Adjectives and Adjective Phrases

1. Adjectives and Adjective Phrases Jon Ray

2. Basics • Definition- Traditionally defined as words that describe nouns • Adjective phrases formed by an adjective and modifiers of complements such as: adverbs and prepositional phrases • Four functions: • Adjective phrase head • Noun phrase modifier • Subject complement • Object complement

3. Adjective Phrase Head • Adjectives first function as the heads of adjective phrases • Blue • Very bored • Unbearably annoying

4. Noun Phrase Modifier • Noun phrase modifiers are a word, clause or phrase that describes a noun or noun phrase • The black cat drank the fresh cream • My hyper puppy has destroyed the new pillows • Finals week resulted in a stressful week for students

5. Subject Complement • A word, clause, or phrase that follows a verb and describes the subject • Christmas cookies smell delicious • The apple pie tastes sweet • The patient appears sick

6. Object Complement • A word, clause, or phrase that directly follows and describes the direct object • The jury declared that the defendant was guilty • The kids are coloring the trees purple • The pilot flew the plane up high

7. Quiz • Identify the adjective or adjective phrase and also what function they serve • Subject Complement • Noun Phrase Modifier • Direct Object Complement • The businessman lost his dark brown briefcase • The cake tastes sickeningly sweet • The farmer painted the barn red • The woman planted purple flowers in her garden • Under the bed is filthy