Phrases And Clauses Worksheet

Examine the groups of words in italics in the following sentences :

1. The sun sets in the west.
2. I must start in a short time.
3. I shot an arrow into the air.
4. It lies beneath my window.

These groups of words make sense, but not complete sense. They have no Subject or Predicate of their own. Such groups of words are called Phrases.

A group of words that makes sense, but not complete sense, is called a Phrase.

Examine the group of words in italics in the following sentences :

1. God helps those who help themselves.
2. This is the beggar whom we saw yesterday.
3. I know what she wants.

Here who help themselves is a sentence, because it has a Subject (who) and a Predicate (help themselves). Similarly, whom we saw yesterday is a sentence, having a Subject (we) and a Predicate (saw yesterday). What she wants is also a sentence, because it has a Subject (she) and a Predicate (wants). Such groups of words are called Clauses.

A group of words which forms part of a larger sentence, and contains a Subject and a Predicate, is called a Clause.

Exercise: Say whether the groups of words in italics in the following sentences are Phrases or Clauses

1. This is the house where he lived.
2. Make hay while the sun shines.
3. Strike the iron while it is hot.
4. Show me how to do it.
5. It was a scene of great beauty.
6. He did it for my sake.
7. He worked for three hours.
8. The snow has fallen without a sound.
9. People who are selfish are disliked by all.
10. Her virtue won her respect.