This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Phrases and Clauses”.
1. What is true about a phrase?
a) It has both a subject and object but no verb
b) It has only a verb
c) It doesn’t have a subject, object or verb
d) It doesn’t have a subject or a verb or both
View Answer
Explanation: A phrase is a group of words which can’t stand on its own and doesn’t make complete sense. For example: Manish is going to Mumbai for two weeks. In this sentence, ‘for two weeks’ is the phrase. Here, ‘for two weeks’ doesn’t have a subject neither a verb.
2. What is not true about a clause?
a) It may stand on its own
b) Has both a subject and a verb
c) Does not have either a subject or a verb
d) It may give a complete meaning
View Answer
Explanation: A clause is a group of words which has both a subject and a verb. There are two types of clauses. Independent clauses can stand on their own and give complete meaning. For example: ‘She is running.’ Dependent clauses cannot stand on their own and do not give complete meaning. For example: ‘Although she is tired…’.
3. Identify whether the group of highlighted words is a dependent clause, independent clause, phrase or an interrogative sentence.
After the movie, my friends came over to my house.
a) Independent clause
b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase
d) An interrogative sentence
View Answer
Explanation: Dependent clauses generally begin with words like ‘although, since, etc.’ Also ‘after the movie’, doesn’t have a complete meaning and needs an independent clause to complete its meaning.
4. Identify whether the group of highlighted words is a dependent clause, independent clause, phrase or an interrogative sentence.
The boy who won the running race every year broke his leg.
a) Independent clause
b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase
d) An interrogative sentence
View Answer
Explanation: A phrase is a group of words which doesn’t have a subject or a verb. ‘who won the running race every year’ neither has a subject nor verb.
5. Identify whether the group of highlighted words is a dependent clause, independent clause, phrase or an interrogative sentence.
Although I kept waiting for him, he didn’t come.
a) Independent clause
b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase
d) An interrogative sentence
View Answer
Explanation: ‘he didn’t come’ is a simple sentence containing a subject and a verb and can stand on its own. This makes it an independent clause.
6. Identify whether the group of highlighted words is a dependent clause, independent clause, phrase or an interrogative sentence.
Is Delhi the capital of India?
a) Independent clause
b) Dependent clause
c) Phrase
d) An interrogative sentence
View Answer
Explanation: ‘Is Delhi the capital of India?’ is a question and those sentences which ask questions are called interrogative sentences.
7. Identify the phrase in the following sentence.
He hid under the table while we were playing hide and seek.
a) Under the table
b) While we were playing hide and seek
c) He hid
d) While we were
View Answer
Explanation: ‘under the table’ tells us where the boy hid, making it a phrase.
8. Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence.
They couldn’t start the football match since it was raining.
a) They couldn’t start
b) The football match
c) It was raining
d) Since it was raining
View Answer
Explanation: ‘since it was raining’ cannot stand on its own and needs an independent clause to complete its meaning. This makes it a dependent clause.
9. Is the sentence ‘He decided to buy a new house.’ a clause?
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: ‘He decided to buy a new house.’ has a subject (he) and a verb (decided) and has a complete meaning. Therefore it is an independent clause.
10. In the sentence ‘Tanya and Diya play badminton in the evening.’ is ‘in the evening’ a clause?
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: ‘in the evening’ is a phrase as it tells us when Tanya and Diya play badminton.
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