10 Phrases and Clauses Examples with Answers! Phrases and clauses are fundamental concepts in English grammar, representing distinct groups of words with unique structural properties. In this lesson, we have provided clear definitions for each term, illuminating their respective functions within sentences. Additionally, we have offered ten illustrative examples of phrase-to-clause conversion, demonstrating how these linguistic constructs can be flexibly deployed to create nuanced and effective communication.
A Phrase
A phrase is a group of words that function together to convey meaning but does not contain both a subject and a verb. Phrases can be used as part of a sentence to modify nouns, verbs, or other parts of speech.
For example, “in the morning” is a phrase that modifies the verb “walk” in the sentence “I like to walk in the morning.”
A Clause
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence or be used as part of a larger sentence.
There are two main types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses.
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause depends on the presence of an independent clause to form a complete thought.
For example, “I ate dinner” is an independent clause that can stand alone as a sentence, while “because I was hungry” is a dependent clause that requires the presence of an independent clause to form a complete thought.
Phrases and Clauses Examples with Answers
Here are 10 examples of phrases and clauses:
1.
Phrase: on the table
Clause: The book is on the table.
Explanation: “On the table” is a prepositional phrase that modifies the location of the book in the sentence.
2.
Phrase: singing loudly
Clause: She was singing loudly.
Explanation: “Singing loudly” is a participial phrase that functions as an adjective to describe the subject of the sentence, “she.”
3.
Phrase: after the movie
Clause: We went out to eat after the movie ended.
Explanation: “After the movie” is a prepositional phrase that indicates when the action of the sentence occurred.
4.
Phrase: in the morning
Clause: I like to go for a run in the morning.
Explanation: “In the morning” is a prepositional phrase that modifies the verb “go,” indicating the time of day when the action takes place.
5.
Phrase: running out of time
Clause: We had to hurry because we were running out of time.
Explanation: “Running out of time” is a gerund phrase that acts as the subject of the dependent clause “we were running out of time.”
6.
Phrase: to the store
Clause: She drove to the store to buy some milk.
Explanation: “To the store” is an infinitive phrase that functions as an adverb to indicate the purpose of the action in the sentence.
7.
Phrase: with a broken arm
Clause: He couldn’t play basketball with a broken arm.
Explanation: “With a broken arm” is a prepositional phrase that modifies the subject of the sentence, indicating a condition that prevents him from playing basketball.
8.
Phrase: eating pizza
Clause: They were eating pizza when we arrived.
Explanation: “Eating pizza” is a gerund phrase that functions as the object of the verb “were,” indicating the action that the subjects were performing.
9.
Phrase: by the river
Clause: We went for a walk by the river.
Explanation: “By the river” is a prepositional phrase that modifies the verb “went,” indicating the location of the action in the sentence.
10.
Phrase: excited about the concert
Clause: She was excited about the concert that she had been waiting for.
Explanation: “Excited about the concert” is a participial phrase that functions as an adjective to describe the subject of the sentence, “she.” The clause “that she had been waiting for” is a dependent clause that modifies “concert,” indicating that it was a specific event that she had been anticipating.
Worksheet: Converting Phrases to Clauses
Directions: Each of the following sentences contains a phrase. Rewrite the sentence as a clause, modifying it as necessary to create a complete thought.
Example:
Phrase: in the park
Clause: We had a picnic in the park.
1.
Phrase: for the first time
Clause:
2.
Phrase: during the concert
Clause:
3.
Phrase: on the phone
Clause:
4.
Phrase: running late
Clause:
5.
Phrase: without hesitation
Clause:
6.
Phrase: after the rain stopped
Clause:
7.
Phrase: with a broken leg
Clause:
8.
Phrase: watching TV
Clause:
9.
Phrase: in the afternoon
Clause:
10.
Phrase: on the way to school
Clause:
Answers:
- He felt nervous for the first time in his life.
- We danced during the concert.
- She talked to her friend on the phone for an hour.
- He missed the meeting because he was running late.
- She jumped into the water without hesitation.
- We went for a walk after the rain stopped.
- He couldn’t walk with a broken leg.
- We spent the evening watching TV.
- We went for a hike in the afternoon.
- They saw a beautiful sunset on the way to school.
Related:
- Examples of Prepositional Phrases
- Sentences of Adverb Phrase
- Sentences of Verb Phrases
- Sentences of Adjective Phrases
