Ready to master what is a phrase clause and sharpen your grammar skills? Our free "What Is a Phrase vs Clause?" quiz challenges you to dive into phrase or clause examples, test your understanding, and gain confidence. Explore questions based on adjectival and adverbial nuances or clear up confusion with noun and verb phrases . Whether you're prepping for exams or polishing everyday writing, you'll reinforce your knowledge, create a handy phrases and clauses worksheet, and learn to rely on a phrase or clause checker for flawless prose. Ready to challenge yourself? Start the quiz now and see what you can achieve!
Which of the following best defines a phrase?
A word that modifies another word.
A group of words with a subject and predicate.
A group of words without both a subject and a verb.
An independent sentence.
A phrase is a unit of words that does not contain both a subject and a verb. It functions as part of speech within a sentence rather than expressing a complete thought. Phrases can act as nouns, adjectives, adverbs, or verbals in a sentence. Learn more.
Which of the following best describes a clause?
A single word that acts as a verb.
A group of words with a subject and a predicate.
A word that joins phrases together.
An independent sentence fragment.
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate (verb). Clauses can stand alone as complete sentences (independent clauses) or function within sentences (dependent clauses). Understanding clauses is essential for sentence structure. Read more.
Identify whether "the tall building" is a phrase or a clause.
Phrase
Clause
Sentence
Independent clause
"The tall building" lacks a verb and thus cannot be a clause, which requires both a subject and a predicate. It functions as a noun phrase, naming an object with modifiers. Phrases like this can serve as subjects or objects in sentences. More info.
What is "because she smiled" an example of?
Dependent clause
Independent clause
Phrase
Complete sentence
The segment "because she smiled" contains a subject (she) and a verb (smiled) and begins with a subordinating conjunction (because), making it a dependent clause. It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Dependent clauses need to attach to independent clauses. Learn more.
Which best describes "running the marathon"?
Gerund phrase
Clause
Complete sentence
Prepositional phrase
"Running the marathon" is a gerund phrase because it starts with a gerund (running) functioning as a noun and includes its object. Gerund phrases can act as subjects or objects in sentences. They do not contain a finite verb form acting as a predicate. See details.
How is "They arrived late" classified?
Independent clause
Dependent clause
Phrase
Modifier
"They arrived late" contains a subject (they) and a verb (arrived), expressing a complete thought. Thus, it is an independent clause capable of standing alone as a sentence. Independent clauses form the basis of simple sentences. More info.
What type of unit is "in the morning"?
Prepositional phrase
Adverb clause
Noun clause
Independent clause
"In the morning" begins with the preposition in and includes its object (the morning). It functions as an adverbial element in sentences. Prepositional phrases cannot stand alone as clauses. Learn more.
The fragment "Although it rained" is an example of what?
Dependent clause
Independent clause
Phrase
Complete sentence
"Although it rained" contains a subordinating conjunction (although), a subject (it), and a verb (rained), making it a dependent clause. It cannot stand alone as a complete thought and must attach to an independent clause. See details.
What kind of unit is "the old wooden table"?
Noun phrase
Adverb clause
Verb clause
Independent clause
"The old wooden table" is a noun phrase comprising the noun (table) and its modifiers (the old wooden). Noun phrases serve as subjects or objects. They do not include a verb, so they cannot be clauses. Learn more.
Which term describes the group of words "under the table"?
Prepositional phrase
Adverb clause
Independent clause
Noun clause
"Under the table" starts with the preposition under and includes its object (the table), making it a prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverbial or adjectival modifier in sentences. Prepositional phrases lack a subject-verb component, so they are not clauses. Read more.
Which of the following is an independent clause?
I enjoy reading books.
When the bell rings
Because she laughed
In the afternoon
"I enjoy reading books." contains a subject (I) and a predicate (enjoy reading books) and expresses a complete thought, qualifying it as an independent clause. The others are dependent clauses or phrases. Independent clauses can stand alone as sentences. More info.
Which of the following is a dependent clause?
When the sun sets
Birds fly
Running fast
Under the bridge
"When the sun sets" has a subject (the sun) and verb (sets) but begins with the subordinating conjunction when. It cannot stand alone, making it a dependent clause. The others are either independent clauses or phrases. Learn more.
What is a noun clause?
A clause that acts as a noun in a sentence.
A clause that modifies a noun.
A simple clause without a verb.
A clause introduced by and/or.
A noun clause is a dependent clause that performs the function of a noun (subject, object, or complement) in a sentence. It contains a subject and verb but cannot stand alone. Common introductory words include that, what, who, and whether. More info.
In the sentence 'What you said surprised me,' identify the noun clause.
What you said
surprised me
You said
me
"What you said" functions as the subject of the sentence and contains a subject and verb, making it a noun clause. It cannot stand alone as a sentence. The remaining words form a predicate or object. Read more.
An adjective phrase typically does which of the following?
Modifies a noun.
Acts as a subject.
Introduces a clause.
Functions as the main verb.
An adjective phrase modifies a noun or pronoun, providing additional information about its quality or characteristics. It does not contain a subject-verb pair. Adjective phrases can be single words, prepositional phrases, or participial phrases. Learn more.
Which of the following is an adjective phrase?
Full of energy
Ran quickly
She laughed
If it rains
"Full of energy" is an adjective phrase that describes a noun by specifying its state. It lacks a subject-verb pair and functions adjectivally. The other options are an adverbial phrase, an independent clause, and a dependent clause. Learn more.
What characterizes an adverbial clause?
It has a subject and verb and modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.
It lacks a verb and acts as an adverb.
It functions as a noun in a sentence.
It introduces a list of items.
An adverbial clause contains a subject and a verb and functions as an adverb by modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It often begins with subordinating conjunctions like because, if, when, or although. It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. More info.
Identify the adverbial clause: 'If you finish early, we can go for coffee.'
If you finish early
we can go
go for coffee
early
"If you finish early" contains a subject (you) and verb (finish), begins with the subordinating conjunction if, and modifies the main clause, making it an adverbial clause. It establishes a condition for the main action. Learn more.
Which of these is a relative clause?
The man who lives next door
Under the bright sky
Running through the park
A quick runner
"The man who lives next door" contains the relative pronoun who introducing a relative clause that modifies the noun man. A relative clause provides additional information about a noun. The others are phrases without relative pronouns or verbs functioning adjectivally. Learn more.
In 'The student, who was tired, slept', what type of clause is 'who was tired'?
Non-defining relative clause
Defining relative clause
Noun clause
Adverb clause
"Who was tired" is set off by commas and adds non-essential information about the student, making it a non-defining relative clause. It begins with the relative pronoun who and contains a subject and verb. Defining relative clauses are not separated by commas. More info.
Which best classifies 'to win the contest'?
Infinitive phrase
Gerund phrase
Noun clause
Prepositional phrase
"To win the contest" starts with the infinitive to and includes its object, forming an infinitive phrase. Infinitive phrases can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. They differ from gerund phrases, which begin with a gerund. Learn more.
Which is a gerund phrase?
Swimming in the ocean
Although he swam
He swims
In the ocean
"Swimming in the ocean" begins with the gerund swimming (verb + -ing functioning as a noun) and includes a prepositional phrase, making it a gerund phrase. It can act as a subject or object. The other options are clauses or prepositional phrases. More info.
Identify the infinitive phrase in 'She wants to travel the world.'
to travel the world
wants to travel
travel the world
She wants
"To travel the world" is the infinitive phrase acting as the direct object of the verb wants. It starts with the infinitive to. Infinitive phrases can contain objects or modifiers. Learn more.
Which of the following is a prepositional phrase?
On the roof
When the rain stops
She will leave
The big dog
"On the roof" begins with the preposition on and includes its object the roof, qualifying it as a prepositional phrase. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or nouns. The others are a dependent clause, independent clause, and noun phrase. Learn more.
Which is an adverbial phrase?
In a hurry
He ran fast
They are happy
If it snows
"In a hurry" functions as an adverbial phrase describing manner and lacks a subject-verb pair. "He ran fast" is an independent clause, "They are happy" is also an independent clause, and "If it snows" is a dependent clause. More info.
Identify the participial phrase: 'Exhausted from running, she sat down.'
Exhausted from running
she sat down
from running
Exhausted
"Exhausted from running" begins with the past participle exhausted and includes its complement, forming a participial phrase that modifies the subject she. Participial phrases act adjectivally. It cannot stand alone as a clause. Learn more.
Which option is an absolute phrase?
Weather permitting, we’ll go outside
After the meeting
She left early
Because he was sick
An absolute phrase combines a noun or pronoun with a participle (weather permitting) and adds context without modifying a specific word. It is grammatically independent of the rest of the sentence. The other options are a prepositional phrase, independent clause, and dependent clause. See details.
In the complex sentence "Although he was nervous, he gave a great presentation, which impressed everyone," which clause functions as an adjective?
Although he was nervous
he gave a great presentation
which impressed everyone
None of the above
"Which impressed everyone" begins with the relative pronoun which, contains a subject and verb, and modifies the noun presentation, functioning as a relative (adjective) clause. The first clause is adverbial, and the second is independent. Learn more.
Determine whether the phrase "her voice trembling" in "Her voice trembling, she began to speak" is a phrase or a clause.
Absolute phrase
Dependent clause
Independent clause
Noun clause
"Her voice trembling" contains a noun (voice) and a participle (trembling) forming an absolute phrase that provides background information. It lacks a finite verb, so it is not a clause. Absolute phrases modify the entire sentence. Read more.
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Study Outcomes
Understand Definitions -
Recognize what is a phrase vs clause by learning their core characteristics and how they function in sentences.
Distinguish Structures -
Scan phrase or clause examples to accurately differentiate between complete clauses and dependent phrases in context.
Identify Examples -
Use a phrases and clauses worksheet approach to spot real-world phrases and clauses with confidence and precision.
Analyze Usage -
Apply your knowledge to break down complex sentences, evaluating whether each segment is a phrase or a clause.
Apply Feedback -
Leverage the phrase or clause checker quiz feedback to refine your grammar skills and boost your confidence in English.
Cheat Sheet
Definition of Phrases vs Clauses -
According to Purdue OWL, a phrase is a group of related words that lacks either a subject or a verb, while a clause contains both. When you ask "what is a phrase clause," remember phrases cannot stand alone as sentences. Clauses, by contrast, can be independent (complete thought) or dependent (incomplete thought).
Subject-Verb Requirement -
Cambridge University Press emphasizes that every clause must have at least one subject and one verb, e.g., "the dog barked." In contrast, a phrase like "the barking dog" has no verb acting on a subject. Use this rule as a quick test when reviewing phrase or clause examples.
Independent vs Dependent Clauses -
Harvard's writing center notes independent clauses can stand alone ("She laughed.") while dependent clauses begin with subordinators like "although" or "because" ("Although she laughed…"). Recognizing these helps you spot complex sentences in a phrases and clauses worksheet. Try labeling clauses in compound-complex sentences to build confidence.
Common Phrase Structures & Mnemonics -
Prepositional phrases often start with words like in, on, under, or before (e.g., "in the garden"). Remember the mnemonic "PIN UP" (Preposition + Noun/Pronoun) to flag them quickly. Appositives ("my friend Sarah") and verbals ("running late") are also frequent in phrase or clause exercises.
Practice Strategies & Tools -
Use free phrase or clause checker tools and a phrases and clauses worksheet to test your skills with immediate feedback. Incorporate phrase or clause examples from reputable sources like Purdue OWL or university style guides. Regular self-quizzing boosts retention and confidence in identifying what is a phrase clause.
