Adjective Phrases
* Function: Describe a noun or pronoun. They act as adjectives, adding detail to the noun.
* Structure: They always begin with a preposition and are followed by a noun or pronoun (sometimes with modifiers).
* Example: "The book on the table is mine."
* "on the table" modifies "book" (the noun), telling us where the book is located.
Adverb Phrases
* Function: Modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They answer questions like "how," "when," "where," "why," or "to what extent."
* Structure: They also begin with a preposition and are followed by a noun or pronoun (sometimes with modifiers).
* Example: "I walked to the store."
* "to the store" modifies "walked" (the verb), telling us where the person walked.
Key Differences
1. What they modify: Adjective phrases modify nouns or pronouns; adverb phrases modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
2. The "what" question: Ask "what?" about the phrase. If it modifies a noun, it's an adjective phrase. If it modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, it's an adverb phrase.
Example:
* "The house with the green roof is beautiful."
* "with the green roof" modifies "house" (noun), so it's an adjective phrase.
* "She sang with enthusiasm."
* "with enthusiasm" modifies "sang" (verb), so it's an adverb phrase.
Tips for Identifying
* Look for the preposition: Both types of phrases start with a preposition.
* Consider the function: What does the phrase tell us? Is it describing a noun or pronoun? Or is it modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb?
If you're still unsure, try replacing the phrase with a single word. If the word functions as an adjective, the phrase is likely an adjective phrase. If the word functions as an adverb, the phrase is likely an adverb phrase.