Which term is defined as a group of words with a subject and a verb?

• A. Independent clause
• B. Subordinate clause
• C. Clauses
• D. Prepositional phrase

Answer: (C)

A clause is a unit of speech that contains a subject and a verb, and it can express a complete thought or be part of a larger sentence. That basic feature—having both a subject and a verb—is what distinguishes a clause from other word groupings like phrases, which may include a noun or preposition without a finite verb.

Among the options, the plural term Clauses fits this definition because it refers to groups of words that have both a subject and a verb. The other choices are more specific or do not match the definition: an independent clause is a clause that can stand alone as a sentence but is still a type of clause, a subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone, and a prepositional phrase lacks a finite verb entirely. So the general concept that best matches the definition is Clauses.