Phrases and Clauses Worksheet – 90 Word Groups, Answer Key

Q: Is there an answer key?

Yes. It prints as the last page unless you untick Add an answer key as the last page under More options. It circles the right answer under every word group of the sheet you print.

All 90 word groups

Phrase or clause 50

a plate of cookies
across the busy street
after the concert
after the game ended
after the long game
after we planted the seeds
although the sun was out
as the bus pulled away
at the end of the day
the baby smiled
because it was raining
before lunch
before the movie started
behind the red barn
beside the lake
birds sing
by the front door
the dog barked
down the long hall
during the storm
for a long time
the frog jumped
the girl in the blue coat
he won the race

Show all 90 word groups (66 more)

Phrase or clause, continued

I lost my hat
if you finish early
in a quiet voice
in the morning
the kids cheered
the lights went out
my little brother
near the pond
on the top shelf
once the paint dries
over the tall fence
she reads every night
since the store was closed
the tall green tree
through the dark forest
under the old bridge
unless it rains
until the snow melts
up the steep hill
we ate lunch
when the whistle blew
where the river bends
while the kettle boiled
the wind howled
with a big smile
without any help

Independent or dependent 40

after the class planted a garden
after the ducks swam away
although I was tired
although the snow covered the car
as soon as the bell rings
because I found a shiny rock
because the bus was late
because the plant needs water
before the store opens
the bread is warm
the bus was late
the class planted a garden
the ducks swam away
even though the team practiced
Grandpa told a story
I found a shiny rock
if the rain stops
if you can sit still
the kitten slept all day
the lake froze in January
Leo finished his book
the moon rose over the hill
my sister plays the drums
our teacher smiled
the plant needs water
the rain stopped
she painted a sunset
since Leo finished his book
since we had time
the snow covered the car
the store opens at nine
the team practiced after school
unless you hurry
until the bread is warm
we packed our lunches
when our teacher smiled
when the moon rose
whenever it snows
while the kitten slept
you can sit here

How this list was compiled: Written by hand for this page: 90 word groups. In one set each is tagged phrase (no subject and verb working together) or clause (a subject and a verb); in the other each clause is tagged independent (it can stand alone as a sentence) or dependent (a word such as because, when, if or although keeps it from standing alone). Checked against Wikipedia's Clause and Phrase articles, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clause and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrase, read 2026-09-23. No person, brand or character is named. Licence: own work

How it works

Each free sheet draws 10 of 90 word groups. A clause has a subject and a verb working together (after the game ended); a phrase does not (after the long game).

Read the full guide

The subject and verb test

Ask who or what, then what they do. The game ended has both, so it is a clause. After the long game names a game but says nothing it does, so it is a phrase.

Independent or dependent

Set has a second sheet of 40 clauses. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence (the rain stopped). A dependent clause starts with a word such as because, when, if or although and cannot (if the rain stops).

Many dependent clauses in the second set reuse an independent one: the bus was late, because the bus was late.

Questions and answers

What is the difference between a phrase and a clause?

A clause has a subject and a verb: the dog barked. A phrase is a group of words without that pair: under the old bridge, my little brother. A clause can be a sentence; a phrase never is on its own.

What grade learns phrases and clauses?

The Common Core asks seventh graders to explain the function of phrases and clauses (L.7.1a). Many classes start the idea sooner with dependent clauses and complex sentences in grade 3.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. It prints as the last page unless you untick Add an answer key as the last page under More options. It circles the right answer under every word group of the sheet you print.