1. Ask the "What?" or "How?" Question:
* Adverbial Phrase: Answers the questions "How?" "When?" "Where?" "Why?" or "To what extent?" about the verb.
* Adjectival Phrase: Answers the question "What kind?" or "Which one?" about a noun or pronoun.
2. Identify the Word Modified:
* Adverbial Phrase: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
* Adjectival Phrase: Modifies a noun or pronoun.
Examples:
Adverbial Phrases:
* After the storm: (modifies the verb "came" - When did it come?) The dog came after the storm.
* With great care: (modifies the verb "painted" - How did she paint?) She painted the portrait with great care.
* In the garden: (modifies the verb "played" - Where did they play?) The children played in the garden.
Adjectival Phrases:
* Of great value: (modifies the noun "painting" - What kind of painting?) The painting of great value was auctioned off.
* On the table: (modifies the noun "book" - Which book?) The book on the table is mine.
* With red stripes: (modifies the noun "shirt" - What kind of shirt?) He wore a shirt with red stripes.
Key Points:
* Prepositional phrases always start with a preposition (e.g., on, in, at, with, of, to, for, by, from).
* They consist of the preposition and its object, often with modifiers.
* Adverbial phrases function as adverbs, adding information about the verb.
* Adjectival phrases function as adjectives, providing further details about nouns or pronouns.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or want to try identifying some phrases yourself!