Determiner phrase

Question

Hi.He went that way.Is the underlined part a determiner phrase? What's its function?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

It's an adverb.

He went in that direction.

Persian Learner · Answer

So, could determiner phrases function as adverbial?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Why are you calling "that way" a determiner phrase?

Persian Learner · Answer

AlpheccaStarsWhy are you calling "that way" a determiner phrase?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Determiner_phrase

CalifJim · Answer

Persian Learnerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Determiner_phrase

We don't typically get into these controversial topics in this grammar section of the forum. It might be better to post this in our Linguistics forum, though even there, there might not be a lot of members who are willing to participate in such recondite discussions.
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The key points that give us good reasons to avoid such discussions here are given in the first few paragraphs of that Wikipedia article, in particular that there is no general agreement about the terminology "determiner phrase" and what it might represent.
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In linguistics, a determiner phrase (DP) is a type of phrase posited by some theories of syntax.
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The DP-analysis of phrases such as the car is the majority view in generative grammar today (Government and Binding and Minimalist Program),[2] but is a minority stance in the study of syntax and grammar in general. Most frameworks outside of generative grammar continue to assume the traditional NP analysis of noun phrases
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... the existence of DPs is a controversial issue that splits the syntax community into two camps (DP vs. NP) ...
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CJ

CalifJim · Answer

Persian LearnerSo, could determiner phrases function as adverbials?

Yes, but 'that way' is not called a determiner phrase except in some theoretical works in linguistics. The mainstream term for 'that way' is noun phrase (NP).
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Sources vary in how they recommend assigning a function to 'that way' or other adverbial expressions after the verb 'go'. Some claim it's a complement; others claim it's an adjunct (possibly of the type "goal").
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CJ

Determiner phrase

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