Phrases and Clauses Quiz

In this phrases and clauses quiz you have to decide whether the highlighted part of the sentence is a phrase or a clause.

Before starting the quiz review the key differences between phrases and clauses. These are the main differences:

Clause: a group of words that has a subject and a verb and express a complete thought
Phrase: a related group of words that work together but they do not have a subject and a verb

Phrases and Clauses Quiz

Choose whether the highlighted part in red is a phrase or a clause.

1. Faced with so many problems , I decided to get professional help.

There is no subject-verb in this part and on its own it is not a complete thought. It is a past participle phrase..

2. She arrived to work on time in spite of leaving home so late.

This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.

3. Before taking any medicine, I always speak to my doctor .

This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.

4. Mark has lived outside of his country for 14 years .

There is no subject-verb. This is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb.

5. In the morning it’s best to get up early .

This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.

6. Having always been keen on caring for people , Susan decided to become a nurse.

There is no subject-verb. This is a reduced adverbial clause, reduced by turning this part into a present participle phrase.

7. They were annoyed by the baby crying so loudly .

There is no subject-verb. An '-ing' verb can't be a main verb. This is a present participle phrase. It comes from reducing a relative clause (the baby who was crying so loudly).

8. Although injured, John managed to crawl to safety .

This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.

9. I will be running for President.

This is a verb phrase.

10. I like the guy with the green shirt.

This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.