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 Phrases

What 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.

phrase
Which 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.

phrase
while watching the football game
No subject PHRASE

Sam ate
Subject and verb work together CLAUSE
popcorn and chips
No verb PHRASE
his wife read a magazine
Subject and verb work together - CLAUSE

More Practice 1
Is this a clause or a phrase?
as soon as the game was over
Sam and his wife took a walk
in the rain

Answers
as soon as the game was over
Subject and verb work together - CLAUSE
Sam and his wife took a walk
Subject and verb work together - CLAUSE
in the rain
No 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 Clause
An 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 thought
Can stand alone as a sentence

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Examples of Independent
Clauses
Mary hummed and sewed
Subject + verb
Forms a complete thought
Can stand alone as a sentence

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Examples of Independent
Clauses
she listened to her children

playing outside
Subject + verb
Forms a complete thought
Can stand alone as a sentence

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Dependent Clause
A dependent clause:
Has a subject and verb that work together
Can NOT stand alone as a sentence

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

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When
While

Examples:

Where

After

As

Before

Since

Whether
Once
Until

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

Example of a Dependent
Clause
because Ralph was ill
Subject + verb
Can NOT stand alone as a sentence

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

*Dependent clause marker word because begins the clause

Example of a Dependent
Clause
before the farmer planted his

crops
Subject + verb
Can NOT stand alone as a sentence

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

*Dependent clause marker word before begins the clause

Practice 1
Independent or Dependent Clause?
Jim bent over the wounded toe

Practice 1
.
Jim bent over the wounded toe
Subject and verb work together
Forms a complete thought
Can stand alone as a sentence
INDEPENDENT clause

Practice 2
Independent or Dependent Clause?
while the bandage was being

unwound

Practice 2
.
while the bandage was being unwound
Subject and verb work together
Does NOT form a complete thought
Can NOT stand alone as a sentence
DEPENDENT clause
*

NOTE: marker word while begins clause

Practice 3
Independent or Dependent Clause?
Tom whitewashed with vigor

Practice 3
.
Tom whitewashed with vigor
Subject and verb work together
Forms a complete thought
Can stand alone as a sentence
INDEPENDENT clause

Practice 4
Independent or Dependent Clause?
as Aunt Polly retired triumphantly

Practice 4
.
as Aunt Polly retired triumphantly
Subject and verb work together
Does NOT form a complete thought
Can NOT stand alone as a sentence
DEPENDENT clause
*

NOTE: marker word as begins clause

Summary
Commas 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.