Answer to Question #229171 in English for Shane

Question

1. What are the phrases? Explain and give specific samples.
2. What are clauses? Explain and give specific samples
3. In linguistics. Differentiate the prescriptivist approach from Descriptivist approach. Explain. Give examples.

Answer 1

Phrases

Phrases are groups of words that define a concept; they are used as a unit in a sentence. Phrases can be short phrases or long. Common phrases include; verb, infinitive, noun, prepositional, participial, and gerund.

Clauses

Clauses are a group of words that consist of a verb and other components of a sentence or part of a sentence. For example

1. John was eating a fish sandwich

 (Clause)

2. Wickliffe had a great career life, but he is mainly remembered for reforms in the accounting department  

     (Clause)                                                           (Clause)

Difference Between Prescriptivist and Descriptivist Approach

The prescriptivist approach focus on imposing rules on the usage of language to determine wrong and correct usage. Examples of these rules are:

·        Do not use a preposition at the end of a sentence

·        Do not separate infinitives

Descriptivist, on the other, is an approach that examines the language used by a person based on elements like proper use or language rules; it is therefore nonjudgmental. According to the descriptivism approach, there is no right or wrong way of using a language.