What is the Difference Between Phrase and Sentence?

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.

Comparative Table: Phrase vs Sentence

Here is a table summarizing the differences between a phrase and a sentence: