A phrase

A group of words that does not have a subject- verb combination is called a phrase. Here,
absence of subject- verb combination is vital. A phrase can have a subject or a verb, but it
won't have both simultaneously. Let's take some examples:

 The brown dog.( An adjective phrase)

 On the table.( A prepositional phrase)
 Has been a strong guy.( A verb phrase)
 Very beautiful.( An adverbial phrase)
 Smoking a cigarette.( A gerund phrase)
 To look at the sky.( An infinitive phrase)
 A broken car.( A participle phrase)
A clause

A group of words that has a subject- verb combination is known as a clause. Here, the
presence of subject- verb combination is important. If it doesn't have a subject- verb
combination, it jumps into the category of phrases, hence, will not be called a clause
anymore.

Let's go through some examples for better understanding.

 She has a dog.

 I love making pizza.
 Because Max wanted to marry Rita.
Now, let's talk about the categories of clauses. Clauses, majority are segregated into two
categories: 1. Independent clause 2. Dependent clause

An Independent clause

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone and gives a complete idea on
its own. An independent clause is a sentence. Let's go through some examples.

Examples:

 I love pizzas.
 He's a man of his words.
 Julie never lies to me.
 We are going to Australia next week.
A dependent clause

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone on its own and depends on
some other parts to render a complete idea or meaning. A dependent clause doesn't have the
capability to become a sentence. It uses subordinating conjunctions in them.

Examples:

 Since it was Sunday.

 As if i was stealing the mobile phone.
 Even if I fail the examination.
Dependent clauses raise doubts in the mind of the readers. They can only render a
comprehensive idea if brought together with independent clauses. Let's go through these
examples one more time after conjugating them up with independent clauses.

 I didn't go to college since it was Sunday.

 They caught me as if I was stealing the mobile phone.
 My father will beat the hell out of me if I fail the examination.
A Sentence

A sentence is a group words that give a complete meaning on its own. It is also known as an
independent clause.

Examples:

 I love making people laugh.

 You work hard.
 This is my dog.
Summary:

 Every sentence is a clause, but every clause isn't a sentence. For a clause to be
called a sentence, it has to be an independent clause.
 A dependent clause isn't a sentence.
 An independent clause is a sentence.
 Both sentences and clauses have many phrases in them.
I hope that helps to understand the difference between them.