Adjective Phrase

The good news is, you don't have to be a grammar buff to understand what an adjective phrase is or how it works. In fact, we use these phrases all the time without even thinking. Let's take a closer look.

How Can I Identify an Adjective Phrase?

The trick to identifying an adjective phrase is to look at the first word within the group of words. If the first word is an adverb or a preposition, there's a good chance you're looking at an adjective phrase.

Ask yourself, what is this phrase modifying? Is it describing a noun? If it is, in fact, modifying the noun or subject of a sentence, then you're looking at an adjective phrase.

What Does an Adjective Phrase Consist Of?

An adjective phrase can be formed out of an intensifier and an adjective. An example might be:

The dazzlingly beautiful woman walked down the street.

Sometimes, one adjective isn't descriptive enough. In this case, a string of adjectives can work together as an adjective phrase to describe a noun, such as: She had the most silky, smooth, and radiant hair I've ever seen.

In the sentence, 'Monica is a sweet girl,' there is one adjective, namely, sweet. However, in the sentence, 'Monica is a sweet, intelligent, beautiful girl,' we see an adjectival phrase that paints a much more in-depth picture of Monica.

What Can Adjective Phrases Do in a Sentence?

Adjective phrases don't simply modify nouns. They can also modify pronouns. Let's look at two examples:

• He is from Boston.
• Tom is from Boston.

Each of these sentences has an adjective phrase. In the first example, the adjective phrase from Boston points back to the pronoun (and subject) 'he.' In the second example, the adjective phrase from Boston points back to the noun (and subject) 'Tom.'

It doesn't matter if the noun is a pronoun or not; the adjective phrase still functions in the same manner. So, if you're looking for a more complex way to modify a noun - beyond a simple adjective - try using an adjective phrase. You can either use several adjectives in a row, begin a phrase with a preposition, or start with an adverb to modify the noun at hand.

Examples of Adjective Phrases

Of course, the best way to understand this type of phrase is to see it in action. Let's take a look at an example with an adjective and one with an adjective phrase:

• The beautiful house sits atop the hill.
• The house that is so beautiful sits atop the hill.

These two sentences mean the same thing. However, the former has an adjective, while the latter has an adjectival phrase.

Here's another example:

• The angry dog barks all day long.
• The dog that seems very angry barks all day long.

Again, these two sentences mean the same thing. However, the former has an adjective, while the latter has an adjectival phrase.

Some adjective phrases modify nouns or noun phrases. Here are a few examples:

• The very small kitten jumped at the big dog.
• The cost of the car was way too high.
• The man covered with sweat trudged his way home.
• Something in the corner was moving.
• The big bug under the blanket is coming toward me.

Other adjective phrases modify the predicate of the sentence. Here are some examples:

• Extra buttons came with the coat.
• Gremlins cause mischief inside of machines.
• We were saddened by the news of his demise.
• The brownies smell deliciously sweet.
• I was delighted he was chosen for the part.

Adjective phrases can also modify objects and will follow the word they are modifying. Here are some examples:

• She wanted to paint her room lemony yellow.
• My new kitten makes me very happy.
• I sometimes pity people living in large cities.
• We are collecting money for children born with heart defects.
• They were proud of their team winning the championship.