Phrases and Clauses Quiz

Level: Intermediate / Upper-intermediate 

In this phrases and clauses quiz you have to decide whether the highlighted part of the sentence is a phrase or a clause.

Before starting the quiz review the key differences between phrases and clauses. These are the main differences:

  • Clause: a group of words that has a subject and a verb and express a complete thought
  • Phrase: a related group of words that work together but they do not have a subject and a verb

Phrases and Clauses Quiz

Choose whether the highlighted part in red is a phrase or a clause.
1. Faced with so many problems, I decided to get professional help.


There is no subject-verb in this part and on its own it is not a complete thought. It is a past participle phrase..

2.She arrived to work on time in spite of leaving home so late.


This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.

3.Before taking any medicine, I always speak to my doctor.


This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.

4.Mark has lived outside of his country for 14 years.


There is no subject-verb. This is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb.

5.In the morning it’s best to get up early.


This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.

6.Having always been keen on caring for people, Susan decided to become a nurse.


There is no subject-verb. This is a reduced adverbial clause, reduced by turning this part into a present participle phrase.

7.They were annoyed by the baby crying so loudly.


There is no subject-verb. An '-ing' verb can't be a main verb. This is a present participle phrase. It comes from reducing a relative clause (the baby who was crying so loudly).

8.Although injured, John managed to crawl to safety.


This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.

9.I will be running for President.


This is a verb phrase.

10.I like the guy with the green shirt.


This has a subject-verb and is a complete thought on its own so it is a clause.

More Clause Quizzes:



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