Heather Baxter, BSc (Elementary Education and Teaching)|
K-12 English Expert
Review Board Member
Heather is an educator, with four years of teaching experience. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Teaching. She is skilled in Teaching English as a Second Language and currently works as an Elementary School Teacher at Pinellas County Schools. She made a career transition one year ago to explore a new path in writing and copy editing. Heather's specialization lies in curriculum development and educational materials, but she maintains versatility to work across various industries. Known for her keen attention to detail and a deep passion for language, she possesses a sharp eye for precision.
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Are you ready to put your English grammar knowledge to the test? This quiz delves into the distinction between clauses and phrases. In the realm of English grammar, understanding clauses and phrases is fundamental as they are essential components of sentences. Clauses consist of both a subject and a predicate, forming a complete thought, while phrases lack one or the other. Are you getting the hang of it?
This quiz is here to challenge you. Give it your best shot and aim for a high score. Strengthen your grammatical skills and gain a deeper understanding of sentence structure. Good luck Read morewith your grammatical journey
Clause vs Phrase Questions and Answers
1.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
He works hard every day.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. Clause
Explanation A clause is a group of words that includes both a subject (in this case, "He") and a predicate (in this case, "works hard every day") and can stand alone as a complete thought or sentence. In this sentence, "He" is the subject, and "works hard every day" is the predicate, conveying a complete idea. Therefore, it is a clause, specifically an independent clause because it can function as a standalone sentence.
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2.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Before the next light
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation The phrase "Before the next light" is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a verb, and it does not express a complete thought on its own. It functions as a modifier, providing additional information about when something should happen. In this case, it suggests that something should happen before reaching the next light. Therefore, the correct answer is "Phrase."
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3.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
In a dark and dangerous hallway.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation "In a dark and dangerous hallway" is a prepositional phrase. It provides additional information about the location of something and consists of the preposition "in" followed by the noun phrase "a dark and dangerous hallway." This prepositional phrase describes where the action or situation in the sentence is taking place.
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4.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
If I need to call you.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. Clause
Explanation A clause contains both a subject and a verb, and in this case, "I" is the subject, and "need to call" is the verb. Additionally, the word "if" introduces a condition, making it a dependent (or subordinate) clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. A phrase, on the other hand, lacks either a subject or a verb, or both. Since this example has both a subject and a verb, it qualifies as a clause.
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5.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
After a good day.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation The given answer is "Phrase" because the sentence "After a good day" does not contain a subject and a verb, which are essential components of a clause. Instead, it is a group of words that functions as a single unit, expressing a complete thought. Therefore, it is classified as a phrase.
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6.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Because it's the right thing to do.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. Clause
Explanation A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb). In this case, "because" is a subordinating conjunction introducing the dependent clause "it's the right thing to do," which contains the subject "it" and the predicate "is." Therefore, it is a clause.
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7.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
As quickly as possible.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation "As quickly as possible" is a phrase because it lacks a subject and a verb, essential components of a clause. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb in a sentence. In this case, it provides information about the speed or urgency of an action without forming a complete grammatical statement on its own.
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8.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
This car's not working.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. Clause
Explanation The given statement "This car's not working" is a complete sentence that expresses a complete thought. It contains a subject ("This car") and a predicate ("not working"). Therefore, it is a clause, which is a group of words that includes a subject and a predicate and can function as a sentence on its own. A phrase, on the other hand, is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a predicate and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
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9.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Working for himself.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation The given correct answer is "Phrase" because "Working for himself" is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a verb, which is the defining characteristic of a clause. Instead, it functions as a single unit, expressing a complete thought. Therefore, it is a phrase.
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10.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Whenever it gets cold.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. Clause
Explanation The given phrase "Whenever it gets cold" is a clause because it contains a subject ("it") and a verb ("gets"). It functions as an adverbial clause, providing information about when or under what conditions something happens.
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11.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
If they want to talk to me.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. Clause
Explanation The given correct answer is "Clause". A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and can function as a sentence or a part of a sentence. In the given sentence, "If they want to talk to me" is a clause because it contains a subject "they" and a predicate "want to talk to me". It also expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
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12.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Towards the north.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation The given answer, "Phrase," is correct because the phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a verb. In this case, "Towards the north" is a group of words that functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating direction. It does not form a complete sentence or express a complete thought, which is characteristic of a phrase rather than a clause.
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13.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
In front of the building.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation The phrase "In front of the building" is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a verb, making it a phrase rather than a clause. It functions as a prepositional phrase, providing information about the location of something in relation to the building.
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14.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Jumping up and down on the bed.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation "Jumping up and down on the bed" is a phrase. It is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a predicate, so it does not express a complete thought. If it were to include a subject and a verb, it could become a clause.
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15.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Until the next time.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation The given correct answer is "Phrase" because "Until the next time" is a group of related words that does not contain a subject and a verb. It functions as a single unit in a sentence and does not express a complete thought on its own, making it a phrase rather than a clause.
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16.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Until she finds a car.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. Clause
Explanation The given answer is "Clause" because a clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. In this case, "Until she finds a car" is a group of words that includes the subject "she" and the verb "finds" and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence and has a clear subject and predicate. Therefore, it is a clause.
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17.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
I don't know the answer.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. Clause
Explanation The answer is "Clause" because a clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb, and it can express a complete thought. In contrast, a phrase is a group of words that does not have a subject and a verb, and it does not express a complete thought. Since the given options are "Clause" and "Phrase," the correct answer is "Clause."
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18.
Which of the following is an example of a phrase in English grammar?
A.
She quickly ran to the store.
B.
The cat, which was sitting on the windowsill, purred.
C.
Beautifully decorated with lights and ornaments.
D.
He is studying for his final exams.
Correct Answer
C. Beautifully decorated with lights and ornaments.
Explanation A phrase is a group of words that functions as a single unit within a sentence but does not contain a subject and a verb combination that makes a complete thought or expresses an action. "Beautifully decorated with lights and ornaments" is an example of a phrase because it is a group of words that describes something (possibly a Christmas tree or a room) but does not contain a subject and verb. In contrast, options a), b), and d) are complete sentences or contain clauses with subjects and verbs that form complete thoughts.
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19.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Across the street from us.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation This is a phrase.
A phrase is a group of words that work together as a unit, but it lacks a subject and a verb. In this example, we see the following:
Prepositional phrase: "across the street"
Prepositional phrase: "from us"
These phrases combine to create a larger unit, but there's no subject performing an action (verb).
A clause, on the other hand, must contain both a subject and a verb.
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20.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause?
Inside a deep, dark well.
A.
Clause
B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. pHrase
Explanation The given answer "Phrase" is correct because "Inside a deep, dark well" is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a predicate, which are necessary components of a clause. Instead, it functions as a single unit conveying a specific meaning. Therefore, it is a phrase.
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Heather Baxter |BSc (Elementary Education and Teaching)|
K-12 English Expert
Heather is an educator, with four years of teaching experience. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Teaching. She is skilled in Teaching English as a Second Language and currently works as an Elementary School Teacher at Pinellas County Schools. She made a career transition one year ago to explore a new path in writing and copy editing. Heather's specialization lies in curriculum development and educational materials, but she maintains versatility to work across various industries. Known for her keen attention to detail and a deep passion for language, she possesses a sharp eye for precision.
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