grammar terms& comma confusion

1.Is a phrase the same as a dependent clause?
2.How is it that this sentence is grammatically correct?
"One customer in the line spoke out and ranted continuously about the unfair price, the other customers rallying and demanding the same reduction in the cost."
(Found in a grammar book)
Doesn't this sentence need more than a comma?

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by mas94010

1.Is a phrase the same as a dependent clause?
2.How is it that this sentence is grammatically correct?
"One customer in the line spoke out and ranted continuously about the unfair price, the other customers rallying and demanding the same reduction in the cost."
(Found in a grammar book)
Doesn't this sentence need more than a comma?

1- No. A phrase is just a group of words. A clause contains a verb, and a dependent clause is not the major clause of a sentence.
2- This doesn't need any more punctuation, as the two parts balance each other. Punctuation like a semi-colon is used when there is a less direct connection or to introduce something like a conclusion. Many people would probably use a dash here, though.

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by mas94010

1.Is a phrase the same as a dependent clause?

No, it is not.

Originally Posted by mas94010

2.How is it that this sentence is grammatically correct?
"One customer in the line spoke out and ranted continuously about the unfair price, the other customers rallying and demanding the same reduction in the cost."
(Found in a grammar book)
Doesn't this sentence need more than a comma?

Unfortunately, the sentence lacks clarity. It is unclear to me what "rallying" is, and "the other customers rallying and demanding the same reduction in the cost" refers to something that is not there. There is no indication that the first customer got a reduction in the cost, so there is no reason for other customers to demand the same reduction in the cost.

No change in punctuation is necessary.

Regards,
RonBee
8)

[vvaann]

"One customer in the line spoke out and ranted continuously about the unfair price, the other customers rallying and demanding the same reduction in the cost."

In the sentence above, is the part "...the other customers rellying and demanding..." an application of smt called "absolute clause"? If so, could you please clarify the usage of this kind of clause?
Thanks,