Learn Grammar from basic concept to detail (Phrases and Clauses) Description, Examples, Conditions, Notes, Short-cut Tips regarding phrases and clauses

Introduction

Language

Language is a means of giving and receiving information. It is the system of sounds, words, or patterns that is used by humans to communicate thoughts, feelings, emotions, and attitudes. The use of language is divided into spoken and written forms. Spoken is the primary form of language while written is secondary.

Many languages are spoken all over the world. Language varies from region to region and language is also modified according to the purpose of the speaker and the time and audience.

Grammar

Every language in the world is based on grammar. We cannot even imagine a language without grammar. The vocabulary alone cannot constitute a language. 

For example 'go', 'come, pen' are all English words, but they can indicate meaning only when these words are arranged following the rules of English grammar. 

Thus grammar is the science of language that fixes the rules for meaningful arrangement of words into sequences and clear patterns. It is, therefore, the study of grammar is very essential to use a language properly. If words are bricks for the mansion of language, grammar is the cement, that joins words to create order and symmetry.

Letter

A written or printed sign representing a sound used in speech is known as a letter. 'A' is the first letter of the alphabet.

Letters are of two kinds in English:

i. Capital letters: A, B, C, D,...

i. Small letters: a, b, c, d, ...

Alphabet

The set of letters used in writing a language is known as an alphabet.

According to the sound, the alphabet is divided into two kinds

1. Vowel

i. Consonant

Vowel

A speech sound made with the vibration of the vocal cords, but without audible friction is known as a vowel.

A letter or letters representing vowels are only five.

a, e, i, o u.

Consonant

A speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed, and which to form a syllable must be combined with the vowel is known as a consonant.

A letter or letters representing consonants are b, c, d,f, g, h, j, k, l,

m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, and z.

(Note:- 'w' and y' are also known as semi-vowels.)

Syllable

A unit of pronunciation uttered without interruption, forming the whole of a part of a word and usually having one vowel sound O, then with a consonant or consonants before or after is known as a syllable.

e.g There are two syllables in 'water': water

There is one syllable in 'man': 'man

Stress

The stress is the result of an extra force, used in speaking, on a particular word or syllable. The rhythm of English is based on stress.

The normal rules for placing stress are as follows:

I. One-syllable words of major word-classes such as nouns, main verbs, adjectives, adverbs and, more than two-syllable prepositions lexical words, and are stressed.

I. Words of the minor word- classes such as articles, pronouns, auxiliary verbs, and prepositions are grammatical words and are unstressed pronouns,

e.g. We've decided to go to the industrial exhibition.

Word

A sound or combination of sounds forming meaningful elements of speech is known as a word. A letter or group of letters constitutes a word.

e.g book, pen, and school.

Phrase

A group of words forming a short expression, but not a sentence is called a phrase.

Kinds of Phrase

Phrases are of seven kinds in English.

i. Noun phrase

ii. Adjective phrase

ii. Verbal phrase

iv. Adverbial phrase

v. Prepositional phrase

vi. Conjunctional phrase

vii. Interjectional phrase

Noun phrase

A noun phrase is a group of words that does the work of a man. e.g. He has seen many ups and downs in his life.

In this sentence, the group of words' ups and downs' has done the work of a noun. Therefore, the group of words 'ups and downs' is a noun phrase.

Adjectival phrase

An adjectival phrase is a group of words that does the work of an adjective. 

e.g.He has studied so many books...

In this sentence, the group of words 'so many' has done the work of an adjective.

 Therefore, the group of words 'so many' is an adjectival phrase.

Verbal phrase

A verbal phrase is a group of words that does the work of a verb. 

e.g He is searching for food.

In this sentence, the group of words searching for has done the work of a verb. The group of words 'searching for is therefore a verbal phrase.

Adverbial phrase

An adverbial phrase is a group of words that does the work of an adverb.

e.g He tried again and again.

In this sentence, the group of words 'again and again' has done the work of an adverb. The group of words 'again and again is, therefore, an adverbial phrase.

Prepositional phrase

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that does the work of a preposition.

e.g He stood in front of me.

In this sentence the group of words 'in front of' has done the work of a preposition. Therefore, the group of words 'in front of' is a prepositional phrase.

Conjunctional phrase

A conjunctional phrase is a group of words that does the work of conjunction.

e.g. She replied to him as soon as it was possible.

In this sentence, the group of words 'as soon as' has done the work of conjunction. The group of words 'as soon as' is, therefore, a conjunctional phrase.

Interjectional phrase

An interjectional phrase is a group of words that does the work of an interjection.

e.g. What a wonderful job!

In this sentence, the group of words 'a wonderful' has done the work of an interjection. Therefore, the group of words 'a wonderful 'is an interjectional phrase.

Note:-A subject and a finite verb must form a clause while the phrase contains neither a subject nor a finite verb, it is generally formed with two or more than two words)

Clause

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A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb, forming a sentence or a part of a sentence.

A clause, in this respect, has a subject and predicate of its own and forms a part of a longer sentence. A sentence may consist of several clauses.

e.g. She told me that she was coming.

In this sentence, there are two clauses. 'She told me is a clause because it has a subject. 'She' and a predicate 'told me and it makes a complete sentence, but it is a part of another full sentence 'that she was coming'. In the same way 'that she was coming is another clause. It has also a subject 'she' and a predicate ' was coming. The word 'that is a conjunction that has been used to connect the two

clause.

Kinds of clauses

Clauses are of three kinds, according to their structure:

a. Co-ordinate clause

b. Subordinate clause

c. Principal clause

Co-ordinate clause

Two or more clauses in a sentence that are equal in importance, have similar patterns, and are often joined by coordinating conjunctions such as 'and, 'but' etc. are known as coordinate clauses.

e.g. Ram is a good boy but Hari is a bad boy.

Here the two clauses ' Ram is a good boy' and 'Hari is a bad boy' are coordinated clauses because both of the patterns are equal in importance, and are joined by a coordinating conjunction 'but'.

And, but, either. Or, neither. Nor, so, therefore, as well as make co-ordinate clauses.

Subordinate clause

The subordinate clause is also known as the dependent clause. The clause which is usually introduced by a noun, adjective, or that functions like a noun, adjective, or adverb are known as subordinate clauses.

e.g He broke his leg when he was playing.

In this sentence, the word 'when's a subordinating conjunction

and has been used to make subordinate clauses 'when he was playing.

So the clause when he was playing 'is subordinate.

When, who, which, whom, whose, that, as soon as, as long as, till,

until, if, because, though/although, so that, etc. make subordinate

clauses.

Kinds of subordinate clause

Subordinate clauses are of three kinds:

a. Noun clause

b. Adjective clause

C. Adverb clause

Noun clause

A noun clause is a group of words that does the work of a noun.

e.g. I know that he is intelligent.

In this sentence, the clause 'that he is intelligent' is a noun clause because it has done the work of a noun.

Note- noun can be used as a subject, object, or implement, similarly a noun clause can also be used as a subject of complement.

Here are some examples of noun clauses.

Everybody knows who is Sita.

I will keep in mind what you have just told

I know where you live.

He doesn't find out which pen is mine.

Adjective clause

An adjective clause is a group of words that does the work of an adjective. 

eg This is the girl who came to my house yesterday.

In this sentence, the clause who came to my house yesterday is an adjective clause because it describes the noun 'girl'

A note:-An adjective clause is introduced with relative pronouns who, which, that, whom, whose and relative adverbs where, when, and why. So it is also called a relative clause.

Here are some examples of adjective clauses 

l ate the mangoes which were testy.

She is the woman whose children are reading in my school

Please return the book which I gave you yesterday.

Adverb clause

An adverb clause is a group of words that does the work of an adverb.

e.g. He arrived when it was dark.

In this sentence, the clause when it was dark' is an adverb clause because it modifies the verb arrived.

Here are some examples of adverb clauses

They had a picnic although the weather was terrible.

He studied hard so that he could secure good marks in the

examination.

Relative clause

Relative clauses are usually introduced with who, which, that, whom, whose, where, or what. There are three kinds of relative clauses in English: defining, non-defining and connective.

1. Defining relative clause

Defining relative clauses describe the preceding noun in such a way as to distinguish it from other nouns of the same class. A clause of this kind is essential for a clear understanding of the noun.

e.g This is the school where I read

In this sentence where I read is the defining relative clause. If we omit this clause, the sentence becomes meaningless.

Note on usage

There is no comma between a noun and a defining relative clause. Defining relative clauses usually follow 'the + noun, but they can also be used with a + noun.

Relative pronouns; who, whom, whose, that, which, and what are used in defining relative clauses.

Relative pronouns used in defining relative clauses

Who's generally used for persons as the subject of a verb.

e.g. The woman who came to my house yesterday was a nurse.

Non-defining Relative clause

The non-defining relative clause tells us more about someone or something, but the information in these clauses doesn't help us to define what we are talking about. It's not necessary information.

For eg: Hary's father, who lives in Ireland, has 7 grandchildren.

             My grandmother who is dead now came from the South of America.

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