrases with Examples

There are various types of phrases depending on what job they do:

Noun Phrases

Describe a person, place, or thing. Example: the tall tree (describes the plant)

Verb phrases

Explain what’s happening. Instance: was driving quickly (describes the driving)

Adjective Phrases

Tell more about a noun or pronoun. Example: very happy (describes how happy)

Adverb Phrases

Describe how, when, where, or why something occurs. Example: in the evening (describe when)

Also Read: Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

What are Clauses? 

Clauses are like mini-sentences that help build more significant sentences. They are mainly a group of words that contain a subject and as well as a finite verb.

Types of Clauses

There are five types of clauses, which are: 

Independent Clauses

• An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought.
• Example: “She went to the store.”

Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause)

• A dependent clause cannot stand independently as a complete sentence because it does not describe a complete thought.
• Example: “Because he was hungry, he went to buy food.”
• (“Because he was hungry” is the dependent clause, and “he went to buy food” is the independent clause.)

 Adjective Clause (Relative Clause)

• An adjective clause acts to explain or provide more details about a noun or pronoun in the sentence. It usually begins with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative adverb (when, where, why).
• Example: “The novel that he bought the day after tomorrow is on the table.”

Adverbial Clause

• An adverbial clause roles to change a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It usually answers questions such as how, when, where, why, to what extent, or under what circumstances.
• Example: “She ran as fast as she could.”

Noun Clause:

• A noun clause acts as a noun within a sentence. It can be a subject, an object, or a complement.
• Example: “What she said made him upset.”

List of Phrases Picture Examples

Phrases VS Clause: What’s the Difference? 

The major differences between a clause and a phrase are listed down:

Clauses	Phrases
Clause is a set of words that contains both a subject and a verb.	Whereas, a phrase is a group of words that functions as a unit that does not include both a subject and a verb.
It can be complete sentences on their own, representing a complete thought.	It adds facts to sentences but cannot stand alone as entire thoughts.
There are two types of clauses: Independent clause, dependent clause	There are four types of phrases: Noun phrase, Verb phrase, Adjective phrase, and Adverb phrase.
Example: The baker kneaded the dough.	Example: The happy girl (describes the girl)

Read more: What is the Difference Between Phrases and Idioms

Practise Exercise on Clause and Phrase

Question: Identify the group of words whether they are phrases or clauses.

1. “Running through the garden.”
2. “While I was napping.”
3. “Beneath the oak tree.”
4. “After he finished her holiday homework.”
5. “Eating breakfast every morning.”
6. “Along the riverbank.”
7. “When the sun sets.”
8. “In the middle of the street.”
9. “Because he loves to dance.”
10. “Since it was raining heavily.”

Answers

1. Answer: It’s a phrase
2. Answer: It’s a clause
3. Answer: It’s a phrase
4. Answer: It’s a clause
5. Answer: It’s a phrase
6. Answer: It’s a phrase
7. Answer: It’s a clause
8. Answer: It’s a phrase
9. Answer: It’s a clause
10.  Answer: It’s a clause

Related Reads on English Grammar

5 Important Types of Phrases with Definitions & Examples	11+ Useful Phrases for Group Discussion in the English
50+ Examples of Phrase Preposition	55+ Phrases with Meaning to Boost Your Vocabulary
35+ Common Phrases for Daily Use You Should Know!	What are Clauses: Definition, Types, Examples, & Exercise

FAQs

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