Phrases vs. Clauses

Phrases vs. Clauses: What are they?

Phrases vs. Clauses

A phrase is a group of words. The phrase itself will not contain a subject and a verb. However, the phrase may have a subordinate clause in it, which contains a subject and a verb, but that clause will be functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb in the phrase. A phrase can function as an adjective, adverb, or a noun, depending upon the type of the phrase.

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. A clause can function as a complete sentence, adjective, adverb, or noun, depending upon the type of clause. 

Present Participial Phrase

A present participial phrase is a phrase that modifies nouns or pronouns. It contains the present participle and any complements, such as direct objects or predicate nominatives, or modifiers. Modifiers are adjectives and adverbs, whether they are single words, phrases, or subordinate clauses. A present participle is a verb ending in -ing. The phrase tells what kind or which one about the word being modified.

Past Participial Phrase
A past participial phrase is a phrase that modifies nouns or pronouns. It contains the past participle and any complements or modifiers. The past participle is a verb form ending in -d, -ed, or an irregular past tense ending. The phrase tells what kind or which one about the word beng modified. 
Gerund Phrase
A gerund phrase is a phrase that acts as the noun in sentence. It contains the gerund and any complements or modifiers. A gerund is a verb form nding in -ing that functions as a noun. The phrase gives the same information in a sentence a noun supplies. 
Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase is a phrase that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun, the object of the preposition . A preposition is a word that connects the noun or pronoun that follows it to some other word in the clause or sentence. All prepositions function as modifiers (adjectives or adverbs). Below is a list of some prepositions.

• aboard
• about
• above
• across
• after
• against
• along
• among
• as
• at
• before
• behind
• below
• beneath
• beside
• between
• but(except)
• by
• concerning
• down
• during
• for
• form
• in
• inside
• into
• like
• near
• of
• off
• on
• onto
• out
• outside
• over
• past
• since
• through
• throughout
• to
• toward
• under
• underneath
• until
• up
• upon
• with
• within
• without

Here's a list of some compound Prepositions:

• according to
• ahead of
• along with
• because of
• by neans of
• in addition to
• in front of
• in spite of
• instead of
• next to
• on top of
• out of

 Adjective Infinitive Phrase
An adjective infinitive phrase is a phrase that acts as an adjective. It contains the infinitive and any complements of modifiers. An infinitive is a verb form preceded by to . An adjective is a word, phrase, or clause that describes, limits, or modifies a noun or pronoun. The phrase tells what kind , which one, how many, or whose about the word being modified. 

Adverb Infinitive Phrase

Adverb Infinitive Phrase An adverb infinitive phrase is a phrase that acts as an adverb. It contains the infinitive and any complements or modifiers. An adverb is a word, phrase, or clause that modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb. An phrase tells how, when, where, why, to what extent, or under what condition about the word being modified.