PHRASES AND CLAUSES - English grammar

PHRASES AND CLAUSES

A Phrase is a group of words that makes sense, but not complete sense. It has no subject and predicate.

A  Phrase constitutes a single element in a sentence. A phrase expresses an idea. The words in a phrase are closely related to each other, and the phrase functions as a whole in the sentence.

Eg: 1. He left us in the morning

2. They returned at sunset. (words which are in Italic & Red color is Phrase)

Activity 1

Pick out the phrase in the following sentences:

1. Rajendra is a person of considerable renown.
2. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
3. It is of no use.
4. Nothing can live on the moon.
5. Arun comes into the garden.
6. The boys went sailing over the sea.
7. Honest is written in his face.
8. Raghul sat for a while on the bank.
9. The gun went off with a loud report.
10. She stood on the bridge at midnight.
11. To the southward stretched the desert.
12. Shalini and Subodh fought to the last man.
13. The shoe is pressing on my toe.
14. Keep him at arm’s length.
15. Make yourself at home.
16. It must be done at any cost.
17. Sindhu has painted her in her proper colour.
18. Anish has his finger on the pulse of the nation.
19. The students shouted in the class at the top of their voice.
20. The sun rises in the east.
21. Haran arrived at the moment.
22. Priya Sri hopes that Nithi will come at a very early day.
23. Amit is ignorant to a proverb.
24. The wind blew with great violence.
25. Horses prefer living in dark stables.

Aswers to the above Activity:

1. Rajendra is a person of considerable renown.
2. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
3. It is of no use.
4. Nothing can live on the moon.
5. Arun comes into the garden.
6. The boys went sailing over the sea.
7. Honest is written in his face.
8. Raghul sat for a while on the bank.
9. The gun went off with a loud report.
10. She stood on the bridge at midnight.
11. To the southward stretched the desert.
12. Shalini and Subodh fought to the last man.
13. The shoe is pressing on my toe.
14. Keep him at arm’s length.
15. Make yourself at home.
16. It must be done at any cost.
17. Sindhu has painted her in her proper colour.
18. Anish has his finger on the pulse of the nation.
19. The students shouted in the class at the top of their voice.
20. The sun rises in the east.
21. Haran arrived at the moment.
22. Priya Sri hopes that Nithi will come at a very early day.
23. Amit is ignorant to a proverb.
24. The wind blew with great violence.
25. Horses prefer living in dark stables.

Clause

A Clause is a group of words that forms part of a larger sentence and has subject and a predicate of its own.

Eg: renu likes a story which has a moral in it.

      I expected that I would win the match. .  (words which are in Italic & Red color is Clause)

Pick out the clauses in the following sentences:

1. They asked her where she was going.
2. Kavi reads a novel which she likes.
3. Every parent expects that their children can get good marks.
4. The boys go home when school is over.
5. Kumaran expects that he will win the match.
6. No one knows where the thief hides.
7. If he works hard he can win the match.
8. We shall write a story if we have creative ideas.
9. The mice will play when the cat is away.
10. God helps those who help themselves.
11. This is the house where I was born.
12.  He doesn’t know what his sister wants.
13. I know who is to blame.
14. This is the bag which I wish to buy.
15. Because you have done this, I shall punish you.
16. When the sun rises, he will start from home.
17. The thief crept as a jackal does.
18. Deepu worked so hard that she succeeded.
19. They have come so that they may help her.
20. As soon as I saw the cobra I ran away.
21. When he had uttered these words he sat down.
22. This exercise is so difficult that I cannot do it.
23. As Bindhu was sick she remained at home.
24. The boy was punished as he deserved.
25. Somu refuses to work whatever Sunder may say.

Answers to the above activity

1. They asked her where she was going.
2. Kavi reads a novel which she likes.
3. Every parent expects that their children can get good marks.
4. The boys go home when school is over.
5. Kumaran expects that he will win the match.
6. No one knows where the thief hides.
7. If he works hard he can win the match.
8. We shall write a story if we have creative ideas.
9. The mice will play when the cat is away.
10. God helps those who help themselves.
11. This is the house where I was born.
12. He doesn’t know what his sister wants.
13. I know who is to blame.
14. This is the bag which I wish to buy.
15. Because you have done this, I shall punish you.
16. When the sun rises, he will start from home.
17. The thief crept as a jackal does.
18. Deepu worked so hard that she succeeded.
19. They have come so that they may help her.
20. As soon as I saw the cobra I ran away.
21. When he had uttered these words he sat down.
22. This exercise is so difficult that I cannot do it.
23. As Bindhu was sick she remained at home.
24. The boy was punished as he deserved.
25. Somu refuses to work whatever Sunder may say.