Question

is the group of words in bold a phrase or a clause? although both are formed by mineral deposits in caverns, stalactites are the formations that hang from the ceiling of the cave, whereas stalagmites build up from the ground. phrase clause

Explanation:

A clause contains a subject and a predicate (a verb and what it acts on or relates to). The bolded group "whereas stalagmites build up from the ground" has a subject ("stalagmites") and a predicate ("build up from the ground"), along with the subordinating conjunction "whereas". A phrase lacks a subject - predicate structure. So it is a clause.

Answer:

clause