Phrase and Clause

Phrase and Clause

Comparison

Definitions

A clause is defined as a group of related words that contains a subject and predicate (verb).
e.g. he came.

A phrase is defined as a group of related words that does not contain a subject and a verb. 
e.g. on the table.

Consider the following example.

                He is laughing at a joker.

The above sentence has two parts “he is laughing” and “at a joker”.

The first part of the sentence “he is laughing” is a clause because it has a subject (he) and a predicate (is laughing).

The second part of the sentence “at a joker” is a phrase because it does not contain subject and verb.

The difference  between a clause and a phrase is that a clause consists of both subject and verb, but a phrase lacks a subject and verb.

Examples.
The underlined part of each of following sentences shows a clause, while the rest part (non-underlined) of each sentence shows a phrase.

         He reached   school in  time.
         I          was  standing near  a     wall.
         They     are   singing in a     loud voice.
         She      made      tea for           the  guests.
         He a     bought    a     book for  his   friend.
         I          will  meet       him in     my   office.
         You look handsome in this picture.