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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Adjectival Phrase and the prepositional phrase

The boy in a white shirt is a student.

With this example, will you consider the underlined phrase as an adjectival phrase or a prepositional phrase?

I know adjectival phrase to be a headed or an endocentric construction with an adjective as its head word, how then can a prepositional phrase which happens to be a non - headed construction be considered an adjectival phrase?
  

Top answer

It is both. It is a prepositional phrase (that is its structure) acting as an adjective (that is its function).

— Mister Micawber

  • It is both.
  • It is a prepositional phrase (that is its structure) acting as an adjective (that is its function).
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10 Answers
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It is both. It is a prepositional phrase (that is its structure) acting as an adjective (that is its function).
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Anonymousa prepositional phrase which happens to be a non - headed construction
Where did you get this information? The preposition is the head of a prepositional phrase.

CJ
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It's both. A prepositional phrase can function as an adjective phrase when it is modifying a noun.
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Anonymous The boy in a white shirt is a student. With this example, will you consider the underlined phrase as an adjectival phrase or a prepositional phrase?I know adjectival phrase to be a headed or an endocentric construction with an adjective as its head word, how then can a prepositional phrase which happens to be a non - headed construction be considered an ad
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Here's a similar structure: The painting over the television is Isaac's favorite.
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lynnieHere's a similar structure: The painting over the television is Isaac's favorite.
This is another preposition phrase, this time headed by the prep “over”. Be clear about this - its function is not‘adjective phrase’, but post-head modifier of the noun ‘painting’. You are confusing category and function. Preposition phrase, adjective phrase, noun ph
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I got that idea from here http://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/prepositional-phrases.html - grammar revolution prepositional phrases by Elizabeth O'Brien
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AnonymousI got that idea from here http://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/prepositional-phrases.html - grammar revolution prepositional phrases by Elizabeth O'Brien
I looked at this website and all I can say is that 'words fail me'. It's so ab
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Sorry, the correct website address in full is www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar.

Best

BilJ
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I understand that it is a prepositional phrase but not an adjectival phrase although the phrase functions as adjective or post-head modifier as you labeled it.
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