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What is the difference between a clause and an absolute phrase?

Published in Grammar 2 mins read

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb, while an absolute phrase is a group of words that modifies an entire sentence, but lacks a subject or a verb.

Clauses

  • Independent Clauses: Can stand alone as a complete sentence.
    • Example: The cat sat on the mat.
  • Dependent Clauses: Cannot stand alone and depend on an independent clause for meaning.
    • Example: Because the cat was hungry.

Absolute Phrases

  • Modify the entire sentence: Provide additional information about the entire sentence.
    • Example: The cat sat on the mat, its tail twitching*.
  • Contain a noun or pronoun: Typically followed by a participle (a verb ending in -ing or -ed).
    • Example: The cat sat on the mat, its eyes wide with curiosity*.

Key Differences

  • Subjects and Verbs: Clauses contain both a subject and a verb, while absolute phrases lack a subject and a verb.
  • Sentence Structure: Clauses are integral parts of a sentence, while absolute phrases are modifiers that add detail to the entire sentence.
  • Punctuation: Absolute phrases are often separated from the main clause by a comma.

In short, a clause is a building block of a sentence, while an absolute phrase is a modifier that adds extra information.

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