Clauses and Phrases
Definitions
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and verb. An independent clause is a simple
sentence. It can stand on its own.
Examples:
She is hungry.
I am feeling well today.
A dependent clause cannot stand on its own. It needs an independent clause to complete a
sentence. Dependent clauses often begin with such words as although, since, if, when, and because.
Examples:
Although she is hungry …
Whoever is hungry …
Because I am feeling well …
Dependent Independent
Although she is hungry, she will give him some of her food.
Whatever they decide, I will agree to.
A phrase is a group of words without a subject-verb component, used as a single part of speech.
Examples:
Best friend (this phrase acts as a noun)
Needing help (this phrase acts as an adjective; see Adjectives and Adverbs)
With the blue shirt (this prepositional phrase acts as an adjective; see Prepositions)
For twenty days (this prepositional phrase acts as an adverb)
Phrases and Clauses
There are many different types of phrases and clauses. The first step to identifying the different
types, though, is to understand the difference between a phrase and a clause.
A phrase is a related group of words. The words work together as a "unit," but they do not have a
subject and a verb.
Examples of Phrases and Clauses:
Examples of Phrases
1. the boy on the bus (noun phrase)
2. will be running (verb phrase)
3. in the kitchen (prepositional phrase)
4. very quickly (adverb phrase)
5. Martha and Jan (noun phrase)
A clause is a group of words that does have both a subject and a verb. Some clauses are independent,
meaning that they express a complete thought. An independent clause is the same as a complete
sentence. Some clauses are dependent, meaning that they cannot stand alone. They do have a subject
and a verb, but they do not express a complete thought. Another word for dependent is subordinate.
Examples of Clauses
1. When I get home (dependent or subordinate clause)
2. The lights are not on. (independent clause)
3. When you wake up (dependent or subordinate clause)
4. Put it on the shelf. (independent clause-understood subject "you)
5. Since it fell on the floor (dependent or subordinate clause)
Definisi “Clause”
Clause adalah “group of words that consists of a subject and a verb.”
Artinya, ciri-ciri utama dari clause adalah ada satu subjek dan satu kata kerja di dalamnya.
Contohnya:
He laughed.
The guests arrived.
Dari 2 contoh di atas, terlihat bahwa ada 1 subjek (he dan the guests) yang berdampingan dengan kata
kerjanya (laughed dan arrived).
Definisi “Phrase”
Phrase adalah “group of words that does NOT consist of a subject and a verb”.
Berlawanan dengan clause, phrase tidak selalu mengandung subjek dan kata kerja.
Contohnya:
Under the tree.
Near the wall.
At the door.
On the roof.
On a table.
“Clause” dan “Phrase” dalam Kalimat
He laughed near the wall (He laughed merupakan “clause”; near the wall merupakan “phrase”)
She is standing on the roof.
She is waiting at the door.
The cat is sleeping under the table.
She is drawing a map on the wall.
“Clause”, Dependen dan Independen
Secara konseptual, tentu yang bisa berdiri sendiri dalam sebuah kalimat adalah clause karena sudah
mengandung subjek dan kata kerja. Dalam Bahasa Inggris hal ini disebut dengan “independent clause”.
Hanya dengan sebuah clause, kalimat tersebut bisa dipahami.
Sebuah clause tidak bisa berdiri sendiri dalam sebuah kalimat,Kondisi ini disebut dengan “dependent
clause”. Artinya, clause ini memang mengandung subjek dan kata kerja, namun merupakan pelengkap
dari kalimat lain.
Contoh:
Although she is hungry…
Whoever is hungry…
Because I am feeling well…
Whatever they decide…
Contoh saat “independent clause” berpadu dengan “dependent clause” dalam 1 kalimat:
He order something when he need.
He order something = “independent clause”
when he need = “dependent clause
She has talk to her mother who she missed so much.
She has talk to her mother = “independent clause”
who she missed so much = “dependent clause
