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Year 9 English — Phrases and clauses

Tell a phrase from a clause, and a main clause from a subordinate one.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Sort each group of words. A clause has its own subject and verb; a phrase does not.

    Groups: Phrase · Clause

    • a bunch of keys
    • on the wooden table
    • in the morning
    • after we had eaten
    • because she was late
    • when the bell rang

  2. 2.How many clauses are there in "He ran fast, but he missed the bus"?

  3. 3.Sort each clause by whether it could stand alone as a sentence.

    Groups: Main clause · Subordinate clause

    • because it was locked
    • she opened the box
    • birds were singing
    • the shop was closed
    • although the door creaked
    • when we arrived

  4. 4.In "We stayed indoors because it was raining", which part is the main clause?

    • a) We stayed indoors
    • b) because it was raining
    • c) stayed indoors because
    • d) it was raining

  5. 5.Match each term to its meaning.

    • a phrase
    • a main clause
    • a subordinate clause
    • a subject
    • a predicate
    • a clause that makes complete sense on its own
    • what the clause says about its subject
    • a clause that depends on another clause
    • a group of words with no subject and verb of its own
    • the person or thing the clause is about

  6. 6.Which group of words is a clause?

    • a) after the rain stopped
    • b) a crowded station platform
    • c) under the old bridge
    • d) with great difficulty

  7. 7.Which sentence contains two clauses?

    • a) A basket of fresh fruit on the step.
    • b) The boy won because he trained hard.
    • c) Running quickly down the hill.
    • d) The tall boy in the blue shirt won.

  8. 8.Sort each group of words by whether it contains a verb.

    Groups: Contains a verb · Contains no verb

    • a red umbrella
    • under the bench
    • we waited
    • the birds flew
    • he was sleeping
    • very carefully

Answer key — Year 9 English — Phrases and clauses

  1. 1. in the morning → Phrase; when the bell rang → Clause; on the wooden table → Phrase; because she was late → Clause; a bunch of keys → Phrase; after we had eaten → Clause
  2. 2. 2
  3. 3. the shop was closed → Main clause; when we arrived → Subordinate clause; she opened the box → Main clause; because it was locked → Subordinate clause; birds were singing → Main clause; although the door creaked → Subordinate clause
  4. 4. a) We stayed indoors
  5. 5. a phrase → a group of words with no subject and verb of its own; a main clause → a clause that makes complete sense on its own; a subordinate clause → a clause that depends on another clause; a subject → the person or thing the clause is about; a predicate → what the clause says about its subject
  6. 6. a) after the rain stopped
  7. 7. b) The boy won because he trained hard.
  8. 8. the birds flew → Contains a verb; a red umbrella → Contains no verb; we waited → Contains a verb; under the bench → Contains no verb; he was sleeping → Contains a verb; very carefully → Contains no verb