Master the difference between phrases and clauses. Learn noun, adjective, and adverb clauses, their functions, and how to identify them in sentences.
✅ Recommended for: Class 7-8 (Foundation) | Class 9-10 (Advanced)
1. Phrases vs Clauses - The Basic Difference
Phrase: A group of words that makes some sense but NOT complete sense. Does NOT contain a subject and predicate combination.
Clause: A group of words that contains BOTH a subject and a predicate. Can be independent (main) or dependent (subordinate).
| Type | Definition | Example | Key Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phrase | Group of words without subject-verb combination | in the morning a blue car walking slowly |
Cannot stand alone as a sentence |
| Clause | Group of words with subject AND verb | when I was young because she was tired the book that I read |
Has subject doing/being something |
| Main/Independent Clause | Can stand alone as complete sentence | She completed her homework. The sun was shining brightly. |
Complete thought, independent |
| Subordinate/Dependent Clause | Cannot stand alone, depends on main clause | when she finished her homework because the sun was shining |
Incomplete thought, needs main clause |
2. Types of Phrases
| Phrase Type | Function | Examples | Key Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun Phrase | Acts as a noun in sentence | The tall building My best friend A bunch of flowers |
Centers around a noun |
| Adjective Phrase | Acts as an adjective | full of joy with blue eyes extremely difficult |
Modifies a noun |
| Adverb Phrase | Acts as an adverb | very quickly in the morning with great care |
Modifies verb, adjective, adverb |
| Prepositional Phrase | Begins with preposition | on the table under the bridge after the party |
Preposition + object |
| Verb Phrase | Main verb + helping verbs | has been working will have finished might be coming |
Shows tense, mood, aspect |
3. Noun Clauses - The 'What' Clauses
| Function | Starter Words | Examples | Position in Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject of Verb | that, what, whether, why, how | What she said surprised everyone. That he is honest is known to all. |
Beginning of sentence |
| Object of Verb | that, what, if, whether | I know what you want. She believes that he will come. |
After main verb |
| Object of Preposition | what, whatever, whoever | Think about what you did. It depends on whether he agrees. |
After preposition |
| Complement | that, what, why | The truth is that he lied. My worry is whether she's safe. |
After linking verbs |
| In Apposition | that | The fact that he failed shocked us. The news that she won is true. |
After noun it explains |
4. Adjective Clauses - The 'Which/That' Clauses
| Type | Relative Pronouns | Examples | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defining/Restrictive | that, which, who, whom, whose | The book that I borrowed is interesting. The man who called you is my uncle. |
Essential information, no commas |
| Non-defining/Non-restrictive | which, who, whom, whose | My car, which is red, needs repair. Mr. Sharma, who teaches us, is retiring. |
Extra information, with commas |
| With Prepositions | whom, which | The woman to whom I spoke was helpful. The house in which I live is old. |
Formal structure |
| Reduced Adjective Clauses | — (participles) | The boy playing cricket is my brother. The book written by him is famous. |
No relative pronoun + verb-ing/verb-3 |
5. Adverb Clauses - The 'When/Because' Clauses
| Type | Subordinating Conjunctions | Examples | Answers the Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | when, while, before, after, since, until, as soon as | When the bell rang, students rushed out. I will wait until you return. |
When? How long? |
| Place | where, wherever | Stay where you are. He goes wherever his work takes him. |
Where? |
| Reason/Cause | because, since, as | She cried because she was hurt. Since it's raining, we'll stay indoors. |
Why? |
| Condition | if, unless, provided that | If you work hard, you will succeed. I won't go unless you come with me. |
On what condition? |
| Purpose | so that, in order that | She studied hard so that she could pass. He spoke slowly in order that everyone could understand. |
For what purpose? |
| Result/Consequence | so...that, such...that | He was so tired that he fell asleep. It was such a hot day that we stayed indoors. |
With what result? |
| Concession/Contrast | although, though, even though | Although it was raining, we went out. She smiled though she was sad. |
Despite what? |
| Comparison | as...as, than | She is as tall as her brother is. He runs faster than I do. |
Compared to what? |
6. Quick Identification Guide
| Clause Type | Ask Yourself | Key Markers | Example Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun Clause | Can it be replaced with 'it' or 'something'? | that, what, whether, if, why, how | I know what you mean. (I know something.) |
| Adjective Clause | Which one? What kind of? | who, which, that, whose, whom | The book that you gave me is great. (Which book?) |
| Adverb Clause | When? Where? Why? How? Under what condition? | when, where, because, if, although, as | She left when the bell rang. (When did she leave?) |
| Phrase | Does it have subject+verb? Can it stand alone? | No subject-verb pair | After the meeting, we left. (No subject+verb) |
🎯 Phrases & Clauses Challenge
Identify whether the underlined group of words is a phrase or clause, and what type.
1. The girl with blue eyes is my sister.
Reason: No subject-verb pair. Modifies the noun 'girl'.
2. I know what you want.
Reason: Has subject 'you' and verb 'want'. Acts as object of 'know'.
3. She left when the meeting ended.
Reason: Has subject 'meeting' and verb 'ended'. Answers 'when did she leave?'
4. The book that I borrowed is interesting.
Reason: Has subject 'I' and verb 'borrowed'. Modifies the noun 'book'.
5. Walking in the park is refreshing.
Reason: No finite verb. 'Walking' is a gerund, not a finite verb.
8. Memory Aids & Common Errors
Quick Tests:
• Phrase Test: Does it have a subject doing/being something? NO → Phrase
• Clause Test: Does it have subject+verb? YES → Clause
• Noun Clause Test: Can you replace it with 'it' or 'something'?
• Adjective Clause Test: Does it answer 'which one?' or 'what kind of?'
• Adverb Clause Test: Does it answer when, where, why, how, or under what condition?
Common Errors:
1. Comma with Adjective Clauses: Non-defining needs commas, defining doesn't
My brother, who lives in Delhi, is a doctor. (non-defining)
The boy who won the prize is my friend. (defining)
2. That vs Which: 'That' for defining clauses, 'Which' for non-defining
3. Dangling Modifiers: Phrases must clearly modify the right noun
Incorrect: Running down the street, the bus left. (Who was running?)
📝 Practice Phrases & Clauses
Master phrases and clauses with our comprehensive worksheet!
Go to Phrases & Clauses WorksheetIncludes answer key • Identification • Phrase/Clause types • Sentence analysis • Error correction
