Download L2 Adjective and Adverb Phrases

L2 Adjective and Adverb Phrases
Summer English Enrichment ‘11
Over the course of the next few years, you will learn about many types of phrases, such as
gerund, infinitive and participial phrases; appositive phrases, and a number of others. For
the sake of our lesson today, let’s consider two types of prepositional phrases: adjective
and adverb phrases.
First of all, what is a phrase? A phrase is a group of related words which serve as a single
part of speech. Phrases are not a complete thought so they cannot stand alone.
To be considered a prepositional phrase, there must be a preposition followed by an object,
a noun or a pronoun. Remember, prepositions are what can be called “location” words.
Note the list of common prepositions below.
aboard
below
excepting
about
beneath
excluding
above
beside
following
across
besides
for
after
between
from
against
beyond
in
along
but
inside
amid
by
into
among
concerning
like
around
considering
minus
as
despite
near
at
down
of
before
during
off
behind
except
on
onto
save
unlike
opposite
since
until
outside
than
up
over
through
upon
past
to
versus
per
toward
via
plus
towards
with
regarding
under
within
round
underneath
without
To be a preposition, all of the above words must be followed by an object, often called the
object of the preposition (OP). This object of the preposition (OP) can be a noun or a
pronoun. Prepositions are often confused with adverbs. In fact, many words such as
“above” can be a preposition or an adverb. It simply depends on how it is used in a
sentence.
Adverb: The bird flew above. Above is an adverb because it modifies where the bird flew.
Preposition: The bird flew above the clouds. Above is a preposition here because it has an
OP: clouds.
Back to prepositional phrases. Prepositional phrases can be classified as two different
types: adjective or adverbs.
The Adjective Phrase
An adjective phrase is a group of related words which functions as an adjective.
Remember, too, that adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. Below are some samples.
The candlestick in the play is played by the talented MKO. 
In this sentence, “in the play” is functioning as an adjective because it modifies the
noun “candlestick.”
Birds fly through the air and land on the barn in the field of daisies.
In the field is an adjective phrase modifying the noun barn; of daisies is also an
adjective phrase modifying the noun field.
A good way to find what the prepositional phrase modifies is two-part: say the
prepositional phrase as you ask the question what? In the above example, you would
say “what” in the field? Well, the barn. Using this process makes it much easier to
identify what the adjective phrase modifies.
The Adverb Phrase
An adverb phrase is a group of related words which functions as an adverb. Remember,
too, that adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. Below are some
samples…
The candlestick in the play is played by the talented MKO. 
In this sentence, “by the talented MKO” is functioning as an adverb because it
modifies the verb“is played.” I simply asked what by the talented MKO? “is played.”
Birds fly through the air and land on the barn in the field of daisies.
Through the air is an adverb phrase modifying the verb fly; on the barn is also an
adverb phrase modifying the verb land.
Exercise No. 1
Write a sentence using each of the words below as a preposition.
1. toward: The mouse walked toward the trap.
2. below: The fish swam below the hook.
3. through: The dog jumped through the hoop.
4. around: We traveled around the storm.
5. inside: The children were called inside during the tornado warning.
Great! Perfect!
Exercise No. 2
Write sentences using the guidelines below.
1. Write a sentence which contains an adjective phrase.
The Beast in the movie is a temperamental monster.
2. Write a sentence which uses an adverb phrase.
The beast is played by Matthew Lynn.
3. Write a sentence which uses two adjective phrases.
First, the family drove under a bridge then over a hill.
Both are adverb phrases since they each modify drove. Remember to ask what under the
bridge? They drove.
4. Write a sentence which uses two adverb phrases.
The cattle ran through the forest and grazed in the field.
Yes! Correct!
Exercise No. 3
In each of the following sentences, underline the adjective phrases. In parentheses
following, note what word the phrase is modifying.
1. Do you remember the title of the new book about morals? (the title) “about morals” is a
separate phrase which modifies “book”
2. Our work on the planning commission covers all kinds of ideas and concepts. (work)
Remember when you are marking prep. phrases, you must stop with the object, which will
be a noun or a pronoun. You included the main verb “covers.” Avoid this.
3. Those immense houses on the west side of town were built recently. (houses)
4. The man in the next room is the mayor. (man) Again, do not include the main verb.
5. Few of the citizens had ever seen that plan. (citizens) No. You included the main verb
again. Prepositions are going to be “location” words; they will tell you where something is
in relation to another object (above the clouds, under the bed, etc.)
Exercise No. 4
In each of the following sentences, underline the adverb phrases. In parentheses following,
note what word the phrase is modifying.
1. The librarian took from her desk a new edition of one of the classics. (a new edition of
one of the classics) “ from her desk” modifies “took”; “of the classics” modifies “one” so it is
an adjective phrase.
2. It was placed in the display case in the corner of the library. (it) Modifies “was played”
3. Many books of mysteries and detective stories are found in the library. (books) both of
these phrases are adjectives since they both modify “books”
4. One story about magic appears in our literature book. (story) Yes, but this is an adjective,
not an adverb; the highlighted phrase is an adverb and modifies “appears.”
5. This story contains clues to the solution of the mystery. (clues) No, this is an adjective.
What to the solution? Clues. Don’t forget to walk through the process of asking the
question.
6. I have read many stories by Arthur Conan Doyle about Sherlock Holmes. (stories) No,
adjective phrase.
7. A wall of ancient Pompeii was discovered accidentally by an ordinary peasant. (wall of
ancient Pompeii) The highlighted phrase modifies “discovered.” The preposition begins
with “by.” Accidentally is simply an adverb, not a preposition so do not include it.
Exercise 5
Underline the prepositional phrase/s and note what type of prepositional phrase it is after
each as either adjective or adverb phrase.
1. Cape Cod in Massachusetts is a favorite vacation spot in the Northeast. Adjective
Yes! The highlighted phrase should have been marked as well as an adjective.
2. Lake Erie has beaches for sunbathers and swimmers. Adjective Good.
3. The area has a beautiful view of the lake hidden in the mountain cove. Adverb Noshould be adjective since it modifies “view.” Do not include the verb hidden; stop on
the noun “lake.”
4. After some years, the house on the hill was finally ours. Adjective Highlighted
phrase modifies “was.” You go the other one correct- good!
5. According to the Bible, we must love each other without condition. Adverb Good!
The other highlighted one modifies “love.”
6. The long months of winter are sometimes dreary to humans and vampires.
Adverb Good. Also mark the highlighted one as an adjective modifying “months.”
7. Residents of the city love their busy lives. adjective
8. Relations between the employees and the boss were good after work. adjective
9. By evening, we will have finished the painting in the hallway. Adjective Yes. The
highlighted one is an adverb modifying “will have finished.”
10. Come sit beside me. adverb Good!
Phrases are always a struggle the first go-round. I know you have covered
prepositional phrases but have never subdivided them into adjective and adverb
phrases. Not bad for the first time. Once thing to remember, MKO, is when a phrase
begins a sentence and is immedicately followed by a comma, it is usually an adverb
modifying the main verb in the sentence.
Okay. Here’s your assignment for tonight- due by Sunday night 9 p.m. Write a
three-paragraph essay on the following question: if you had superpowers, what would
they be? Limit the number to three and follow this format.
Paragraph One- the Introduction
Anytime you write an introduction, you should consider the following acronym: TNT.
This stands for “theme ‘n thesis.” Theme is the topic of your paper. In this case, your topic is
super powers so you would write 4-5 sentences about this theme. Who has them? What are
they? Benefit? The curse of having them? After writing about theme, then write your thesis
statement. A thesis statement is basically a topic sentence for an entire paper. Your thesis
statement should say something about your superpower/s. For example, I could say “Of all
the wordly powers I could possess, I would most benefit from being invisible and flying.”
Get the idea? So “TNT” stands for “theme ‘n thesis.” Write 4-5 sentences about the theme then
follow with your thesis statement.
Paragraph Two- The Body Paragraph
This paragraph is about your superpower/s. Explain what they are, what you can do
with them. How would your life change? Stay the same? How would you use them?
Paragraph Three- The Conclusion
End the paper. Let me see how you end and we will address methods to do this well.
Have fun with this assignment. You will be writing the three-paragraph essays next year
and the word “thesis” may crop up from time to time. By 8th grade, you will hear this word
frequently. Do your best! Have fun! Once you turn this in, we will add some grammatical
elements, particularly phrases.