CLAUSES AND PHRASES

Both clauses and phrases are the basic components of writing a sentence. When
combined with other parts of speech and other parts of sentences, clauses and phrases to
help build a complex system in which your words convey the meaning. Understanding the
difference between the two is very important to write grammatically correct sentences and
well constructed.
A. Clauses
Adverb clauses are clauses that function as adverbs. Adverb clause is a dependent
clause (clause that can not stand alone) that indicates how, when, where, why, or under
what conditions something to happen or even could be to express the contrast (the
difference). Adverb clause begins with a subordinating conjunction belonging to the
conjunctions.
A clause is a group of words that can act as a sentence, but not necessarily a complete
sentence itself. All clause contains a subject and a predicate, which always contain a verb.
A predicate says something about what the subject did. Some clause can stand alone as a
complete sentence; others can not. Below are some examples of clauses:
Example :
1. She danced. (She is the subject. Danced is both the verb and the predicate.
Even though the clause is only two words, it functions as an independent clause
because it can stand alone as a sentence.)
2. While she is dancing, the audience cannot tear its eyes off her.
In Example 2, there are actually two clauses. The first while she is dancing
contains a subject (she) and a predicate (is dancing), but it cannot stand alone as a
sentence, making it a dependent clause. The second clause, the audience cannot
tear its eyes off her, contains a subject (the audience) and a predicate (tear its eyes
off her), and because it can function as a sentence on its own, it is an independent
clause.
Sentences Adverb Clauses :
1. Adverb Clause of Time
Adverb Clause of Time Is the adverb clause stating the time. To demonstrate an
adverb clause of time we can use subordinating conjunctions: after, as long as, as
soon as, before, since, until, when, whenever, while.
Example :
a.
b.
c.
d.

When I was reading an English book, my friend came.

Ill tell you as soon as I know.
Before I played basketball, I was a soccer player.
The coach met with her players after the game was over ect.

2. Adverb Clause of Place

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Adverb Clause of Place Is the adverb clause stating the place, we can use the
subordinating conjunctions: where, wherever, anywhere, everywhere.
Example :
a. You may go wherever you like.
b. Wherever you are, Ill be able to find you.
c. Anywhere you go, sports stars are national heroes.
d. Etc.
3. Adverb Clause of Reason
Adverb Clause of Reason Is the adverb clause stating the reason, we can use the
subordinating conjunctions: as, because, since.
Example :
a. Apin doesnt go to school because she is sick.
b. Since its raining so heavily, I cant go out.
c. He was unable to play in the final games as he had hurt his ankle.
d. Etc.
4. Adverb Clause of Manner
Adverb Clause of Manner Is the adverb clause stating way.
Example :
a. Do as I ask you to do.
5. Adverb Clause of Contrast/ Concession
Adverb Clause of Contrast/ Concession Is the adverb clause that states the
difference or disagreement. We can use the subordinating conjunctions :
although, even though, though, while, whereas. to show an adverb clause of
contrast.
Example :
a. He is still poor although he has worked so hard.
b. Even though I dont have much money, I will try to help him.
c. They won the game, though they didnt really deserve the victory.
d. Etc.
6. Adverb Clause of Condition
Adverb Clause of Condition Is the adverb clause that states the terms, we can use
the subordinating conjunctions: if, even if, only if, unless.
Example :
a. Youll succeed, if you do your best.
b. If I were a bird, I would fly.
c. You wont be rich unless you work hard.
d. You will be comfortable inside the house even if its cold and raining
outside.
e. Etc.
7. Adverb Clause of Result
Adverb Clause of Result Is the adverb clause that states the effect.
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Example :
a. She is so short that she cant become a stewardess.
b. She studies so hard that she is successful in her study.
8. Adverb Clause of Purpose
Adverb Clause of Purpose is the adverb clause stating the purpose.
Example :
a. Santi takes a computer lesson in order that she can get a job easily.
b. People eat nutritious food so that they will keep healthy.
9. Adverb Clause of Comparison
Adverb Clause of Comparison is the adverb clause stating comparison.
Example :
a. Johan can speak English as fluently as his teacher.
b. An elephant is stronger than a rabbit.
B. Phrases
A phrase is a group of two or more words that does not have the subject and verb
combination and does not form a predicate. It can contain a noun or a verb, but does not
have a subject or predicate. Essentially, a phrase provides some sort of additional
information or provides more context to the sentences you write. A phrase can never stand
alone as a sentence; however, a phrase can nestle itself inside clauses that are either
complete sentences on their own or ones that are dependent on the rest of the sentence.
When a phrase is within a clause, it functions as a part of speech. Below are a few
examples of a phrase:
Example :
1. The dance was held at the reception hall. (At the reception hall is a prepositional
phrase. It does not have a subject or predicate, and it cannot stand alone as a
sentence.)
Example 2 revisited: While she is dancing, the audience cannot tear its eyes off
her.
In Example 2 revisited, off her is a prepositional phrase that is nestled within
the independent clause identified earlier. It does not contain a subject/predicate,
nor can it stand alone as a sentence.
Understanding the difference It is vital to understand the main differences between
clauses and phrases to ensure your writing is clear in both construction and context. If you
are unsure whether a group of words is a clause or phrase, break down the words into the
parts of speech to help you decide. If there is a subject and a verb with a predicate, it is a
clause. If there is a noun but no verb or a verb but no noun and does not have a predicate,
it is a phrase. Always keep in mind that sometimes phrases are built into clauses.
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Phrases :
A. Noun Phrase
Noun Phrase is between noun phrases (pronoun or number) and one or more
modifier (c / determiner, adjective, participle).
1. Example :
My book
The next page
Someone special
2. Sentence phrase :
Are you waiting someone special ?
B. Adjective phrase
Adjective phrase is a phrase that consists of an adjective and a modifier,
determiner, and / or intensifier.
1. Example :
Angry with you
Very beautiful
2. Sentence phrase:
Never have I been angry with you
C. Adverb phrase
Adverb phrase an adverb phrase consisting of the qualifier (c / too, very, so) or in
the form of prepositional phrase or infinitive phrase.
1. Example :
Very good
During the hurricane
2. Sentence phrase :
The people couldnt do anything during the hurricane

D. Prepositional phrase
Prepositional pharase is a combination of the preposition with the object and
functions as an adverb.
1. Example :
At school
Because of rain
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 Between you and me

2. Sentences phrase :
There is distance between you and me
E. Infinitive phrase
Infinitive phrase a combination of the infinitive and the object, which serves as a
noun, adjective, or adverb.
1. Example :
To run through teh rain
To call him
To hear the news
2. Sentence phrase
The best time to call him is at night
F. Gerund phrase
Gerund phrase consists of the gerund and the modifier and / or noun (s), pronouns
(s), or noun phrase, where the functioning as a noun.
1. Example :
His singing
Getting the best score
Giving bribes to win the election
2. Sentence phrase :
He should feel ashamed for giving bribes to win the election

G. Principal phrase
Participial phrase is a combination of the participle (present or past participle)
with modifier and / or complement.
Its function as a verb [along the auxiliary form of progressive, perfect
(continuous), and passive voice] or adjective.
1. Examlpe :
Playing basketball
Being parked there
Working in my room
2. Sentence phrase
Working in my room, I didnt let someone else to disturb
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H. Appositive phrase
Appositive phrase such as noun phrase, gerund phrase, or infinitive phrase that
describes a noun or pronoun serves another.
1. Example :
A foremost scientist
The best-selling car in indonesia
Sailing across the ocean
2. Sentence phrase :
His hobby, sailing across teh ocean, takes a lot of time
I. Absolute phrase
Absolute is a combination of a noun phrase / pronoun and participle with or
without modifier. Its function is to explain the independent clause separated by
commas.
1. Example :
His hands tugging on his mothers shirttail
2. Sentence phrase :
His hands tugging on his mothers shirttail, the little boy asked his mother
to buy a toy.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Vehovar, Vasja, Zenel Batagelj, and Katja Lozar. 1999. Language as a barrier. Internet
Society Proceedings. Witmer, Diane F., and Sandra Lee Katzman.
1997. On-line smiles: does gender make a difference in the use of graphic accents?
Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 2(4). Paccagnella, Luciano. 1997.
Getting the seats of your pants dirty: strategies for ethnographic research on virtual
communication. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication.

<http//www.eng/grammer.org/jcmc/vol3/issue1/paccagnella. See
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internet.html#sthash.5naqc3BB.dpuf.