Phrase vs. Clause: What’s The Difference?

When we want to craft the perfect sentence, phrases and clauses are two of our most important tools. But what are these exactly?

In this article, we will define what phrases and clauses are, explain how they are different from each other, and provide examples of how we typically use both of them to build sentences.

What is a phrase?

In grammar, a phrase is a group of words that act together as a single unit but don’t contain the things needed to form a sentence: a subject and a predicate. Phrases may contain nouns and verbs, but they cannot function by themselves as complete sentences. If used alone, a phrase would be a sentence fragment and not a sentence. For example, the phrase shiny gold watches is clearly not a complete sentence as it doesn’t have a predicate.

There are several kinds of phrases in English that each serve different grammatical functions. Some examples of different kinds of phrases include:

• Noun phrase: A noun and the words that modify the noun, such as an article and adjectives. Example: the smelly socks
• Gerund phrase: A gerund, its object(s), and any modifiers. Example: hitting nails with a hammer
• Verb phrase: A main verb and other words that act with it to form a predicate, such as helping verbs or adverbs. Example: has been peacefully sleeping
• Prepositional phrase: A preposition, its object(s), and additional modifiers. Example: of my favorite movies
• Adjective phrase: An adjective and its modifiers, usually adverbs. Example: really small

Examples of phrases in a sentence

Different kinds of phrases are often used to make more complex sentences.

• Running laps around the jogging track is really good exercise.
• The tired, old cat can’t catch mice anymore.
• Thinking quickly, we put out the fire with a hose.
• His last Christmas gift to her was a partridge in a pear tree.
• She quizzically rubbed her chin, thinking about how best to answer the question.

What is a clause?

Unlike a phrase, a clause does have both a subject and a predicate, and a clause may be able to stand alone as a complete sentence. For example, the clause Mice eat cheese has both a subject (mice) and a predicate (eat) and would be grammatically correct as a standalone sentence.

There are two major types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses. An independent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence while a dependent clause cannot. Typically, a dependent clause begins with a connecting word, such as a conjunction or a pronoun, that connects it to the rest of the sentence. For example:

• Independent Clause: I am allergic to peanuts
• Dependent Clause: since I am allergic to peanuts

We often use both independent and dependent clauses to form complex sentences. For example:

• Two independent clauses: I like Megan, and she likes me.
• Independent and dependent clause: We had to read the book twice because it was so confusing.

Dive in deeper into the differences between independent and dependent clauses.

Examples of clauses in a sentence

Like phrases, we often use clauses to form longer, complex sentences.

• I don’t like December because it is always too cold.
• John wanted to eat Cincinnati chili, so he did.
• She didn’t break the record even though she could have.
• I like ketchup on my hamburger, but my sister prefers mustard.
• Ham and eggs is a fine choice for breakfast, but you should also try to eat some fruits because they are good for your health.

clause vs. phrase

How do you tell the difference between a clause and a phrase? It is actually pretty simple. A clause includes both a subject and a predicate. A phrase is missing a subject and a predicate. So, if you can’t find a subject or a predicate in a group of words, you are dealing with a phrase and not a clause. For example, ten sleepy sheep is a group of words but does not include a verb, which means it doesn’t have a predicate. Without a predicate, this group of words must be a phrase.

Let’s look at some more examples that show this big difference in clauses and phrases:

the children laughed

• Clause or phrase? Clause. This group of words has both a subject (children) and predicate (laughed). It is an independent clause and could stand alone as a complete sentence.

by talking about their favorite recipes

• Clause or phrase? Phrase. There’s no subject or predicate in this group of words, and it doesn’t make sense when used by itself.

as we ate lunch 

• Clause or phrase? Clause. This group of words contains both a subject (we) and a predicate (ate). This is a dependent clause that begins with the conjunction as. It needs to be used with an independent clause in order to form a sentence.

phrase vs. clause vs. sentence

Phrases and clauses are ingredients that we use to make complete sentences.

A sentence is a collection of words that include a subject and a predicate and can be used to express a complete thought. For example, Birds fly is a sentence.

A phrase is a group of words that doesn’t have a subject and a predicate. A phrase cannot stand alone and does not express a complete thought. For example, was working yesterday is a (verb) phrase. Phrases are typically used to build a sentence, modify parts of a sentence, or to provide more information.

A clause is a collection of words that includes a subject and a predicate. A clause may or may not be able to stand alone as a complete sentence. For example, the independent clause green is my favorite color can function as a complete sentence whereas the dependent clause because green is my favorite color cannot.

Technically, there is no real difference between a sentence and an independent clause. We simply use the term independent clause to describe a part of a complex sentence that includes multiple groups of words that have both subjects and predicates. A set of words that reads Cats meow could be either a sentence or an independent clause depending on how we use it. For example:

• Cats meow. (Cats meow is a sentence)
• Cats meow, and dogs bark. (Cats meow is an independent clause)