Adjective and Adverb Phrases
A prepositional phrase is made up of a preposition and a noun or pronoun, called
the object of the preposition. These phrases function either as adjectives by
modifying nouns and pronouns, or as adverbs by modifying verbs, adjectives, and
adverbs.
An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun by
telling what kind or which one.
Examples: The tepee of buffalo hide was sturdy.
(what kind of
tepee?)
The decoration on the hide was painted carefully.
(which
The opening in the front was narrow.
(which
decoration?)
opening?)
An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an
adverb by pointing out where, when, in what way (how), or to what extent.
Examples: We sat on the park bench.
(sat where?)
He should arrive within the hour.
(arrive when?)
Will you dance with me?
(in what way?)
Except for the border, the quilt was finished.
(to what
extent?)
A. Circle the adverb or adjective phrase in each sentence, then tell what kind
it is.
1. Walt scored fourteen points in twenty minutes.
_______________
2. The carpenter slipped off the ladder.
_______________
3. The Mardi Gras parade goes along Canal Street.
_______________
4. Ms. Reyes solved the problem about your claim.
_______________
5. The tape pulled a patch of paint from the wall.
_______________
6. Many of the viewers responded to the poll.
_______________
7. The information in the ad was incorrect.
_______________
8. In summer we eat dinner on the porch.
_______________
9. The bank served coffee to the customers in line.
_______________
10. The paper with no title belongs to me.
_______________
11. During the bus ride I talked with my seat mate.
_______________
12. The dime slipped between the slats of the boardwalk.
_______________
13. Gold and silver jewelry rose sharply in price.
_______________
14. Two of the candidates withdrew after the first primary.
_______________
15. Few of the landlords live on the premises.
_______________
16. The watchdog slept under the counter.
_______________
17. People in street shoes aren’t allowed in the gym.
_______________
18. At the party Ed danced only with Sue.
_______________
19. The country of Burma isolates itself from the West.
_______________
20. Nobody but Sue could think of a plan like that.
_______________
B. Write five ORIGINAL sentences with adverb phrases and five with
adjective phrases. You will have 10 ORIGINAL sentences.
1. Walt scored fourteen points in twenty minutes. (adv phrase applies to
scored.)
2. The carpenter slipped off the ladder. Off the ladder ( adverbial phrase,
applies to slip)
3. The Mardi Gras parade goes along Canal Street. (Adverbial phrase, applies
to goes)
4. Ms. Reyes solved the problem about your claim. Adjectival phrase, applies
to a noun, problem)
5. The tape pulled a patch of paint from the wall. (Adverbial phrase, applies to
pulled)
6. Many of the viewers responded to the poll. Adverbial phrase, applies to
responded)
7. The information in the ad was incorrect. Adjectival phrase, applies to a
noun, information
8. In summer we eat dinner on the porch. (Adverbial phrase, applies to eat)
9. The bank served coffee to the customers in line. (Adverbial phrase, applies
to served)(in line would be adjectival, applies to customers)
10. The paper with no title belongs to me. Adjectival phrase, applies to a noun,
paper)
11. During the bus ride I talked with my seat mate. (Adverbial phrase, applies
to talked)
12. The dime slipped between the slates of the boardwalk. (Adverbial phrase,
applies to slipped)
13. Gold and silver jewelry rose sharply in price. (Adverbial phrase, applies to
rose)
14. Two of the candidates withdrew after the first primary. When (Adverbial
phrase, applies to withdrew)
15. Few of the landlords live on the premises.(Adverbial phrase, applies to live)
16. The watchdog slept under the counter. (Adverbial phrase, applies to slept)
17. People in street shoes aren’t allowed in the gym. (Adjectival phrase,
applies to a noun, people)
18. At the party Ed danced only with Sue. (Adverbial phrase, applies to
danced)
19. The country of Burma isolates itself from the West. Adjectival phrase,
applies to a noun, country
20. Nobody but Sue could think of a plan like that. (Adverbial phrase, applies
to think)