Clauses
* Definition: A clause is a group of words that contains a subject (who or what is performing the action) and a verb (the action).
* Types:
* Independent Clause: A complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. Example: "The cat sat on the mat."
* Dependent Clause: A group of words that has a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence. It depends on an independent clause to make complete sense. Example: "Because the cat sat on the mat."
* Essential Parts: Subject and verb.
* Function: Clauses add meaning and information to a sentence. They can provide context, explanations, or additional details.
Prepositional Phrases
* Definition: A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition (e.g., "on," "in," "with," "at," "by") and ends with a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition).
* Structure: Preposition + Object of the preposition.
* Function: Prepositional phrases act as modifiers (adding details to a noun or verb). They tell us:
* Where: "The cat sat on the mat."
* When: "I will meet you at noon."
* How: "She wrote the letter with a pen."
* What: "I am happy with my new car."
Key Differences:
| Feature | Clause | Prepositional Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Subject and Verb | Contains both | Does not contain both |
| Can Stand Alone | Independent Clauses can | Never can stand alone |
| Function | Adds meaning and information | Acts as a modifier |
Example:
"The cat sat on the mat because it was tired."
* "The cat sat on the mat" is an independent clause.
* "because it was tired" is a dependent clause.
* "on the mat" is a prepositional phrase.
Remember: Clauses are complete thoughts, while prepositional phrases are just part of a sentence, adding detail and context.