Commas with Clauses and Phrases

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Conquering the Confusion

More Uses for Commas

You have already learned that commas are used to separate groups of nouns, verbs, or adjectives.

Commas are also used to separate clauses and phrases.

Many people do not understand the difference between a clause and a phrase. Do you?

Clauses and PhrasesWhat is the difference between a clause and

a phrase?

Both are a group of words.

A CLAUSE has a subject and verb that work together.

A PHRASE does not have a subject and a verb that work together.

Practice – clause vs. phraseWhich group of words is a clause? Which group of words is a phrase?

while watching the football game

Sam ate

popcorn and chips

his wife read a magazine

Answer – clause vs. phrasewhile watching the football game

No subject – PHRASE

Sam ateSubject and verb work together – CLAUSE

popcorn and chipsNo verb – PHRASE

his wife read a magazineSubject and verb work together - CLAUSE

More Practice 1Is this a clause or a phrase?

as soon as the game was over

Sam and his wife took a walk

in the rain

Answersas soon as the game was over

Subject and verb work together - CLAUSE

Sam and his wife took a walkSubject and verb work together - CLAUSE

in the rainNo subject or verb - PHRASE

Sentences

Sentences are made up of clauses and phrases.

Some clauses are independent – they can stand alone.

Some clauses are dependent – they cannot stand alone.

There are several types of phrases.

Independent ClauseAn independent clause:

Has a subject and verb that work together

Forms a complete thought

Can stand alone as a sentence

Examples of Independent Clauses

the dog barked

Subject + verb Forms a complete thoughtCan stand alone as a sentence

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Mary hummed and sewed

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

she listened to her children playing outside

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Dependent ClauseA dependent clause:

Has a subject and verb that work together

Can NOT stand alone as a sentence

Markers of Dependent ClausesMany times, a dependent clause is introduced by a marker word.

Examples:

www.asia.wub

AfterBeforeWhetherOnceUntil

When While Where As Since If Although Whereas Unless Because

Example of a Dependent Clause

while the dog barked

Subject + verb Can NOT stand alone as a sentence

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

*Dependent clause marker word “while” begins the clause

because Ralph was ill

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

*Dependent clause marker word ”because” begins the clause

before the farmer planted his crops

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

*Dependent clause marker word “before” begins the clause

Practice 1Independent or Dependent Clause?

Jim bent over the wounded toe

Practice 1.

Jim bent over the wounded toeSubject and verb work togetherForms a complete thoughtCan stand alone as a sentenceINDEPENDENT clause

while the bandage was being unwound

Practice 2.

while the bandage was being unwoundSubject and verb work togetherDoes NOT form a complete thoughtCan NOT stand alone as a sentenceDEPENDENT clause

* NOTE: marker word “while” begins clause

Tom whitewashed with vigor

Practice 3.

Tom whitewashed with vigorSubject and verb work togetherForms a complete thoughtCan stand alone as a sentenceINDEPENDENT clause

as Aunt Polly retired triumphantly

Practice 4.

as Aunt Polly retired triumphantlySubject and verb work togetherDoes NOT form a complete thoughtCan NOT stand alone as a sentenceDEPENDENT clause

* NOTE: marker word “as” begins clause

SummaryCommas are used to separate series of phrases or clauses.Commas are used to set clauses apart from other clauses.

A phrase is a group of words that does NOT have a subject and verb that work together.

A clause is a group of work that DOES have a subject and verb that work together.

A clause may be independent or dependent. Independent clauses form a complete thought and can stand

alone as a sentence. Dependent clauses cannot stand alone and usually begin with a

“marker” word.

Commas with Clauses and Phrases

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