A clause is a group of words containing a subject and verb. An independent clause is a simple sentence. It can stand on its own.
Examples:
- She is hungry.
- I am feeling well today.
A dependent clause cannot stand on its own. It needs an independent clause to complete a sentence. Dependent clauses often begin with such words as although, since, if, when, and because.
Examples:
- Although she is hungry …
- Whoever is hungry …
- Because I am feeling well …
|
Dependent |
Independent |
|
Although she is hungry, |
she will give him some of her food. |
|
Whatever they decide, |
I will agree to. |
A phrase is a group of words without a subject-verb component, used as a single part of speech.
Examples:
- Best friend (noun phrase)
- Needing help (adjective phrase)
- With the blue shirt (prepositional adjective phrase)
- For twenty days (prepositional adverb phrase)