The Internal Structure of Adjective Phrases in English
Reference Sheet
Adverb Phrase
Adverb phrases are phrases with an adverb functioning as the head of the phrase plus any
other adverbs functioning as adverb phrase modifiers and perform the grammatical
function of adjective phrase modifier within adjective phrases.
Adverb Phrase | Adjective
very | smart
Prepositional Phrase
Prepositions are traditionally defined as "words that indicate relationships between nouns,
adjectives, and verbs and other nouns, adjectives, and verbs." Prepositional phrases
perform the grammatical functions of adjective phrase modifier and adjective phrase
complement within adjective phrases.
Adjective | Prepositional Phrase
fond | of pumpkin cookies
Verb Phrase
Verbs are traditionally defined as "words that express an action or state" and perform the
grammatical function of adjective phrase complement within adjective phrases.
Adjective | Verb Phrase
glad | to help
Noun Clause
Noun clauses are subordinate clauses that perform the grammatical function of adjective
phrase complement within adjective phrases.
Noun | Noun Clause
afraid | that the potato salad is rancid