What is the Difference Between Phrase and Sentence?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between a phrase and a sentence lies in their structure and ability to express a complete thought.
Phrase:
- A phrase is a group of words acting together as a single unit.
- It does not contain a subject and a predicate.
- A phrase cannot stand alone and does not express a complete thought.
- If used alone, a phrase would be a sentence fragment and not a sentence.
- Phrases may contain nouns and verbs, but they cannot function by themselves as complete sentences.
Sentence:
- A sentence is a collection of words that include a subject and a predicate.
- It can stand alone and express a complete thought.
- A sentence is a collection of words used to express a complete thought.
- A sentence contains both a subject and a predicate.
In summary, a phrase is a group of words that cannot stand alone and does not express a complete thought, while a sentence is a collection of words that can stand alone and expresses a complete thought. Phrases are simpler units compared to sentences, as they do not contain a subject and a predicate.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Phrase and Sentence? Comparative Table: Phrase vs Sentence
Comparative Table: Phrase vs Sentence
Here is a table summarizing the differences between a phrase and a sentence:
Feature | Phrase | Sentence |
---|---|---|
Definition | A group of words acting as a unit in a sentence | A group of words that expresses a complete thought |
Complete Thought | Does not express a complete thought | Expresses a complete thought |
Subject and Predicate | Does not contain both a subject and a predicate | Contains both a subject and a predicate |
Information | Does not give complete information about the subject or predicate | Gives complete information about the subject or predicate |
Standing Alone | Cannot stand alone as a complete sentence | Can stand alone as a complete sentence |
Types | Noun phrase, verb phrase, adjective phrase, etc. | Simple, complex, compound, compound-complex |
Read more:
- a Phrase vs a Clause
- Sentence vs Clause
- Noun Clause vs Noun Phrase
- Idioms vs Phrases
- Sentence vs Utterance
- Verb Phrase vs Phrasal Verb
- Noun Phrase vs Adjective Phrase
- Simple vs Complex Sentence
- Prepositional Phrase vs Adverbial Phrase
- Compound vs Complex Sentences
- Thesis vs Topic Sentence
- Conviction vs Sentence
- Term vs Word
- Grammar vs Punctuation
- Imperative vs Interrogative Sentences
- Quote vs Quotation
- Passage vs Paragraph
- Grammar vs Vocabulary
- Syntax vs Diction