Phrase Vs. Clause: Difference between Phrase and Clause

In this article of English grammar, candidates will gain an understanding of the distinction between a Phrase and a Clause, which is pertinent to the objective and descriptive English sections of various competitive exams.

Difference between a phrase and a clause in grammar

Phrase और Clause में अंतर निम्नलिखित है-

Phrase (वाक्यांश)	Clause (उपवाक्य)
A group of related words that functions as a single part of speech ऐसे शब्दों का समूह जो किसी एक शब्द के रूप में कार्य करता है	A group of related words containing a subject and a predicate ऐसे शब्दों का एक समूह जिसमें एक कर्त्ता और एक विधेय होता है
May consist of one or more words, but lacks a subject-verb relationship एक या एक से अधिक शब्दों से मिलकर बना हो सकता है, लेकिन इसमें कर्त्ता-क्रिया संबंध नहीं होता है	Contains a subject and a predicate (verb) इसमें कर्त्ता-क्रिया में संबंध होता है
Can be a component of a sentence or a clause. एक वाक्यांश या वाक्य के एक घटक के रूप में होता है	Can be a standalone sentence or part of a sentence एक स्वतंत्र वाक्य या वाक्य के भाग के रूप में होता है
Different types include noun phrases, verb phrases, prepositional phrases, etc. विभिन्न प्रकार जैसे संज्ञा पद, विशेषण पद, क्रिया पद, संबंधबोधक पद आदि।	Different types include Principle Clause (independent clauses), Co-ordinate Clause and Subordinate Clause (dependent clauses). इसके मुख्य रूप से तीन प्रकार “स्वतंत्र उपवाक्य, समानपदीय उपवाक्य, और आश्रित उपवाक्य” होते हैं।
Serves as a building block in a sentence, providing additional information अतिरिक्त जानकारी प्रदान करते हुए एक वाक्य के भाग के रूप में कार्य करता है	Serves as a complete thought or idea, expressing a complete meaning पूर्ण अर्थ व्यक्त करते हुए एक पूर्ण अनुभव या विचार के रूप में कार्य करता है
Phrase Example: The black cat (noun phrase) running in the park (verb phrase) under the table (prepositional phrase) extremely talented (adjective phrase)	Clause Example: She is reading a book (independent clause) because it was raining (dependent clause) when the sun sets (dependent clause) And man made the town (Co-ordinate Clause)

Phrases

A phrase is a group of related words that functions as a single part of speech within a sentence. It does not contain both a subject and a predicate.

Examples of phrases:

• The big blue house
• Running in the park
• On the table
• Very talented
• Quite slowly

Common Types of Phrases are given below:

1. Noun Phrase: The blue sky, An old house, The energetic dancer, My favorite book, A group of friends.
2. Adjective Phrase: Extremely tall, Incredibly beautiful, Surprisingly delicious, Quite challenging, Very interesting.
3. Adverb Phrase: Very slowly, Quite happily, Extremely carefully, Incredibly fast, Surprisingly well.
4. Verb Phrase: Running in the park, Jumping with joy, Singing a song, Cooking dinner, Writing a letter.
5. Prepositional Phrase: In the garden, On the table, Under the bridge, With a smile, At the bus stop.

Clauses

A clause is a group of related words that contains both a subject and a predicate. It can function as a complete thought or idea within a sentence.

Examples of clauses:

• She went to the store.
• Because it was raining.
• If you study hard.
• The book that I read.

Common Types of Phrases are given below:

1. Independent Clause (Principal Clause): She walked to the park., He played the guitar., They won the game., The sun was shining brightly., I like to read books.
2. Coordinate Clause: She laughed, and he smiled., We can go shopping or watch a movie., He likes coffee, but she prefers tea., I want to eat pizza, or we can order Chinese food., She studied hard, so she passed the exam.
3. Subordinate Clause (Dependent Clause): Because it was raining, we stayed indoors., After he finished his work, he went home., Although she was tired, she kept studying., When the bell rang, the students lined up., As soon as the bus arrived, they boarded it.,
   • Noun Clauses: I don’t know where she went., Tell me what you want for dinner., She asked if they were coming to the party., I wonder why he is upset., He told me who he saw at the concert.
   • Adjective Clauses: The car that is parked outside is mine., I like the house that has a big garden., The girl who won the competition is my friend., This is the book that I was talking about., The movie that we watched last night was amazing.
   • Adverb Clauses: They went swimming when the sun set., I will go to the party if I finish my work in time., She cried because she was sad., He left early since he had an appointment.

These examples demonstrate the distinction between phrases, which do not have a subject-verb relationship, and clauses, which contain both a subject and a predicate.

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