UNIT 4 PROSE PHRASES & CLAUSES
Finite And Non-Finite Verbs:
Words which denote an action are known as verbs. We classify verbs into two types. They are:
1. Finite verbs:
a. My brother goes to temple daily.
b. We have already finished the project.
The words printed in bold letters are finite verbs.
1. Finite verbs indicate the tense and time of actions.
2. Finite verbs undergo a change as and when the Subject (number or person) changes.
2. Non-Finite Verbs:
1. Non-finite verbs do not indicate the tense and time of actions.
2. Non-finite verbs do not change even when the Subject (number or person) changes.
There are three kinds of non-finite verbs.
1. An infinitive (to + verb)
2. A gerund (verb + ing)
3. A participle
Example:
a. My son likes to watch cricket matches. (Infinitive)
b. Playing chess is my hobby. (Gerund)
c. Driven out of the kingdom, the king hid himself in a forest. (Participle)
PHRASE:
• A Phrase is a group of words without a finite verb.
Example :
an intelligent boy, a costly pen, an interesting story
The above group of words are known as phrases. It doesn’t contain a finite verb.
CLAUSE:
• A Clause is a group of words which consists of a finite verb.
Example :
a boy who is intelligent, a pen which is costly, a story which is interesting
The groups of words given above are clauses
More Examples:
• Having completed the work, the boy went out to play.
The underlined part of the sentence, doesn’t contain a finite verb. This group of words is a Phrase.
• After the boy had completed the work, he went out to play.
The underlined part of the sentence contains a finite verb. Hence, we call it a clause.
Kinds of Phrases :
We have three kinds of phrases according to their functions in sentences.
1. Adjective Phrase:
It is a group of words that does the work of an adjective. It describes the noun.
Example : We bought chairs made of wood for our auditorium.
2. Adverb Phrase:
It is a phrase which functions as an adverb. This Phrase supplies some information about the action.
Example : When the patient was taken to the emergency ward, the doctors rushed there in a
hurried manner.
3 Noun Phrase:
This is a phrase which acts as a noun.
Example : A boy of class X became the house captain.
Identify the phrases in the following sentences and classify them as Adjective, Adverb or Noun phrase.
1. The girl in blue saree is my sister. (Adjective phrase)
2. Kohli hopes to win the trophy. (Noun phrase)
3. The train halts at every junction. (Adverb)
4. I have never seen such a picture. (Noun)
5. She worked in an enthusiastic manner. (Adverb)
Kinds Of Clauses
1. Adverb Clause :
It modifies the verb, that is, it tells something about the action. This Clause gives details about the
action.
Example: The students were sitting quietly in the classroom until the teacher arrived.
(The highlighted part of the sentence speaks about the time of the action)
2. Noun Clause :
This clause functions as a noun.
Example: Whoever wins the contest will get a prize.
(The highlighted portion acts as a noun here)
3. Adjective Clause :
It acts as an adjective and describes a noun.
Example: I went to the place where I was born.
(The highlighted words describes the place)
Identify the clauses and classify them accordingly.
1. Ramu bought a pen that doesn’t write well. (Adjective Clause)
2. Come back as soon as possible. (Adverb Clause)
3. Most of her friends whom she had invited attended her wedding. (Adjective Clause)
4. My brother visits my father whenever he comes to Chennai. (Adverb Clause)
5. Call me in case there is an emergency. (Adverb Clause)
6. Until the sun sets, the old woman cannot step out of her house. (Adverb Clause)
7. She knows where I go. (Noun Clause)
8. You can go wherever you want. (Adverb Clause)