BASIC GRAMMAR REVIEW 2

TECHNICAL WRITING

NAME_________________________________ Score_________
Phrases and Clauses

Groups of words are commonly classified as phrases, clauses or sentences.

A phrase is a group of two or more words acting as a single function unit in a sentence but not having a subject
and verb of its own. A clause, on the other hand, is a group of words acting as subject, object, complement, or
modifier, but having a subject and verb of its own. Thus, the expression “going to a movie" a phrase and "that
we are going to a movie" is a clause.

Difference Between a Clause and a Sentence

Basically, these two groups of words contain subjects and predicates. Clauses, however, are of two principal
kinds: main or independent clauses and subordinate or dependent clauses. A main clause is an independent
thought unit, while the thought of the subordinate clause is dependent on another structure for completeness
of meaning. Hence, a main clause may constitute a sentence as in most instances it does. The main clause
should include all modifiers of any words in the clause. The construction who is a notorious criminal is a
subordinate clause and Jose, who is a notorious criminal was caught by a special force of Manila policemen,
is a sentence. From the foregoing example, you can see clearly that who is a notorious criminal depends on
another construction, Jose was caught by a special force of Manila policemen for completeness of thought. In
the same manner, the construction Jose is a notorious criminal, since it is an independent thought unit, may
be classified as an independent clause or a sentence.

Fragments vs. Complete Sentences

As was mentioned earlier, the sentence embodies a complete thought process and is not
subordinated to another structure. You must bear this in mind when constructing sentences in
order to avoid so-called sentence fragments. A fragment is an incomplete communication. It
does not possess true sentence sense; hence, it does not merit an independent structure.
… who studied the problem (part of a sentence)
Who studied the problem? (sentence)
Sometimes a sentence fragment occurs when you separate a subordinate clause or a phrase
from the main clause by a period as in the following examples:
 Sentence fragment
Some people always complain about the
economic situation. Although they don't do
anything to improve it.
It was difficult to decide which alternative to
follow. To accept the money or to try for a
bigger prize.
Full sentences
Some people always complain about the
economic situation, although they don't do
anything about improving it.
It was difficult to decide whether to accept
the money or try for a bigger prize.

Practice Exercises 2.
A. Write S if the group of words is a sentence, F if it is a fragment.
If the group of words is a sentence, punctuate it properly, if it is a fragment, convert it
into a sentence.
1. The much-awaited event in the country's history
2. That we are not animals but men
3. To be right is sometimes to be unpopular
4. The times call for painful decisions
5. Love that can move mountains
6. All the tensions of the past building up and exploding
7. Expressing thought and feeling without words
8. A show of unity was evident
9. Why don't you support the human rights movement?
10. The longing in her eyes after so many years of misery