What is the difference among a phrase, sentence independent and dependent clauses?

What is the difference among a phrase, sentence independent and dependent clauses?

A group of words that does not have a subject- verb combination is called a phrase. Here, absence of subject- verb combination is vital. A phrase can have a subject or a verb, but it won't have both simultaneously.

Let's take some examples:

1. The brown dog.                                       ( An adjective phrase)
2. On the table.                                            ( A prepositional phrase)
3. Has been a strong guy.                          ( A verb phrase)
4. Very beautiful.                                         ( An adverbial phrase)
5. Smoking a cigarette.                               ( A gerund phrase)
6. To look at the sky.                                   ( An infinitive phrase)
7. A broken car.                                            ( A participle phrase)

Note, In phrase the subject and action verb never come together

A clause

A group of words that has a subject- verb combination is known as a clause. Here, the presence of subject- verb combination is important. If it doesn't have a subject- verb combination, it jumps into the category of phrases, hence, will not be called a clause anymore.

Let's go through some examples for better understanding.

1. She has a dog.
2. I love making pizza.

Now, let's talk about the categories of clauses. Clauses, majority are segregated into two categories: 1. Independent clause 2. Dependent clause

An Independent clause

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone and gives a complete idea on its own. An independent clause is a sentence.

Let's go through some examples.

Examples:

1. I love pizzas.
2. He's a man of his words.
3. Julie never lies to me.
4. We are going to Australia next week.

Note, an independent clause is a sentence.

A dependent clause

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone on its own and depends on some other parts to render a complete idea or meaning. A dependent clause doesn't have the capability to become a sentence. It uses subordinating conjunctions in them.

Examples:

1.      Since it was Sunday.

2.    As if i was stealing the mobile phone.

3.    Even if I fail the examination.

4.    Because Max wanted to marry Rita.

Examples:

1. Because I woke up late this morning…             (what happened?)
2. When we arrived in class…                              (what occurred?)
3. If my neighbor does not pay his rent on time… (what will happen?)

Dependent clauses raise doubts in the mind of the readers. They can only render a comprehensive idea if brought together with independent clauses. Let's go through these examples one more time after conjugating them up with independent clauses.

1. I didn't go to college since it was Sunday.
2. They caught me as if I was stealing the mobile phone.
3. My father will beat the hell out of me if I fail the examination.

  

A Sentence

A sentence is a group words that give a complete meaning on its own. It is also known as an independent clause.

Examples:

1. I love making people laugh.
2. You work hard.
3. This is my dog.

Summary:

1.      Every sentence is a clause, but every clause isn't a sentence. For a clause to be called a sentence, it has to be an independent clause.

2.    A dependent clause isn't a sentence.

3.    An independent clause is a sentence.

4.    Both sentences and clauses have many phrases in them.

5.     I hope that it helps to understand the difference between them