Which term refers to a unit that has a subject and a predicate and the other elements of a sentence?

Which term refers to a unit that has a subject and a predicate and the other elements of a sentence?

• A. Clause
• B. Phrase
• C. Simple sentence
• D. Sentence fragment

Answer: (A)

The key idea is recognizing what defines a basic building block of a sentence: a unit that has a subject and a predicate, and can include other elements that complete meaning. This is exactly what a clause is. It can be independent (standing alone as a complete sentence) or dependent (needing another clause to form a full sentence). The description mentions a unit with a subject and a predicate and the other elements of a sentence, which fits a clause precisely. A phrase lacks both a subject and a predicate, so it isn’t a clause. A simple sentence is a type of clause that can stand alone, but the term asked for is broader and includes both independent and dependent clauses. A sentence fragment is incomplete because it misses essential structure, so it isn’t the correct unit.

The key idea is recognizing what defines a basic building block of a sentence: a unit that has a subject and a predicate, and can include other elements that complete meaning. This is exactly what a clause is. It can be independent (standing alone as a complete sentence) or dependent (needing another clause to form a full sentence). The description mentions a unit with a subject and a predicate and the other elements of a sentence, which fits a clause precisely. A phrase lacks both a subject and a predicate, so it isn’t a clause. A simple sentence is a type of clause that can stand alone, but the term asked for is broader and includes both independent and dependent clauses. A sentence fragment is incomplete because it misses essential structure, so it isn’t the correct unit.