LoginAdjective Phrases
In this lesson we learn about adjective phrases, which are essential groups of words that function as adjectives to describe or modify nouns. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Is an Adjective Phrase?
An adjective phrase is a group of words that functions as an adjective in a sentence. It consists of an adjective and any modifiers or complements that may be present.
Adjective phrases can be used to provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. They can modify the noun or pronoun by describing its size, shape, color, age, value, or any other qualities.
Adjective Phrases: Structure
The structure of an adjective phrase typically consists of a head adjective and a modifier with or without an adjective complement. Modifiers are mainly adverbs that are usually used before adjectives to intensify or describe their meaning. Adjective complements provide further information or elaborate on the adjective. Look at the examples:
This coffee is very cold.
Here, the adverb "very" intensifies the meaning of the adjective "cold".
The country's economy is dependent on natural resources.
In this sentence, "on natural resources" acts as the complement for the adjective "dependent".
She is really interested in Hip-Hop.
This adjective phrase uses both a modifier (really) and a complement (in Hip-Hop).
Enough
"Enough" is an adverb, but it is an exceptional case, as it appears after the adjective, not before it. Here are some exmaples:
The room is big enough to accommodate everyone.
The weather is warm enough to wear a T-shirt.
Position in the Sentence
Adjective phrases can appear:
Before the nouns they modify → Prepositive adjectives
After the nouns they modify → Postpositive adjectives
Prepositive Adjective Phrases
Adjective phrases are typically placed before the noun or pronoun they modify, and are known as prepositive adjective phrases.
A very big game is on Sunday.
I am reading a really amazing book.
Postpositive Adjective Phrases
In some cases, adjective phrases are placed after the noun or pronoun they modify and are known as postpositive adjective phrases. Postpositive adjective phrases are often used in formal, literary, or descriptive contexts. They can also be found in set phrases and fixed expressions.
He is the lawyer responsible for the case.
I'm looking for a book intriguing enough to keep me reading all night.
Adjective Phrase vs. Adjective Clause
Both adjective clauses and adjective phrases modify a noun or pronoun. However, an adjective phrase does not contain a verb, while an adjective clause does.
The pizza you delivered this evening was not what we've ordered.
In this example, the clause 'you delivered this evening' has a verb 'delivered' and modifies the noun 'pizza'.
We ate a very delicious pizza this evening.
In this example, the phrase 'very delicious' is an adjective phrase describing 'The pizza.' It does not have a verb.
Review
Adjective phrases are a set of words that are used together and all of them modify the same noun or pronoun. They have different names based on their position in the clause. Check out the list.
attributive adjective phrases are placed before the noun or pronoun.
predicative adjective phrases are placed after the noun or pronoun.
Quiz:
Which of the following sentences contains an adjective phrase with an adjective complement?
The movie is very interesting.
The book is full of surprises.
The cake looks delicious.
The weather is quite pleasant.
Sort the words to form a sentence with an adjective phrase that includes both a modifier (adverb) and an adjective complement.
Match the adjective phrase with the correct description of its structure.
Which of the following sentences contains a postpositive adjective phrase?
He is the man responsible for the accident.
They bought a really big house.
My car is fast enough to win the race.
She is happy with her decision.
Fill in the blanks with correct words based on the content of the lesson. (There are two extra options.)
Adjective phrases provide more information about a noun or
.
describe the strength or intensity of the adjective.
A
adds details to the adjective in the phrase.
A
adjective phrase comes before the noun.
An adjective
contains a verb and modifies a noun or pronoun, while an adjective
does not contain a verb.
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