Adjectives and Adverbs

Question

My friends and I were discussing the adjectives and adverbs in the following sentences. The adjectives are in bold, and I have underlined the adverbs:1. Good children do not talk so much.2. Why do clocks turn clockwise?3. Our knowledge of film development will be enhanced by this course.My questions are:a. Is the word "not" in the 1st sentence an adverb?b. Why is the word "why" regarded as an adverb in this sentence?c. I consider "film development" a noun phrase. My friend, however, thinks that "film", in fact, functions as an adjective. Is she right?I thank you very much for your advice.

RandomGuy · Accepted Answer

Malcolm101Is the word "not" in the 1st sentence an adverb?

Yes.

Malcolm101Why is the word "why" regarded as an adverb in this sentence?

It modifies the verb phrase turn clockwise, marking an open interrogative clause.

Malcolm101I consider "film development" a noun phrase. My friend, however, thinks that "film", in fact, functions as an adjective. Is she right?

It is a noun phrase. Film is not an adjective but a noun functioning attributive modifier to the head noun development. “Adjective” is a category (part of speech), not a function. Words don’t function adjectives; they function as subject, complement, modifier, etc.

By the way, so much is an adverb phrase, our is a pronoun functioning as determiner (not modifier), and this is a determinative functioning as determiner.

Malcolm101 · Answer

Aspara Gus, I should really like to thank you for your help. You are so clear and precise. (And, thank you also for the additional information.)

Adjectives and Adverbs

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