Noun Phrase
* Function: Acts as a noun in a sentence. It can be the subject, object, or complement.
* Structure: A noun phrase typically has a noun as its headword and can include modifiers (adjectives, adverbs, other nouns, etc.) that describe or qualify the noun.
* Examples:
* The big red ball (subject)
* My new car (object)
* That amazing view (complement)
Adjective Phrase
* Function: Modifies a noun or pronoun, providing more information about its qualities.
* Structure: An adjective phrase has an adjective as its headword and may include modifiers that describe or qualify the adjective.
* Examples:
* Extremely happy (modifying "person")
* Very tired (modifying "dog")
* Made of wood (modifying "table")
Key Differences
* Headword: Noun phrases have a noun as their headword, while adjective phrases have an adjective.
* Function: Noun phrases act like nouns, while adjective phrases modify nouns (or pronouns).
* Position: Noun phrases can occupy various positions in a sentence, while adjective phrases typically precede the noun they modify.
Let's illustrate with an example:
* The very large, fluffy dog with brown eyes (noun phrase)
* very large, fluffy (adjective phrases modifying "dog")
* with brown eyes (prepositional phrase modifying "dog")
In this example, the entire phrase is a noun phrase, acting as the subject. Within that phrase, there are two adjective phrases ("very large, fluffy") that modify the noun "dog."