RULES OF CLAUSES AND
1. A clause has a subject and a verb.
Example: She runs fast.
2. A phrase has no complete subject-verb combination.
Example: Running fast, in the park
3. Clauses can be independent (stand alone).
Example: I like apples.
4. Dependent clauses cannot stand alone.
Example: Because / was late...
5. Noun clauses act as nouns.
Example: What she said was true.
6. Noun clauses can be subjects.
Example: That he is honest is clear.
7. Noun clauses can be objects.
Example: I know that she is right.
8. Noun clauses can be complements.
Example: The truth is that he lied.
9. Adjective clauses describe nouns.
Example: The man who is tall is my uncle.
10. Adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns.
Example: who, which, that, whose
11. Adverb clauses describe verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.
Example: She left because she was tired.
12. Adverb clauses show time, cause, condition, contrast.
Example: I will wait until you come.
13. Independent + Independent = Compound sentence.
Example: I came, and I saw.
14. Independent + Dependent = Complex sentence.
Example: I left because it was late.
15. A phrase adds detail but lacks full meaning.
Example: In the morning, very quickly
16. Prepositional phrases begin with a preposition.
Example: on the table, in the park
17. Noun phrases act as nouns.
Example: The tall boy is my friend.
18. Adjective phrases describe nouns.
Example: The boy with blue eyes is my brother.
19. Adverb phrases describe verbs.
Example: She spoke in a loud voice.
20. Verb phrases include the main verb and auxiliaries.
Example: She is singing a song.
21. Infinitive phrases begin with "to + verb."
Example: to read a book, to play cricket
22. Gerund phrases begin with —ing verb used as noun.
Example: Swimming is fun.
23. Participle phrases begin with —ing or —ed verb as adjective.
Example: Running fast, he caught the bus.
24. Absolute phrases modify the whole sentence.
Example: Weather being fine, we went out.
25. Appositive phrases rename a noun.
Example: My friend, a doctor, is here.
26. A clause can function as subject, object, or complement.
Example: What you did is surprising.
27. Dependent clauses need conjunctions.
Example: Although he was tired, he worked.
28. Relative clauses describe nouns with more detail.
Example: The girl who won is my cousin.
29. Restrictive clauses give essential info (no commas).
Example: The boy who studies hard will succeed.
30. Non-restrictive clauses add extra info (with commas).
Example: My brother, who is tall, is an engineer.
31. Some clauses start with "that" without being essential.
Example: I think (that) he is honest.
32. Conditional clauses use "if, unless, provided that."
Example: If it rains, we'll stay home.
33. Time clauses use "when, before, after, until."
Example: I waited until she arrived.
34. Cause clauses use "because, since, as."
Example: I stayed home because it rained.
35. Contrast clauses use "although, though, while."
Example: Although it was late, we worked.
36. Purpose clauses use "so that, in order that."
Example: I studied hard so that I could pass.
37. Result clauses use "so... that, such...that."
Example: He was so tired that he slept immediately.
38. Comparison clauses use "as...as, than."
Example: She is taller than I am.
39. Relative adverbs can begin clauses: where, when, why.
Example: This is the place where I was born.
40. Clauses add depth; phrases add brevity.
Example: Clause: He runs because he is fit. / Phrase: Running fast
41. Avoid sentence fragments with only a phrase.
Example: X In the park. v/ She is playing in the park.
42. Avoid comma splices between clauses.
Example: X I came, I saw, I left. s/ I came; I saw; I left.
43. Use subordinating conjunctions for dependent clauses.
Example: because, although, since, if
44. Infinitive phrases often express purpose.
Example: She came to help me.
45. Gerund phrases act as subjects or objects.
Example: Eating too much is unhealthy.
46. Participle phrases must be placed near the noun they modify.
Example: Walking quickly, she caught the train.
47. Appositive phrases are set off with commas if nonessential.
Example: My father, a kind man, helped everyone.
48. Balance clauses and phrases for smooth writing.
Example: She was late because she missed the bus.
49. Sentence variety comes from mixing clauses and phrases.
Example: After the rain stopped, the children played outside,
50. Mastering clauses and phrases builds strong sentence structure.
Example: Good grammar = clear meaning.
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