Identify the phrases and clauses in the following sentences.

A phrase is a group of words that makes some sense, but not complete sense. Phrases usually begin with prepositions. Examples are: under the bed, across the road, between A and B, in the pond etc. A phrase will never have a finite verb. However, it may contain non-finite verbs like infinitives, gerunds or participles.

A clause is a group of words that makes complete sense. A clause has a subject and a predicate of its own. A clause will always have a finite verb. It may also contain an infinitive, gerund or participle. Examples of clauses are given below.

• If that was your intention
• However hard you may try
• We cannot afford to spend

How to identify whether a group of words is a clause or phrase

The first thing you need to check is whether the given group of words has a finite verb or not. A clause will always have a finite verb. Note that infinitives and ing forms are not finite verbs.

When used alone, ing forms are non-finites. However, they become finite, when they are used with is, am, are, was or were, has, have or had.

Likewise, when used alone past participles are non-finites but they become finite when they are used with has, have, had, is, am, are, was or were.

Worksheet 1

State whether the underlined groups of words are phrases or clauses.

1. It was an act of kindness.

2. The sun moves around the earth.

3. He sat under the tree.

4. Put the books on the table.

5. She looked out of the window.

6. I know a man who works in Merchant Navy.

7. He wears a chain which is made of gold.

8. We cannot survive without food or water.

9. The man whom I met on the street was a traveller.

10. She recognized him at once.

11. I don’t know what he did with that money.

12. We cannot go while it is raining.

13. Running fast, he caught the train.

14. Determined to find his brother, he went to Mumbai.

15. Hungry and tired, he sat under a tree.

16. Having waited for hours, I went home.

17. Though you are my best friend, I cannot share every secret with you.

18. I don’t know why she looks upset.

19. Where have you been all this while?

20. We saw trees laden with fruits.

Answers

1. It was an act of kindness. (Phrase)

2. The sun moves around the earth. (Phrase)

3. He sat under the tree. (Phrase)

4. Put the books on the table. (Phrase)

5. She looked out of the window. (Phrase)

6. I know a man who works in Merchant Navy. (Clause)

7. He wears a chain which is made of gold. (Clause)

8. We cannot survive without food or water. (Phrase)

9. The man whom I met on the street was a traveller. (Clause)

10. She recognized him at once. (Phrase)

11. I don’t know what he did with that money. (Clause)

12. We cannot go while it is raining. (Clause)

13. Running fast, he caught the train. (Phrase)

14. Determined to find his brother, he went to Mumbai. (Phrase)

15. Hungry and tired, he sat under a tree. (Phrase)

16. Having waited for hours, I went home. (Phrase)

17. Though you are my best friend, I cannot share every secret with you. (Clause)

18. I don’t know why she looks upset. (Clause)

19. Where have you been all this while? (Phrase)

20. We saw trees laden with fruits. (Phrase)

Worksheet 2

State whether the underlined groups of words are clauses or phrases.

1. She was here the whole day.

2. If you want to go, you can.

3. It takes a lot of time to learn a second language.

4. She only has to say what she wants.

5. I did not want to offend him.

6. I am sorry if I hurt you.

7. He didn’t dare to open his mouth.

8. You can stay with me as long as you want.

9. I do not want you to quit so soon.

10. His health is now a cause for concern.

11. I will not tolerate this ever again.

12. You can try again if you want.

13. Having delivered the message, he departed.

14. Cutting through the padlock, they entered the house.

15. He was yelling at the top of his voice.

16. I could not work because there was too much noise.

17. I think we should trust him.

18. Despite the failures, she did not lose heart.

19. I will wait until you get ready.

20. They have been waiting for hours.

Answers

1. She was here the whole day. (Phrase)

2. If you want to go, you can. (Clause – can is a finite verb)

3. It takes a lot of time to learn a second language. (Phrase)

4. She only has to say what she wants. (Clause – wants is a finite verb)

5. I did not want to offend him. (Clause – did not want is a finite verb)

6. I am sorry if I hurt you. (Clause)

7. He didn’t dare to open his mouth. (Phrase)

8. You can stay with me as long as you want. (Clause)

9. I do not want you to quit so soon. (Phrase)

10. His health is now a cause for concern. (Phrase)

11. I will not tolerate this ever again. (Clause)

12. You can try again if you want. (Clause)

13. Having delivered the message, he departed. (Phrase – having delivered is a perfect participle; it is a non-finite verb)

14. Cutting through the padlock, they entered the house. (Phrase)

15. He was yelling at the top of his voice. (Phrase)

16. I could not work because there was too much noise. (Clause – could not work is a finite verb)

17. I think we should trust him. (Clause – think is a finite verb)

18. Despite the failures, she did not lose heart. (Phrase – no finite verb here)

19. I will wait until you get ready. (Clause – get is a finite verb)

20. They have been waiting for hours. (Clause – have been waiting is a finite verb)