Phrases, Clauses, Difference between Independent & Dependent Clause & That and Which BBS First Year Business English

 

Link for video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnl0rKPsfx4

Phrases

The identification of a group of words (phrases) helps to understand sentence structure. Phrase (https://youtu.be/qnl0rKPsfx4 ) is a group of related words that function as a part of speech. A phrase does not contain both a subject and a verb. For example: as big as a house, to the park, walking along the highway. It can be a noun phrase, verb phrase, adjective phrase, adverb phrase or preposition phrase.  

a.     A verb phrase is a group of a structural unit of related words with an auxiliary verb and the main verb Examples: will be sending, is considered, have been waiting.

b.     A noun phrase is a group of related words led by a noun that includes modifiers like a, the, with her. Examples: The lovely summer wedding, my home address, the fall semester etc.

c.      A prepositional phrase is a group of related words headed by a preposition. Examples: to college, before a concert, under the table, for a reason.

d.     An adjective phrase is a group of related words headed by an adjective. Examples: beautiful and smart girls, brave but weak man, 15 years of age

Participle Phrase

A participle phrase is a group of related words headed by a present or past tense verb. It serves as an adjective or adverb. Examples: having been promoted, seeing clearly, and waiting anxiously.

Infinitive Phrase

An infinitive phrase is a group of words with a to + verb. Examples: to play, to promote, to interact, to apply etc.

Gerund Phrase

A gerund phrase is a group of words with verb^-ing including related words. It serves as a noun. Examples: reading newspapers, watching television, your willingness to help etc.

Why use a phrase in writing or speaking?

To make writing interesting, to add variety and colour to writing

To make writing strong

To strengthen writing by providing specific details 

Quiz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbBUHGl1XDk 

Clauses

Clause (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTrb1mY0Qf4 ) is a group of related words including both a subject and a predicate. It can be of two types i.e. independent clause and a dependent clause. The Independent clause also refers to the main clause, expresses a complete thought and can stand alone. Example:

a.      Devendra listens daily to music on his cell phone. (Independent Clause)

b.     The business administration program averages 150 graduates yearly. (Independent Clause)

The dependent clause (https://youtu.be/sAo6LbCUAQo ) refers to the subordinate clause because it does not express a piece of complete information and it can’t stand alone. Therefore, it depends on an independent clause. It contains both a subject and a predicate. It is introduced with subordinate conjunctions like because, since, while, or by relative pronouns like who, which, that etc. Examples:

a.      if the order arrived on Monday. ( Subordinate Conjunction)

b.     that the product meets requirements. (relative pronoun)

Difference between Independent and Dependent Clause

The use of subordinate conjunction or relative pronoun at beginning of the clause distinguishes a dependent clause from an independent clause such as:

a.      If the order arrived on Monday. ( Dependent Clause)

b.     The order arrived on Monday. ( Independent Clause)

c.      that the product meets requirements. ( Dependent Clause)

d.     The product meets requirements. ( Independent Clause)

Quiz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xevyUN_XnIM 

Difference between ‘That’ and ‘Which’

Difference between the use of ‘that’ and ‘which’ (https://youtu.be/toHuxDBmteM)

We use ‘that’ in clauses for the essential meaning of to sentence but we use ‘which’ for clauses adding information that would not change sentence meaning if it is omitted such as:

a.      My cell that I bought last month is not working.

b.     The boy that is wearing a hat is my brother.

c.      My cell, which is Samsung, is out of use.

d.     They redecorated the office, which was destroyed last year. 

 

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