The Adjective Phrase

What is an Adjective Phrase ?

A word group with an adjective as its head. This adjective may be accompanied by modifiers, and/or qualifiers.

Adjective phrases modify nouns. They may be attributive (appearing

before the noun) or predicative (appearing after a linking verb), but not all adjectives can be used in both positions.

Attributive The highly emotive actor gave a wonderful

performance.

Predicative The curtains look far too long.• (This is a predicative adjective phrase. The

linking verb is look.)

The Structure of the Adjective Phrase

The main word in an adjective phrase is an “ADJECTIVE”.

The structure of the typical adjective phrase

(pre-modifiers) adjective (post-modifiers)

Some post-modifiers complete what is implied in the meaning of the adjective. For example, if we say Tom is afraid we intend to mean that Tom is filled with fear in some respect. The post-modifier specifies in what respect :

[1] Tom is afraid of spiders. for his job. to say anything. that no one will believe him.

A few adjectives must have a post-modifiers :

[2] Mary is fond of children.[3] I am aware that he is abroad.[4] The contract is subject to approval by

my committee.

Some adjective that take obligatory post-modifiers resemble verbs in their meaning

[1a] Tom fears that no one will believe him.

[2a] Mary likes children.[3a] I know that he is abroad.[4a] The contract requires

approval by my committee.

Here are some examples of structure of the adjective phrase

- Adjective happy- Pre-modifiers + adjective very happy- Adjective + post-modifiers happy to see you- Pre-modifiers + adjective + post-modifiers very happy that you could join us

Ex 4.25 Underline each adjective phrases (p.81)

• 1) Fragrant homemade bread is becoming common in many American homes.

• 3) The first bread was patted by hand.• 5) Bakers later devised tools to produce more

highly refined flour• 6) White bread was mixed with milk, oil, and

salt.• 8) Bread lovers now buy black bread by choice

Ex 4.25 Underline each adjective phrases (p.81)

• 1) Fragrant homemade bread is becoming common in many American homes.

• 3) The first bread was patted by hand.• 5) Bakers later devised tools to produce more

highly refined flour• 6) White bread was mixed with milk, oil, and

salt.• 8) Bread lovers now buy black bread by choice

Ex 4.25 Underline each adjective phrases (p.81)

• 1) Fragrant homemade bread is becoming common in many American homes.

• 3) The first bread was patted by hand.• 5) Bakers later devised tools to produce more

highly refined flour• 6) White bread was mixed with milk, oil, and

salt.• 8) Bread lovers now buy black bread by choice

Ex 4.25 Underline each adjective phrases (p.81)

• 1) Fragrant homemade bread is becoming common in many American homes.

• 3) The first bread was patted by hand.• 5) Bakers later devised tools to produce more

highly refined flour• 6) White bread was mixed with milk, oil, and

salt.• 8) Bread lovers now buy black bread by choice

Ex 4.25 Underline each adjective phrases (p.81)

• 1) Fragrant homemade bread is becoming common in many American homes.

• 3) The first bread was patted by hand.• 5) Bakers later devised tools to produce more

highly refined flour• 6) White bread was mixed with milk, oil, and

salt.• 8) Bread lovers now buy black bread by choice

Ex 4.25 Underline each adjective phrases (p.81)

• 1) Fragrant homemade bread is becoming common in many American homes.

• 3) The first bread was patted by hand.• 5) Bakers later devised tools to produce more

highly refined flour• 6) White bread was mixed with milk, oil, and

salt.• 8) Bread lovers now buy black bread by choice

Functions of adjective phrases1. pre-modifier in a noun phrase He was a tall man, dressed in a blue suit.2. Subject complement The photographs were quite professional.

3. Object complement My parents made me aware of my filial

responsibilities.4. post-modifier in a noun phrase The OS/2 makes good use of the memory

available.

Indefinite pronouns, such as somebody, require the adjective phrase to follow them :

You should choose somebody older.I bought something quite expensive today.

There are also some set expressions where the adjective follows the noun :

Heir apparent attorney generalCourt martial notary public

Here are some more example of adjective phrase as post-modifiers

The earliest time possibleIn years pastThe people responsibleThe weapons involved

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 1) The former champion is now very ill.

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 1) The former champion is now very ill.• Prm/ sC

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 2) He has a rare viral inflection.

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 2) He has a rare viral inflection.• Prm, Prm

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 3) The drugs he takes make him sick.

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 3) The drugs he takes make him sick.• oC

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 4) His body looks no different than it looked before.

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 4) His body looks no different than it looked before.

• sC

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 5) His doctor has arranged preliminary test for heart surgery.

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 5) His doctor has arranged preliminary test for heart surgery.

• Prm

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 6) His general health is good, but surgery is always somewhat risky.

Ex 4.27 Identify the function (p.81)

• PrM (Pre-modifier in noun phrase)• PM (Post-modifier in noun phrase)• sC (Subject Complement)• oC (Object Complement)

• 6) His general health is good, but surgery is always somewhat risky.

• Prm, sC, Prm

Central adjectives are adjective that can fulfil all the four possible functions. There are also some adjectives that can be only pre-modifiers and others that cannot be pre-modifiers.

Adjectives can be partially converted into nouns and then like nouns can function as heads of noun phrases. Typically, such phrases refer to well-established classes of persons, such as the poor, the sick, the rich, The English, The Irish. These noun phrases are plural.

The sick require immediate attention.The British are coming.

Some adjectives, particularly superlatives, function as heads of noun phrases that are abstract. These noun phrases are singular :

The best is yet to come.The latest is that our team is winning

Here are some example of such phrases in set expressions.

• From the sublime to the ridiculous• Out of the ordinary• We have much in common.• I’m leaving for good.• I’ll tell you in private.• The situation went from bad to

worse.

เอกสารอ�างอง

• หนั�งส อ Structure and Grammar • http

://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/adjectivephraseterm.htm

• http://examples.yourdictionary.com/adjective-phrase-examples.html

• http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/adjective_phrases.htm

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