Phrases:  A phrase is a meaningful group of words without a subject and a verb.

There is one sentence in the reading that is a little bit different.  It says, “The colonies won their independence because of the revolution.”  This sentence is really a combination of two ideas.  Each idea could be a separate sentence.  The reading could say,

 The colonies won their independence.

The reason for winning was the revolution.

The separate sentences don’t make as much sense as the combination.  To combine them and not repeat ideas so much, use the words because of.  The combination turns a whole sentence into a phrase.  It is also shorter and clearer.

 Combine the following sets of sentences into one.  Use because of for the sentence that gives a reason.

1. The settlers were angry.  The taxes made the settlers angry.

ANSWER The settlers were angry because of the taxes.

2. The southern plantation owners had a quiet, rich life.  Their cheap workers made this life possible.

  ANSWER The southern plantation owners had a quiet, rich life because of their cheap workers.

3. England worried about the colonies.  Their unity scared England.

ANSWER England worried about the colonies because of their unity.  

4. Life in the northern colonies was hard.  The winter weather in the northern colonies was hard.

  ANSWER Life in the northern colonies was hard because of the winter weather.

5. The independent colonies got together.  The war with England united them.

  ANSWER The independent colonies got together because of the war with England.

Clauses: A clause is a meaningful group of words with a subject and a verb.  

Look at the following sentence from one of the readings. “You will recognize the names of the American Colonies because they are now states.”  The sentence is really a combination of two complete sentences.

You will recognize the names of the American Colonies. 

They are now states.

The reason for recognizing the names is clearer when the word because is used.

The two ideas must be combined exactly as they are for sense.  The word because makes the second sentence a clause showing a reason. It is a clause because it has a subject (they) and a verb (are).

Combine the following sets of sentences into one.  Use the word because for the reason.  Make sure that the because part keeps its subject and verb.   

 1. The plantation owners needed slaves.  The slaves made the cotton crop possible.

  ANSWER The plantation owners needed slaves because the slaves made the cotton crop possible.

2. Many people settled in the northern colonies.  These people wanted religious freedom.

ANSWER Many people settled in the northern colonies because these people wanted religious freedom.

3. We still enjoy many freedoms.  The colonists won these freedoms for us.

  ANSWER We still enjoy many freedoms because the colonists won these freedoms for us.

4. After 1680, indentured servants were not used much.  African slaves made indentured servants unnecessary.

ANSWER After 1680, indentured servantgs were not used much because African slaves made indentured servants unnecessary.  

5. The American Colonies were supposed to obey England.  The colonies belonged to England.

  ANSWER The American Colonies were supposed to obey England because the colonies belonged to England.