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.
