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Paradigms


Explanations


Vocabulary


Web Resources

How to tell the difference between 
a
sentence, a clause, and a phrase

A sentence must have a subject (expressed or not), a verb, and a complete thought (or "predicate") supplied by a variety of constructions.

The boy strikes. Puer pulsat.
The boy strikes the rock. Puer saxum pulsat.
The boy strikes with a sharp word. Puer pulsat cum acro verbo.

A clause contains a subject and a verb, but can or cannot contain a complete thought. Clauses that can stand on their own two feet as sentences are called either "independent" or "main"; clauses that lack a complete thought are termed either "dependent" or "subordinate".

examples coming soon....  
   

A phrase is a collection of words without a subject/verb or complete thought. Latin examples coming soon....

prepositional phrases  "over the river," "through the woods," to grandmother's house..."
infinitive phrases "To respect criticism is a sign of maturity."
participial phrases "Biting my nails, I waited anxiously..."
gerund phrases "I saw the running of the bulls"
appositive phrases "My father, the doctor, gave me drugs.

copyright 2001 Janice Siegel, All Rights Reserved
send comments to: Janice Siegel (jfsiege@ilstu.edu)

date this page was edited last: 06/29/2005
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