Which of the following describes the difference between a clause and a phrase?
1. A clause occurs at the beginning of a sentence, but a phrase does not.
2. A clause has a subject and verb, but phrase does not
3. A clause has commas around it or after it, but a phrase does not
4. A clause modifies another word in the sentence, but a phrase does not
2. A clause has a subject and verb, but a phrase does not.
The correct answer is option 2: A clause has a subject and verb, but a phrase does not.
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb (predicate) and expresses a complete thought or idea. It can function as a standalone sentence or as part of a larger sentence.
On the other hand, a phrase is a group of related words that does not contain a subject and verb. It does not express a complete thought or idea and cannot stand alone as a sentence. Phrases often function as modifiers or as parts of a larger sentence.
Option 1 is incorrect because clauses can occur anywhere in a sentence, not just at the beginning. Option 3 is incorrect because punctuation like commas is not a defining characteristic of clauses or phrases. Option 4 is incorrect because both clauses and phrases can modify other words in a sentence.
The correct answer is option 2. A clause has a subject and verb, whereas a phrase does not.
To determine the difference between a clause and a phrase, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify if there is a subject and verb: A clause always contains a subject and verb. The subject is the doer of the action, and the verb is the action itself. If you can identify a subject and verb in the group of words, it is a clause. If not, it is a phrase.
2. Check for a complete thought: A clause can be an independent clause if it expresses a complete thought and can stand on its own as a sentence. On the other hand, if the group of words does not express a complete thought and cannot function as a sentence, it is a dependent clause or a phrase.
In this case, option 2 correctly describes the difference between a clause and a phrase. A clause has a subject and verb, while a phrase does not. Keep in mind that options 1, 3, and 4 do not accurately distinguish between clauses and phrases.