Sentences, fragments, clauses, and phrases are very easy to differentiate and use, all you need is a clear explanation of the four and some practice and you will never get confused about them again. You will find below a thorough explanation of each of the above accompanied by examples to ensure you understood!
Clauses
In order to understand sentences, you must first understand clauses. A clause is a group of words that form either a sentence or a part of a sentence.
There are four types of clauses:
Independent clause: an independent clause has a subject and a verb and makes sense on its own, this is also called a simple sentence.
Example: “The girl was walking on the beach.”
The previous example has a subject (the girl), and a verb (walking), and makes sense on its own.
Dependent clause: an independent clause has a subject and verb, but does not make sense on its own. It is used as a part of a sentence because it cannot stand alone.
Example: “Since I was sick.”
The previous example has a subject (I), and a verb (sick), but does not make sense because it does not explain what happened because he/she was sick. If we add an independent clause before or after the dependent clause, this creates a logical sentence.
Example: Since I was sick, I had to extend my research due date.”
Or
“I had to extend my research due date because I was sick.”
Adverb clause: an adverb clause is when a dependent clause starts with a subordinate conjunction such as “because”, “since”, and “as”.
Example: “Because I couldn’t pick him up”
The above clause does not make sense because (because) means that it is an explanation to something which it does not explain. So, in order to fix this, we add an independent clause either before or after the dependent clause.
Example: “Ethan was mad at me because I couldn’t pick him up.”
Or
“Because I couldn’t pick him up, Ethan got mad at me.”
Relative clause/ adjective clause: a relative clause, or an adjective clause, is a clause that begins with a relative pronoun or a relative adverb, which are: who, whoever, whom, whomever, that, which, when, where, and whose. These usually describe the nouns that precede them.
Example(1): “Steve Jobs, who was the founder of Apple Inc., passed away in 2011.”
Example(2): “This house, which was built centuries ago, is still as beautiful as the day it was built.”
Sentences
Now that we know what clauses are, let’s take a look at the four types of sentences.
Simple sentence.
A simple sentence is a logical sentence that includes a subject and verb and makes sense on its own, this is also called an independent clause.
Example: “He wrote a great research paper”
Compound sentence.
A compound sentence is a sentence containing two independent clauses.
Example: “He wrote a great research paper, he received an award for his outstanding work.”
In this example, both sentences have a subject and a verb, and both make sense on their own.
Complex sentence.
A complex sentence is made up of one independent clause, and one or more dependent clauses.
Example: “Although his friend helped him, he wrote a great research paper, which he received an award for.”
In this example, the first and last clauses both have subjects and verbs, yet they don’t make sense without the independent clause in between them.
Compound-complex sentence.
A compound-complex sentence is a sentence made of two or more independent clauses and two or more dependent clauses.
Example: “Although his friend helped him, he wrote a great research paper, he received an award for his outstanding work, but his friend didn’t.”
Phrases
A phrase is a group of words that express a concept, and are used as a unit within a sentence. Phrases do not have any subjects or verbs.
There are multiple types of phrases, however, these are the most common:
Noun phrase: noun + words associated with modifying the noun
Example: “She adopted a little, white, furry cat.”
In this example, the cat is the noun, and “little, white, furry” are words that add to the noun.
Verb phrase: main verb + helping verb.
Example: “She had finished writing her novel.”
In the previous example, “finished” is the main verb, however, “had” is an additional, helping verb to the main verb.
Adjective phrase: adjective phrases give more information about the adjective in the sentence, and modify the noun.
Example: “I was extremely delighted by the surprise party they threw me.”
In the above example, “delighted” was the main adjective, “extremely” was a further addition to the main adjective.
Adverb phrase: an adverb phrase augments the sentence’s adverb.
Example: “He finished his painting very quickly this time.”
“Quickly”, in this example, is the adverb, and “very” is an addition to further describe the adverb.
Lastly, prepositional phrase: a prepositional phrase gives more information about the preposition in the sentence. Prepositions display the time/location/position/ or condition of something.
Example(1): “Her daughter was hiding under the table.”
Example(2): “I will meet you in the afternoon.”
Fragments
Fragments are incomplete sentences that have been disconnected from the main clause, usually by a period. In order to fix this, remove the period and replace it with another punctuation, such as a comma, semicolon, colon, or hyphen.
Example: “Cairo University offers multiple undergraduate programs. Such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etcز..”
To fix this, we will remove the period, and replace it with a comma.
“Cairo University offers multiple undergraduate programs, such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etc…”
Confused About Sentences, Fragments, Clauses, and Phrases? Here’s Your Guide!
Confused About Sentences, Fragments, Clauses, and Phrases? Here’s Your Guide!
Even though the differences between them are very easy to point out, they may be confusing sometimes. Click here to learn the differences between them.
Sentences, fragments, clauses, and phrases are very easy to differentiate and use, all you need is a clear explanation of the four and some practice and you will never get confused about them again. You will find below a thorough explanation of each of the above accompanied by examples to ensure you understood! Clauses In order to understand sentences, you must first understand clauses. A clause is a group of words that form either a sentence or a part of a sentence. There are four types of clauses: Independent clause: an independent clause has a subject and a verb and makes sense on its own, this is also called a simple sentence.Example: “The girl was walking on the beach.” The previous example has a subject (the girl), and a verb (walking), and makes sense on its own. Dependent clause: an independent clause has a subject and verb, but does not make sense on its own. It is used as a part of a sentence because it cannot stand alone. Example: “Since I was sick.” The previous example has a subject (I), and a verb (sick), but does not make sense because it does not explain what happened because he/she was sick. If we add an independent clause before or after the dependent clause, this creates a logical sentence. Example: Since I was sick, I had to extend my research due date.”Or “I had to extend my research due date because I was sick.” Adverb clause: an adverb clause is when a dependent clause starts with a subordinate conjunction such as “because”, “since”, and “as”. Example: “Because I couldn’t pick him up” The above clause does not make sense because (because) means that it is an explanation to something which it does not explain. So, in order to fix this, we add an independent clause either before or after the dependent clause. Example: “Ethan was mad at me because I couldn’t pick him up.”Or“Because I couldn’t pick him up, Ethan got mad at me.” Relative clause/ adjective clause: a relative clause, or an adjective clause, is a clause that begins with a relative pronoun or a relative adverb, which are: who, whoever, whom, whomever, that, which, when, where, and whose. These usually describe the nouns that precede them. Example(1): “Steve Jobs, who was the founder of Apple Inc., passed away in 2011.” Example(2): “This house, which was built centuries ago, is still as beautiful as the day it was built.” SentencesNow that we know what clauses are, let’s take a look at the four types of sentences. Simple sentence. A simple sentence is a logical sentence that includes a subject and verb and makes sense on its own, this is also called an independent clause. Example: “He wrote a great research paper” Compound sentence. A compound sentence is a sentence containing two independent clauses. Example: “He wrote a great research paper, he received an award for his outstanding work.”In this example, both sentences have a subject and a verb, and both make sense on their own. Complex sentence. A complex sentence is made up of one independent clause, and one or more dependent clauses. Example: “Although his friend helped him, he wrote a great research paper, which he received an award for.” In this example, the first and last clauses both have subjects and verbs, yet they don’t make sense without the independent clause in between them. Compound-complex sentence. A compound-complex sentence is a sentence made of two or more independent clauses and two or more dependent clauses. Example: “Although his friend helped him, he wrote a great research paper, he received an award for his outstanding work, but his friend didn’t.” Phrases A phrase is a group of words that express a concept, and are used as a unit within a sentence. Phrases do not have any subjects or verbs. There are multiple types of phrases, however, these are the most common: Noun phrase: noun + words associated with modifying the noun Example: “She adopted a little, white, furry cat.”In this example, the cat is the noun, and “little, white, furry” are words that add to the noun. Verb phrase: main verb + helping verb. Example: “She had finished writing her novel.” In the previous example, “finished” is the main verb, however, “had” is an additional, helping verb to the main verb. Adjective phrase: adjective phrases give more information about the adjective in the sentence, and modify the noun. Example: “I was extremely delighted by the surprise party they threw me.” In the above example, “delighted” was the main adjective, “extremely” was a further addition to the main adjective. Adverb phrase: an adverb phrase augments the sentence’s adverb. Example: “He finished his painting very quickly this time.” “Quickly”, in this example, is the adverb, and “very” is an addition to further describe the adverb. Lastly, prepositional phrase: a prepositional phrase gives more information about the preposition in the sentence. Prepositions display the time/location/position/ or condition of something.Example(1): “Her daughter was hiding under the table.” Example(2): “I will meet you in the afternoon.”FragmentsFragments are incomplete sentences that have been disconnected from the main clause, usually by a period. In order to fix this, remove the period and replace it with another punctuation, such as a comma, semicolon, colon, or hyphen. Example: “Cairo University offers multiple undergraduate programs. Such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etcز..” To fix this, we will remove the period, and replace it with a comma. “Cairo University offers multiple undergraduate programs, such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etc…”
