Clause Vs Phrase: English Grammar Quiz
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This Phrases and Clauses Quiz is designed to help you understand the fundamental components of sentences in English grammar. In this quiz, you will explore the difference between phrases and clauses, two essential building blocks of sentence structure.
By taking this phrases and clauses test, you will improve your ability to identify and distinguish between different types of phrases and clauses, including independent and dependent clauses. This knowledge is crucial for constructing clear sentences and improving writing skills.
Phrases and Clauses Test Questions and Answers
- 1.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? He works hard every day.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought. In this example, "He" is the subject, and "works hard every day" is the predicate. This combination allows the sentence to stand alone as a complete thought. Therefore, it qualifies as an independent clause. A phrase, in contrast, does not contain both a subject and a predicate, and it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. This makes "He works hard every day" a clause.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Before the next light
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
A phrase is a group of words that does not have both a subject and a predicate, and it cannot stand alone as a complete thought. "Before the next light" is an example of a prepositional phrase. It provides additional information about time or location but lacks a subject and a verb. It is incomplete on its own because it doesn’t express a full thought. Phrases typically function as modifiers or parts of sentences. In this case, the phrase doesn’t form a complete sentence, so it is classified as a phrase.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? In a dark and dangerous hallway.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
"In a dark and dangerous hallway" is a prepositional phrase. It provides additional information about the location of something and consists of the preposition "in" followed by the noun phrase "a dark and dangerous hallway." This prepositional phrase describes where the action or situation in the sentence is taking place.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? If I need to call you.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
A clause contains both a subject and a verb, and in this case, "I" is the subject, and "need to call" is the verb. Additionally, the word "if" introduces a condition, making it a dependent (or subordinate) clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. A phrase, on the other hand, lacks either a subject or a verb, or both. Since this example has both a subject and a verb, it qualifies as a clause.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? After a good day.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
The given answer is "Phrase" because the sentence "After a good day" does not contain a subject and a verb, which are essential components of a clause. Instead, it is a group of words that functions as a single unit, expressing a complete thought. Therefore, it is classified as a phrase.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Because it's the right thing to do.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
"Because it's the right thing to do" is a dependent clause. A dependent clause, introduced by subordinating conjunctions like "because," has both a subject ("it") and a verb ("is"), but it does not express a complete thought. This clause explains the reason for an action but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. To make it a full sentence, an independent clause is required. Dependent clauses rely on other clauses for context, while a phrase lacks both a subject and a predicate, making this a dependent clause.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? As quickly as possible.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
"As quickly as possible" is a phrase because it lacks a subject and a verb, essential components of a clause. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb in a sentence. In this case, it provides information about the speed or urgency of an action without forming a complete grammatical statement on its own.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? This car's not working.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
The given statement "This car's not working" is a complete sentence that expresses a complete thought. It contains a subject ("This car") and a predicate ("not working"). Therefore, it is a clause, which is a group of words that includes a subject and a predicate and can function as a sentence on its own. A phrase, on the other hand, is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a predicate and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Working for himself.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
The given correct answer is "Phrase" because "Working for himself" is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a verb, which is the defining characteristic of a clause. Instead, it functions as a single unit, expressing a complete thought. Therefore, it is a phrase.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Whenever it gets cold.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
"Whenever it gets cold" is a dependent clause because it contains both a subject ("it") and a verb ("gets"). The word "whenever" introduces a time-related condition, making the clause dependent on additional context to form a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a full sentence. It needs an independent clause to express a complete idea. This clause gives information about when something will happen, but without an independent clause, it does not function fully by itself. Therefore, it is classified as a dependent clause.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? If they want to talk to me.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
The given correct answer is "Clause". A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and can function as a sentence or a part of a sentence. In the given sentence, "If they want to talk to me" is a clause because it contains a subject "they" and a predicate "want to talk to me". It also expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Towards the north.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
The given answer, "Phrase," is correct because the phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a verb. In this case, "Towards the north" is a group of words that functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating direction. It does not form a complete sentence or express a complete thought, which is characteristic of a phrase rather than a clause.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? In front of the building.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
The phrase "In front of the building" is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a verb, making it a phrase rather than a clause. It functions as a prepositional phrase, providing information about the location of something in relation to the building.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Jumping up and down on the bed.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
The correct answer is "Phrase." "Jumping up and down on the bed" is a participial phrase because it begins with a present participle ("jumping") and lacks a subject. While it contains a verb form, it does not express a complete thought or contain both a subject and a verb. Participial phrases often describe actions or states of being but cannot stand alone as complete sentences. Because this example lacks a subject and full verb structure, it is a phrase, not a clause.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Until the next time.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
The given correct answer is "Phrase" because "Until the next time" is a group of related words that does not contain a subject and a verb. It functions as a single unit in a sentence and does not express a complete thought on its own, making it a phrase rather than a clause.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Until she finds a car.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
The given answer is "Clause" because a clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. In this case, "Until she finds a car" is a group of words that includes the subject "she" and the verb "finds" and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence and has a clear subject and predicate. Therefore, it is a clause.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? I don't know the answer.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
The answer is "Clause" because a clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb, and it can express a complete thought. In contrast, a phrase is a group of words that does not have a subject and a verb, and it does not express a complete thought. Since the given options are "Clause" and "Phrase," the correct answer is "Clause."Rate this question:
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- 18.
Which of the following is an example of a phrase in English grammar?
- A.
She quickly ran to the store.
- B.
The cat, which was sitting on the windowsill, purred.
- C.
Beautifully decorated with lights and ornaments.
- D.
He is studying for his final exams.
Correct Answer
C. Beautifully decorated with lights and ornaments.Explanation
A phrase is a group of words that functions as a single unit within a sentence but does not contain a subject and a verb combination that makes a complete thought or expresses an action. "Beautifully decorated with lights and ornaments" is an example of a phrase because it is a group of words that describes something (possibly a Christmas tree or a room) but does not contain a subject and verb. In contrast, options a), b), and d) are complete sentences or contain clauses with subjects and verbs that form complete thoughts.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Across the street from us.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
This is a phrase.
A phrase is a group of words that work together as a unit, but it lacks a subject and a verb. In this example, we see the following:
Prepositional phrase: "across the street"
Prepositional phrase: "from us"
These phrases combine to create a larger unit, but there's no subject performing an action (verb).
A clause, on the other hand, must contain both a subject and a verb.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Is this a Phrase or a Clause? Inside a deep, dark well.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
The correct answer is "Phrase." "Inside a deep, dark well" is a prepositional phrase that gives information about location. A phrase does not have a subject and verb combination, which are necessary for a clause. This example functions as a unit to modify a sentence but lacks a subject and a verb to express a complete thought. While it adds detail, it is not a complete sentence on its own. Therefore, it is considered a phrase, not a clause.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Is this a phrase or a clause? The dog barked loudly.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
The sentence "The dog barked loudly" is a clause because it contains both a subject and a predicate, which are essential for forming a complete sentence. "The dog" is the subject, and "barked loudly" is the predicate, making it an independent clause. This clause expresses a complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. A phrase, by contrast, lacks either a subject or a verb, or both, and cannot stand alone. Since this example includes both a subject and a predicate that expresses a full idea, it qualifies as a clause.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Is this a phrase or a clause? After the storm passed.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
"After the storm passed" is a phrase because it does not contain a subject and a verb working together to express a complete thought. The subject "storm" is implied but not directly stated, and there is no verb that can function as a predicate. "After the storm passed" is dependent on additional information to form a complete sentence, indicating that it is a dependent clause. However, since it doesn’t have both subject and verb functioning together within a single unit, it remains a phrase, functioning as a temporal modifier.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Is this a phrase or a clause? Running through the park.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
"Running through the park" is a phrase because it lacks both a subject and a predicate. While it has a verb form ("running"), it doesn't have a subject to perform the action. A phrase can include a verb, but it cannot form a complete thought unless it also includes a subject. In this case, the subject is implied but not stated, and there is no complete sentence or idea. Therefore, it is a participial phrase that provides additional detail but cannot stand alone or express a complete thought.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Is this a phrase or a clause? She plays the piano beautifully.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
A. ClauseExplanation
"She plays the piano beautifully" is a clause because it contains both a subject ("She") and a verb ("plays"), along with a complete thought. The subject "She" performs the action of playing the piano, and the verb "plays" shows what she does. The sentence also includes a complement ("the piano") and an adverb ("beautifully") that modify the action, but these additional parts do not affect the fact that it is a complete clause. The presence of both a subject and a verb allows this to function as a complete sentence.Rate this question:
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- 25.
Is this a phrase or a clause? By the lake at dawn.
- A.
Clause
- B.
Phrase
Correct Answer
B. PhraseExplanation
"By the lake at dawn" is a phrase because it lacks both a subject and a verb to express a complete thought. This group of words describes a location and time but does not contain an action or a subject performing that action. It is a prepositional phrase, where the preposition "by" introduces a location, and "at dawn" functions as a time reference. However, without a subject and verb, it cannot stand alone as a sentence. A clause, in contrast, must have both subject and predicate to form a complete idea.Rate this question:
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Mar 18, 2025Quiz Edited by
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