Phrases and Clauses: Meaning, Example, Differences

Phrases and Clauses are both groups of words that help us write clear and meaningful sentences. While both are important parts of grammar, the main difference between phrases and clauses is that a phrase is just a group of words without a subject or a verb. But a clause has both a subject and a verb.

Shivam Singh19 Sept, 2025

Phrases and Clauses

Phrases and Clauses are important parts of English grammar. Both are groups of words, but they work in different ways. Phrases do not have a subject and a verb, which is why they cannot express any complete thought or idea. Clauses, on the other hand, include both a subject and a verb, which means they can sometimes make a complete sentence by themselves.

Understanding the difference between phrases and clauses helps you write better sentences and improve your writing skills. So, to learn about phrases and clauses in detail, along with examples, keep reading.

Read more: Gender in Grammar

What is a Phrase?

To know the difference between phrases and clauses, it is important that you first understand what is a phrase. A phrase is a small group of words used in a sentence, but it cannot express a complete thought. It is because phrases do not have a subject or any verb.

There are many types of phrases in English, like noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases, prepositional phrases, and gerund phrases. Each type plays a different role in making sentences clear and meaningful.

Examples of Phrases in Sentence

Examples of phrases in a sentence help you understand how phrases work to make meaningful sentences. A phrase is not complete on its own but adds meaning to the sentence. Here are some easy examples of phrases in a sentence:

The red balloon floated in the sky. (Noun phrase)
She was reading a storybook. (Verb phrase)
The cat slept on the warm bed. (Prepositional phrase)
It is a very beautiful painting. (Adjective phrase)
He finished the race with great energy. (Adverb phrase)

What is a Clause?

What is a clause? a commonly asked question in learning grammar. A clause is a group of words in a sentence that has both a subject and a verb. That's why it can sometimes act as a complete sentence on its own.

There are two main types of clauses: Main Clause (Independent Clause): Can stand alone as a full sentence, and Subordinate Clause (Dependent Clause): Cannot stand alone and needs the main clause to complete its meaning.

Examples of Clauses in Sentence

To properly understand what is a clause and how it works, let us look at some examples of clauses in a sentence. As we learned, a clause always has a subject and a verb. It can work independently and dependently. Here are some examples of clauses in a sentence:

She is singing. (Independent clause because it makes complete sense)
I will call you when I reach home. (Dependent clause, as it needs the first part)
They went to the park because it was sunny. (Has both independent and dependent clauses)
Although he was tired, he completed the work. (Subordinate clause joined with the main clause)
We enjoyed the food that she cooked. (Relative clause in the sentence)

Read More: Figures of Speech

Difference Between Phrases and Clauses

When learning grammar, students often get confused between phrases and clauses. Both are groups of words used in sentences, but they are not the same. Understanding the difference between phrases and clauses makes it easier to write correct and meaningful sentences. Let's compare phrase vs clause to know how they differ from each other:

Phrase vs Clause
Phrases	Clauses
A phrase is a group of words without a subject and a predicate.	A clause is a group of words with both a subject and a predicate.
A phrase cannot be used alone as a complete sentence.	A clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
A phrase only adds meaning to a sentence, but does not give a complete sense.	A clause gives a complete idea or thought when used correctly.
Example: over the hill, on the table.	Example: She is reading a book., He smiled.

Also Read: What Are Modal Verbs?

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Phrases and Clauses FAQ

What are phrases and clauses in English?

A phrase is a group of words without a subject and a verb, while a clause has both a subject and a verb.

What is the phrase vs clause function in a sentence?

A phrase works like a part of a sentence (noun, verb, adjective, etc.), but a clause can give complete meaning and sometimes can act like a complete sentence.