Clauses and phrases · Year 6
A clause is a group of words with a verb (and usually a subject): the dog barked. A phrase is a group of words without a verb: after lunch, the old red bus. A main clause makes sense on its own; a subordinate clause starts with a word like because, when or if and depends on the main clause.
Key facts
- Clause or phrase? Look for a verb: when the bell rang (verb rang: a clause); during the storm (no verb: a phrase).
- Main clause: We stayed inside (it makes sense alone). Subordinate clause: because it was raining (it doesn't).
- Subordinating conjunctions start subordinate clauses: because, when, if, although, while, until, after, before, since, unless.
- When the subordinate clause comes first, put a comma after it: When the bell rang, the children ran outside.
- A noun phrase is built around one noun. Expand it with adjectives before and a phrase after: the tree → the tall old tree by the gate.