GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE
Adjective Phrases

Definition

An adjective phrase does the same job as an adjective clause. It modifies a noun by combining ideas in one sentence. The adjective phrase does not have a subject or complete verb. It is a "reduced" adjective clause.

Example

Sentence: The car which is parked in the driveway is red.

Independent clause: The car is red.
Adjective clause: which is parked in the driveway
Adjective phrase: parked in the driveway (no subject or verb)

Sentence with adjective phrase: The car parked in the driveway is red.

Explanation

An adjective phrase:

• is a reduced adjective clause. Adjective clauses can be reduced in ONLY one situation. Only adjective clauses that have a subject pronoun ("who", "which", "that") can be reduced.
• has the same meaning as the adjective clause.
• has no subject.
• has no verb.
• follows two general rules:
  - When the adjective clause has a "be" verb form, omit the relative pronoun and the "be" verb form.
  - When the adjective clause does not have a "be" verb form, omit the relative pronoun and change the verb to its participle (-ing) form.
• uses commas to separate a "non-identifying" adjective phrase from the independent clause.

Related Sections

Adjective Clauses
Participles
Commonly Used Punctuation
Sentence Combining: Part 2