Recognizing Phrases and Clauses

Review of Definitions Parts of Speech (Basic) Parts of Speech (Advanced) Site Links: Writing Guidelines Writing Exercises

This exercise tests your understanding of phrases and clauses--these terms are important for an understanding of what constitutes a sentence. For each group of words, click on the appropriate answer: dependent clause, independent clause, infinitive phrase, participial phrase, or prepositional phrase. Should you answer correctly, you will be sent to the next group of words. Should you answer incorrectly, you will be sent to a definition of what you have chosen (to return, simply click the back button on your browser). For this exercise to be effective, please do not have your browser override this document's colors.

although the Titanic had water tight compartments dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase Congratulations, you have answered #1 correctly. Return to Top of Page to test the steel dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase Congratulations, you have answered #2 correctly. Return to Top of Page into the icy water dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase Congratulations, you have answered #3 correctly. Return to Top of Page when the lifeboats were lowered dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase Congratulations, you have answered #4 correctly. Return to Top of Page sinking in less than three hours dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase Congratulations, you have answered #5 correctly. Return to Top of Page otherwise, a ship would have arrived earlier dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase Congratulations, you have answered #6 correctly. Return to Top of Page below the bulkheads dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase Congratulations, you have answered #7 correctly. Return to Top of Page however, many lifeboats were not filled dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase Congratulations, you have answered #8 correctly. Return to Top of Page to understand the ship's rapid demise dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase Congratulations, you have answered #9 correctly. Return to Top of Page the hull breaking apart underwater dependent clause independent clause infinitive phrase participial phrase prepositional phrase You have reached the end of this exercise. Back to Top of Page Writing Courses

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