Which of the following describes the difference between a clause and a phrase? (1 point)
Responses
A clause modifies another word in the sentence, but a phrase does not.
A clause modifies another word in the sentence, but a phrase does not.
A clause occurs at the beginning of a sentence, but a phrase does not.
A clause occurs at the beginning of a sentence, but a phrase does not.
A clause has a subject and a verb, but a phrase does not.
A clause has a subject and a verb, but a phrase does not.
A clause has commas around it or after it, but a phrase does not.
A clause has a subject and a verb, but a phrase does not.
The correct response is: A clause has a subject and a verb, but a phrase does not.
The correct option that describes the difference between a clause and a phrase is:
A clause has a subject and a verb, but a phrase does not.
To understand this, let's first define what a clause and a phrase are:
- A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. It can express a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence or be part of a larger sentence.
- A phrase, on the other hand, is a group of words that lacks a subject and a verb. It does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
When determining whether a group of words is a clause or a phrase, you should look for the presence of a subject and a verb. If the group of words contains both a subject and a verb, it is a clause. If it lacks either a subject or a verb or both, it is a phrase.
Let's apply this knowledge to the given options:
Option 1: "A clause modifies another word in the sentence, but a phrase does not." - This statement is incorrect because both clauses and phrases can modify other words in a sentence. So, this is not the correct answer.
Option 2: "A clause occurs at the beginning of a sentence, but a phrase does not." - This statement is incorrect as well. Both clauses and phrases can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Therefore, this is not the correct answer.
Option 3: "A clause has a subject and a verb, but a phrase does not." - This is the correct statement. As mentioned earlier, a clause contains both a subject and a verb, which allow it to express a complete thought. In contrast, a phrase lacks a subject and a verb, making it unable to function as a complete sentence.
Option 4: "A clause has commas around it or after it, but a phrase does not." - This statement is not correct. The presence or absence of commas around a group of words does not determine whether it is a clause or a phrase. Commas are used for different purposes such as indicating pauses, separating items in a list, or setting off non-essential information but they are not a defining characteristic of clauses or phrases.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
A clause has a subject and a verb, but a phrase does not.