Adjective Phrases: Difference between revisions
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* An AP may contain: | * An AP may contain: | ||
** a degree word (<span style="color: blue>very, quite, extremely</span>) at the left periphery of the AP | ** a degree word (<span style="color: blue>very, quite, extremely</span>) at the left periphery of the AP | ||
** a PP following the AP (<span style="color: blue>proud [PP | ** a PP following the AP (<span style="color: blue>proud [<sub>PP</sup> of their children], fond [PP: of icecream]</span>) | ||
** an infinitival VP introduced with to following the AP (<span style="color: blue>eager [to leave early], easy [to read]</span>) | ** an infinitival VP introduced with to following the AP (<span style="color: blue>eager [to leave early], easy [to read]</span>) | ||
** a clause (<span style="color: blue>certain [that Kim will arrive on time]</span>) | ** a clause (<span style="color: blue>certain [that Kim will arrive on time]</span>) | ||
Revision as of 07:58, 26 April 2017
The Adjective Phrase (AP)
The distribution of the adjective phrase
An AP can occur
- following a 'linking verb' (copula verb): Kim is/feels/sounds/smells __.
The pro-form so can be used to refer to an AP: Kim is [very interested in snooker] and so is Pat.
The internal structure of the adjective phrase
- An AP must contain an adjective
- An AP may contain:
- a degree word (very, quite, extremely) at the left periphery of the AP
- a PP following the AP (proud [PP of their children], fond [PP: of icecream])
- an infinitival VP introduced with to following the AP (eager [to leave early], easy [to read])
- a clause (certain [that Kim will arrive on time])
In English, an AP in prenominal (i.e. attributive) position must not contain elements following the adjective:
Kim is [AP: very proud [PP: of the children]].
the [AP: very proud] teacher
*the [AP: very proud [PP: of the children]] teacher