DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL BANGALORE - EAST
ENGLISH
PHRASE AND CLAUSE
NAME: ___________________ CLASS: VII SEC: _____ DATE: ______
1. A phrase is a collection of words that may have nouns or verbs, but it does not have a
subject doing a verb.
The following are examples of phrases:
leaving behind the dog
before the first test
between ignorance and intelligence
because of her glittering smile
smashing into a fence
after the devastation
broken into thousands of pieces
In these examples above, we will find nouns (dog, fence, test, devastation, ignorance,
intelligence, thousands, pieces). You also have some verbs (leaving, smashing), but in no
case is the noun functioning as a subject doing the verb. They are all phrases.
2. A clause is a collection of words that has a subject that is actively doing a verb.
The following are examples of clauses:
since she laughs at timid men
when the saints go marching in
I despise individuals of low character
because she smiled at him.
EXERCISES
1. In the following sentences, state whether the underlined part is a phrase or a clause.
a. Life is full of ups and downs. __________________
b. She passed her test because of her teacher. __________________
c. The blue dress that I bought for you is very costly. __________________
d. The army fought with great courage. __________________
e. He has a chain which is made of gold. __________________
f. Apart from chocolates he loves to eat doughnuts. __________________
g. Not knowing what to do, she stood there motionless. __________________
h. The guy wearing the chicken costume is my cousin. __________________
i. Despite her protests, they took the child away. __________________
j. You may sit wherever you like. __________________
k. I enjoy walking along the beach. __________________
l. His sudden disappearance worried us. __________________
m. The guests left when the rain stopped. __________________
n. Although she is poor, she is happy. __________________
o. The umbrella with a broken handle is mine. __________________
2. Circle the phrases in the following sentences:
a. The kitten played with the ball.
b. I expect to get a prize.
c. It’s too bad that Ms. Frazer will not be teaching next year.
d. Red balloon floated above the treetops.
e. After the game, the team went out for ice-cream.
3. For each group of words, identify whether it is a phrase or a clause:
a. no one did well in the game __________________
b. my wooden chair __________________
c. wonderful experience __________________
d. we finished cleaning up __________________
e. arriving at the store __________________
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ANSWER KEY
1. In the following sentences, state whether the underlined part is a phrase or a clause.
a. Life is full of ups and downs. Phrase
b. She passed her test because of her teacher. Phrase
c. The blue dress that I bought for you is very costly. Clause
d. The army fought with great courage. Phrase
e. He has a chain which is made of gold. Clause
f. Apart from chocolates he loves to eat doughnuts. Phrase
g. Not knowing what to do, she stood there motionless. Phrase
h. The guy wearing the chicken costume is my cousin. Phrase
i. Despite her protests, they took the child away. Phrase
j. You may sit wherever you like. Clause
k. I enjoy walking along the beach. Phrase
l. His sudden disappearance worried us. Phrase
m. The guests left when the rain stopped. Clause
n. Although she is poor, she is happy. Clause
o. The umbrella with a broken handle is mine. Phrase
2. Circle the phrases in the following sentences:
a. The kitten played with the ball.
b. I expect to get a prize.
c. It’s too bad that Ms. Frazer will not be teaching next year.
d. Red balloon floated above the treetops.
e. After the game, the team went out for ice-cream.
3. For each group of words, identify whether it is a phrase or a clause:
a. no one did well in the game Clause
b. my wooden chair Phrase
c. wonderful experience Phrase
d. we finished cleaning up Clause
e. arriving at the store Phrase
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