Phrases, Dependent Clauses, Independent Clauses

Question

The tall and majestic statue

Select one:

a. Phrase

b. Dependent clause

c. Independent clause

Answer 1

Because this is simply describing a noun (statue), this is simply a phrase, so the answer is A. It is not an independent clause because it could not stand alone as its own sentence. It is also not a dependent clause since they still require a noun and verb even though they are not full sentences.

Answer 2

A dependent clause is an incomplete sentence that needs further information to clarify and make it complete. Though it consists of a verb and a noun, it is usually preceded by a subordinating conjuction (and, because, though, etc.) or a relative pronoun (when, how, etc.)

i.e. "When he walked into the store" or "because he wasn't hungry"

In both of these we need more information about what happened when he walked in the store or what the importance of him not being hungry is.

An independent clause is a complete sentence that has all the required information to be understandable

i.e. He walked into the store. or He wasn't hungry.

A phrase is just a string of logically connected words that forms the basis for a clause/sentence.

In the case of this question, because there is no verb it cannot be considered a clause and therefore is a phrase as it can serve as the basis of a clause.