PHRASE - A phrase is a group of related words. It does not contain a subject and a verb.

Examples:

1. from the stairs

2. with ease

3. after school

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CLAUSE - A clause is a group of words that

contains a subject and a verb. There are two types of clauses.

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Independent Clause - can stand alone as a sentence:

Example: The play was funny.

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Dependent Clause- can NOT stand alone. It must have an independent clause with it in order for it to make sense.

​Example: Since the play was funny.

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There are different types of dependent clauses. We're going to start with the ADVERB dependent clause. They begin with subordinating conjunctions. Use the acronym AAAWWWUUBBIS to help you remember them.

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​after, although, as, when, while, unless, until,

because, before, if, since

Say them in the exact same order over and over. You'll get into a rhythm that will help you to remember them.

​after, although, as, when, while, unless/until,

because, before, if, since

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When the dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence, you'll need a comma after it. If you move it to the end, you no longer need the comma.

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​After we eat lunch, we will go to the game.

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We will go to the game after we eat lunch.

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When the dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence, you'll need a comma after it. If you move it to the end, you no longer need the comma.

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​One independent clause and one dependent clause= complex sentence.

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​In a Nutshell

​Memorize the subordinating conjunctions. They're like red flags alerting you to a dependent clause. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SUBJECT AND A VERB. If you don't have both, it's a phrase, not a clause.

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​Let's try it!

​Clause or phrase?

• ​After we eat lunch (we is the subject, eat is the verb)-> CLAUSE

• ​Before school (where's the subject and verb?)-> PHRASE

• ​While you wait (you is the subject, wait is the verb)-> CLAUSE