Adjective Phrases versus Adverb Phrases

Recall what a PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE is…

Prepositions are the words that indicate location.

Example: The puppy is on the floor.

Where is the puppy? On the floor!

When it comes to Adjective/Adverb Phrases, both are prepositional phrases, but what is the difference between the two??

REMEMBER:

  • An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase used to describe the noun or pronoun of the sentence. A preposition as an adjective will answer the question “Which one?”
  • Example: She worked in the building with the red tower.

Which one?? The one with the red tower!

  • An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase used to describe a verb, an adjective, or another adverb in the sentence. A preposition used as an adverb will answer questions such as “How?” “When?” or “Where?”
  • Example: She wrote with care.

How did she write?? With care!

Directions: Find the prepositional phrase within these sentences. Then, identify whether it is an adjective phrase or an adverb phrase.

1. The book on the bathroom floor is ruined from shower steam.

2.The man fell down the steps.

3. Parents should receive a report of the students’ achievements.

4) Saturday was a perfect day for football.

5) The Columbus Zoo was closed for repairs.

6) The storm was the worst of the season.

7) The king and queen were having a struggle for power.

8) The grass really grew after the rain.

9) The key was found under the porch.

10) After lunch, the children went swimming.

11) The sweet potatoes in the vegetable bin are green with mold.

12) Feeling brave, we tried the extra spicy burritos at Tito’s Taco Palace.

13) The note from Beverly confessed that she had a crush on Bobby.

14) Freddy is tired from yesterday’s long football practice.

15) Before class, Josh begged his friends for a pencil.

Directions: Identify all of the prepositions in this paragraph and whether it is an adjective phrase or adverb phrase.

The hills across the valley of the Ebro were long and white. On this side, there was no shade and no trees, and the station was between two lines of rails in the sun. Close against the side of the station, there was the warm shadow of the building and a curtain, made of strings of bamboo beads, hung across the open door into the bar, to keep out flies. The American and the girl with him sat at a table in the shade, outside the building. It was very hot and the express from Barcelona would come in forty minutes. It stopped at this junction for two minutes and went on to Madrid.