It might sounds stupid/really simple question, but I get confused to identify whether the given statement is phrase/clause
The workers disputed
The workers disputed
Example: leaving behind a dog, smashing into a fence, etc.
In these, we have nouns dog, fence and we have verbs leaving, smashing. But in no case, is the noun acting as a subject which is doing the verb, I.e., dog is not leaving, fence is not smashing something etc.
Now let's see a clause:
Clauses are also a collection of nouns and verbs but in clauses, the noun acts as the subject and does the verb.
Example, Since she laughs at different men is a clause because the noun "she" is acting as the subject and doing the very
B "laughs".
Another example: Because she smiled at him is a clause with she as subject and smiled as verb.
Hope this clears your doubt.
Please remember that no question is silly/stupid
