What Is an Adjective Phrase? | Examples & Definition
An adjective phrase is a group of words that acts as an adjective in a sentence to give more information about a noun or pronoun.
The large, loud, and angry crowd protested for hours.
She is smarter than her brother.
What is an adjective phrase?
A phrase is a group of words that does not contain both a subject and a verb. So, an adjective phrase is a group of words (often containing an adjective) that functions as an adjective in a sentence to modify a noun or pronoun.
There are two types of adjective phrases: attributive and predicative. Attributive adjective phrases usually come before the noun they modify, while predicative adjective phrases follow the nounand a linking verb.
| Attributive adjective phrase examples | Predicative adjective phrase examples |
|---|---|
| The very hot coffee spilled on my arm. | The coffee was very hot. |
| I told you not to buy that run-down old car. | The car is run-down and old. |
In some cases, an attributive adjective phrase can immediately follow the noun it modifies. This is usually done for literary effect (e.g., “The bear, imposing and fierce, blocked the hikers’ path”). This is still considered an attributive adjective phrase because it directly modifies the noun, without being preceded by a linking verb.
Adjective phrases vs adjectival phrases
Often, the terms adjective phrase and adjectival phrase are used interchangeably. However, some sources differentiate them, saying that an adjective phrase includes an adjective as its primary word while an adjectival phrase does not. Instead, adjectival phrases often consist of a prepositional phrase (e.g., “the girl in the blue shirt”) or participial phrase (e.g., “the cat lying in the sun”).
The specific terminology matters less than the function of a phrase in a sentence. This article uses the term “adjective phrase” to describe all phrases that act as adjectives in a sentence by describing nouns.
Structure of adjective phrases
Adjective phrases can be formed through various word combinations. Some of the most common are shown in the table below.
| Adjective phrase form | Example |
|---|---|
| Series of adjectives | The big green plastic bin is for recycling. |
| Adverb (or intensifier) + adjective | This green smoothie is shockingly delicious.
My very spoiled nephew is coming to visit. |
| Comparative adjective or superlative adjective | Mel is faster than Oliver.
You are the most caring person I know. |
| Prepositional phrase | I want to wear the sweater with white stripes. |
| Participial phrase | The woman standing at the podium is my mentor. |
Word order in adjective phrases
The specific order of adjectives in English is typically understood intuitively by people who grow up speaking the language, but it can be tricky when learning English as a second language. The order is:
- Determiner (e.g., “the,” “this,” “each”)
- Opinion (e.g., “incredible,” “smart,” “funny”)
- Size (e.g., “small,” “enormous,” “long”)
- Age or shape (e.g., “young,” “circular,” “elderly”)
- Color (e.g., “blue,” “scarlet,” “light green”)
- Origin (e.g., “Japanese,” “international,” “Martian”)
- Material (e.g., “wool,” “plastic,” “brick”)
- This young smart man is my son.
- This smart young man is my son.
- She lives in the beautiful big red brick house on the corner.
Adjective phrases vs adjective clauses
Adjective phrases and adjective clauses are both groups of words that act as adjectives in sentences to modify nouns. However, adjective clauses (also called relative clauses) contain both a subject and a verb and typically begin with a relative pronoun, which often acts as the subject of the clause.
| Adjective phrase examples | Adjective clause examples |
|---|---|
| The notebook with a green cover is mine. | I want a notebook that has a green cover. |
| My sister is beautiful and funny. | My sister, who is beautiful and funny, would like to meet you. |
Frequently asked questions about adjective phrases
- What is an adjectival phrase?
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The term adjectival phrase is typically used interchangeably with adjective phrase. It is a group of words that acts as an adjective in a sentence to modify a noun or pronoun.
Some sources differentiate the two terms, though. In those sources, adjective phrases are those that are headed by an adjective (e.g., “the long, dark, winding road”), while adjectival phrases are those that act as an adjective but don’t contain an adjective. Adjectival phrases are often in the form of prepositional phrases (e.g., “the boy with the blue lunchbox”) or participial phrases (e.g., “the woman standing over there”).
- What is the difference between an adjective phrase and an adverb phrase?
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An adjective phrase is a group of words that acts as an adjective in a sentence by modifying a noun (e.g., “the weathered gray house”).
An adverbial phrase (or adverb phrase) is a group of words that acts as an adverb in a sentence by modifying a verb, adjective, adverb, or entire clause (e.g., “He ran very quickly”).
Adjective phrases can contain adverbs (e.g., “the exceptionally smart dog”). To distinguish between adjective phrases and adverb phrases, think about what the phrase modifies in the sentence.
- Can prepositional phrases be adjectives?
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Yes, prepositional phrases can act as adjective phrases in a sentence to give more information about a noun or pronoun (e.g., “The student in the back row is falling asleep”).
Prepositional phrases also have other functions, such as adverb phrases (e.g., “I went to the store”) and noun phrases (e.g., “Behind the bookshelf is the best hiding spot”).
