Adjective Phrases — Underline and Identify Examples

An adjective phrase is a group of words (not a single adjective) that describes a noun.

Single adjective: the tall man Adjective phrase: the man with a tall hat (the phrase 'with a tall hat' describes the man)

Types of Adjective Phrases:

1. Prepositional Phrase used as adjective: • The girl in the red dress is my sister. (in the red dress → describes 'the girl') • The book on the shelf belongs to me. (on the shelf → describes 'the book')

2. Participial Phrase used as adjective: • The boy running in the garden is my brother. (running in the garden → describes 'the boy') • The house painted white looks beautiful. (painted white → describes 'the house')

3. Infinitive Phrase used as adjective: • She has no time to waste. (to waste → describes 'time') • He has the ability to lead. (to lead → describes 'ability')

How to identify an adjective phrase: Ask — 'Which [noun]?' or 'What kind of [noun]?' If a group of words answers this question, it is an adjective phrase.

Underline the adjective phrase in each sentence and identify the noun it modifies:

1. The man with a long beard lives next door. Adjective phrase: with a long beard (describes 'the man')

2. She is a woman of great courage. Adjective phrase: of great courage (describes 'woman')

3. The boy standing near the gate is my friend. Adjective phrase: standing near the gate (describes 'the boy')

4. He has a voice full of warmth. Adjective phrase: full of warmth (describes 'voice')

5. The letter written in red ink was urgent. Adjective phrase: written in red ink (describes 'letter')

6. She wore a dress covered with sequins. Adjective phrase: covered with sequins (describes 'dress')

7. The children playing in the park belong to this school. Adjective phrase: playing in the park (describes 'children')

8. He is a man of his word. Adjective phrase: of his word (describes 'man')

9. The house at the end of the lane is haunted. Adjective phrase: at the end of the lane (describes 'house')

10. She has no time to waste on silly things. Adjective phrase: to waste on silly things (describes 'time')

11. The dog with the long tail is very friendly. Adjective phrase: with the long tail (describes 'dog')

12. He wore a shirt torn at the elbows. Adjective phrase: torn at the elbows (describes 'shirt')

13. The woman dressed in white walked past us. Adjective phrase: dressed in white (describes 'woman')

14. A story worth telling should have a strong beginning. Adjective phrase: worth telling (describes 'story')

15. The bridge across the river was built last year. Adjective phrase: across the river (describes 'bridge')