How to Use Adjective Phrases for Better Descriptions
The difference between basic and sophisticated English often lies in how descriptions are constructed. Adjective phrases are key tools that allow speakers and writers to create more detailed, nuanced descriptions that go beyond simple one-word adjectives.
What Makes an Adjective Phrase?
An adjective phrase consists of a head adjective (the main descriptive word) plus any words that modify or complete its meaning. These additional elements work together with the head adjective to describe a noun or pronoun more precisely.
The structure typically includes:
- A head adjective (the core descriptive word)
- Optional modifiers (often adverbs)
- Optional complements (words that complete the meaning)
For example, in the phrase "extremely happy about the news," happy is the head adjective, extremely is the modifier, and about the news is the complement.
Types of Adjective Phrases
Adjective phrases function in two primary positions:
Attributive Adjective Phrases
These appear directly before the noun they modify:
- The incredibly talented artist displayed her work.
- A strikingly beautiful landscape hung on the wall.
- The nearly impossible task challenged everyone.
Predicative Adjective Phrases
These appear after a linking verb (such as be, seem, appear, feel):
- The children were afraid of the dark.
- She seems very confident in her abilities.
- The solution appears too simple to work.
Common Structures of Adjective Phrases
Adjective phrases can take several forms:
1. Adjective + Adverb
- The incredibly fast runner won the race.
- She was perfectly happy with the results.
2. Determiner + Adjective
- She has a beautiful voice.
- They live in the old house.
3. Adjective + Prepositional Phrase
- He was happy with his score.
- The student was proud of her achievement.
4. Adjective + Infinitive Phrase
- She is eager to start.
- The candidate seemed ready to answer.
5. Adverb + Adjective + Complement
- They were very pleased with the service.
- He was extremely reluctant to leave.
Adjective Phrases vs. Adjectival Phrases
Important Distinction
There's an important distinction between adjective phrases and adjectival phrases that function as adjectives.
Adjective phrases have an adjective as the head word. In contrast, adjectival phrases (particularly prepositional phrases functioning as adjectives) do not contain a head adjective at all.
Compare:
- Adjective phrase: "The extremely tall building" (head adjective: tall)
- Adjectival phrase: "The building on the corner" (prepositional phrase with no adjective)
Adjectival prepositional phrases always appear immediately after the noun they modify:
- The woman in the red dress is my teacher.
- The book on the shelf belongs to me.
- Students with good grades received scholarships.
Why Use Adjective Phrases?
Adjective phrases allow for:
- More precise descriptions
- Greater variety in expression
- More sophisticated sentence structures
- Clearer conveyance of complex qualities
Examples in Context
| Simple Adjective | Expanded Adjective Phrase | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| a happy child | a surprisingly happy child | Adds degree |
| a difficult problem | a problem too difficult to solve | Adds specification |
| an interesting book | a book interesting enough to read twice | Adds consequence |
| a tired worker | a worker tired from overtime | Adds cause |
Practical Applications
When writing or speaking, use adjective phrases to:
- Add necessary detail to your descriptions
- Vary your sentence structure
- Create more sophisticated expressions
- Convey complex qualities more precisely
Remember
While adjective phrases add detail, avoid overusing them. Too many complex adjective phrases can make your writing seem cluttered or overly complicated.
Practice Exercise
Identify the adjective phrases in these sentences and determine their type (attributive or predicative):
1. The extremely cautious driver avoided the accident.
2. That movie was too boring to finish.
3. The children seemed happy with their presents.
4. A surprisingly difficult question appeared on the test.
5. The house on the hill is ancient.
2. That movie was too boring to finish.
3. The children seemed happy with their presents.
4. A surprisingly difficult question appeared on the test.
5. The house on the hill is ancient.