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An independent clause has both a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought; it can stand alone as a sentence.

An answering machine can record messages, but voice mail can do so much more.

Note: The above sentence has two clauses; each independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.

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Be careful to place participial phrases next to the nouns or pronouns they modify so that you don't create a dangling or misplaced modifier.

Panicked by the turbulence, I reminded my seatmate to breathe deeply. (This misplaced modifier is confusing: Am I panicked, or is my seatmate?)

Panicked by the turbulence, my seatmate needed to be reminded to breathe deeply. (Clear)

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A participial phrase includes a past or a present participle and its modifiers. It functions as an adjective.

Recalling the name of his favorite mystery writer, the man smiled. (The participial phrase modifies man.)

This laborer, retired recently, takes refuge in books. (The phrase modifies laborer.)

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An infinitive phrase includes an infinitive and its modifiers. It functions as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

To walk outside was a welcomed break. (Acting as a noun, this infinitive phrase is the subject of the sentence.)

After the holiday rush, we wanted some time to relax. (Acting as an adjective, this phrase modifies the noun time.)

He rubbed a rough hand through his bristly white hair to jog his memory. (Acting as an adverb, this phrase modifies rubbed.)

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A gerund phrase is a verbal phrase that includes a gerund and its modifiers. It functions as a noun.

Making rubber tires was once a hot, exhausting job. (The gerund phrase acts as the subject.)

Workers grew weary of sweating through their shifts. (The gerund phrase is the object of the preposition of.)

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