Untitled Document
Test Yourself
Phrases and Clauses
[Harbrace 1d, 1e, 1f]
Review
Practice Exercises
Introduction
Clauses [Harbrace 1e]
A clause is a group of related words
that includes a subject and a predicate.
An independent (or main) clause can
stand alone as a sentence.
A hostile crowd had gathered.
A dependent (or subordinate) clause cannot
stand alone; it must be connected to an independent clause.
The hostile crowd had gathered because the
suspect was released from custody.
A dependent clause can take the place of a
noun, an adjective, or an adverb in a sentence. Such a clause --
like an individual word or a phrase -- can expand a sentence.
Sentence Forms [Harbrace 1f]
A simple sentence is made up of only
one independent (main) clause.
The Rhine flows south through France.
Two complete sentences (independent or main
clauses) may be joined by a conjunction or a semicolon to form a compound
sentence.
For centuries Brittany was an independent
state, but now the area is part of France.
A dependent (or subordinate) clause connected
by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun to an independent
(or main) clause forms a complex sentence.
Although most rifle experts have 20/20 vision,
pistol experts are often very nearsighted.
A complex sentence that includes a compound
sentence forms a compound-complex sentence.
Most rifle experts, who must be licensed,
have 20/20 vision; pistol experts are often very nearsighted.
Phrases [Harbrace 1d]
A phrase is only part of a sentence
because it does not have both a subject and a predicate.
The next few screens illustrate different
types of phrases. The different types of phrases perform different
functions in sentences:
- noun phrase = noun + modifiers
It acts as a noun.
The beautiful young woman lived
alone in the old house.
It acts as an adjective or adverb.
Her two cats and three dogs lived with
her in the main part of the house.
- absolute phrase = noun or pronoun
+ participial phrase, or sometimes infinitive phrase
It acts as a modifier of the whole sentence
in which it appears.
The meeting having ended, we
made plans for lunch.
- appositive = noun or noun phrase
that identifies or renames what it modifies and is placed very
near -- usually following -- the noun it modifies.
Consequently, she loved her animals, her
devoted friends and companions.
- verbal phrase = phrase built from
verbals, forms of verbs that cannot stand alone
It acts as a noun or modifier.
Verbals may act as single-word modifiers
or, with related words, as phrases. Here are the three types
of verbals:
1) gerund = -ing form
of verb
It acts as a noun.
The neighbours, however, loved gossiping.
2) infinitive = to +
base verb
It acts as an adjective, adverb, or
noun.
To speculate about her past was
as exciting as predicting her future.
3) participle = present or past
participle
It acts as an adjective.
The museum, established in 1980,
is funded by a private foundation.
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