Understanding the Adjective Phrase
Adjective phrases act just like adjectives. They modify, describe, or give more information about a noun or pronoun. Some examples are: without a penny, of great importance, devoid of life, covered with dirt, running in the park, and man of the hour.
Some adjective phrases modify nouns or noun phrases. Following are some sentences with the phrases underlined:
Thevery smallkitten jumped at the big dog.
The costof the carwas way too high.
The mancovered with sweat, trudged his way home.
Somethingin the cornerwas moving.
The big bugunder the blanketis moving towards me.
Other adjective phrases modify the predicate of the sentence. Here are some examples:
Extra buttons camewith the coat.
Gremlins cause mischiefinside of machines.
We were saddenedby the newsof his demise.
The brownies smelldeliciously sweet.
I was delightedthat he was chosen.
Adjective phrases can also modify objects and will follow the word they are modifying. Examples are:
She wanted to paint her roomlemony yellow.
My new kitten makes mevery happy.
I sometimes pity peopleliving in large cities.
We are collecting money for childrenborn with heart defects.
They were proud of their teamwinning the championship.
Famous Adjective Phrases
Here are some famous adjective phrases from William Shakespeare.
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
And shining morning face, creeping like a snail unwillingly to school
Eaten out of house and home
Even at the turning of the tide
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child
I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
