Phrases are groups of words without a verb. They are embedded within a longer sentence. Phrases can often function as an independent sentence. Clauses are usually paired with an object. They are similar but different. Learn to distinguish the differences between these two types of sentences.
Phrases are any combination of words that do not contain a subject and a verb
Phrases are short groups of words that work together to convey a concept. They can be descriptive or technical, and they enrich sentences by adding context, detail, and clarity. While many common phrases are perfectly acceptable, others can undermine the meaning of a sentence or make the writer’s point less clear.
A common misused punctuation mark is the apostrophe. When it is used incorrectly, apostrophes may confuse readers and make a sentence longer. A good rule of thumb is to avoid using them when you know you aren’t sure what the reader will understand.
Using Grammarly is a great way to fix these mistakes. It can even help you fix passive voice problems. For example, if you have a sentence with a passive voice, the Grammarly app will tell you that the sentence is in the passive voice. It will highlight these errors in blue.
They can often function as an independent sentence
A Grammarly phrase is a short phrase that often functions as an independent sentence. These phrases can be used in a variety of ways, including to begin a new paragraph, end a sentence, or add additional information. They are often composed of a subject, predicate, verb, and optional object. They may be short, long, or contain multiple subjects.
The purpose of a clause is to convey information about a subject. Depending on the subject, a clause can be an independent sentence in and of itself. A clause can contain one or more subjects and must contain a related verb. The dependent clause must also contain a subordinating conjunction and a relative pronoun.
Although these two parts of speech are often confused, they are not the same. A clause has a subject and a verb; a phrase does not. A phrase acts like an adjective and conveys a thought to the reader.
They are embedded in other sentences
Embedded clauses and phrases are the parts of a sentence that modify the meaning of another sentence. They are not considered separate phrases, and are only grammatically correct when they are used within a sentence. Here are some examples of embedded clauses and phrases.
A clause is a group of words that include a subject and verb. An independent clause is the basic sentence, and a dependent clause requires the independent clause to complete the sentence. Often, a dependent clause starts with a word such as although, since, or because. A phrase, on the other hand, contains a single word or set of words, but does not have the structure of a clause.
If you use an embedded clause in a sentence, make sure to use a comma to separate it from the main clause. This will help the reader to understand the structure of the sentence.
They are similar but not the same
While both clauses and phrases are similar in appearance, they are very different in terms of function and meaning. In general, a clause is a group of words used in a sentence, usually with a subject and a verb. Unlike a clause, which has a structure, a phrase is an independent unit that conveys a thought, allowing it to stand on its own in a sentence.
Unlike a clause, a phrase does not have a subject. Instead, it simply consists of a group of words. The verb is the main part of a clause, while a phrase is just a group of words. When a phrase contains no subject, it is referred to as a prepositional phrase.