In the sentences above, the adverb excessively modifies the adjective rich; the same meaning is expressed in the adverb phrase, to excess. In the sentence, He is bodily perfect, but mentally weak, the adverb bodily modifies the adjective perfect and the adverb mentally modifies the adjective weak. In the last sentence, the same meaning is expressed by the adverb phrases, in body and in mind. These phrases modify the adjectives perfect and weak, just as do the single adverbs bodily and mentally.

302. We can use a phrase in the place of almost any adverb or adjective. It very often happens, however, that there is no adjective or adverb which we can use to exactly express our meaning and we are forced to use a phrase. For example:

It is impossible to find single words that express the meaning of these phrases, by the river, on the train, to the city, and from the country. You could not say the river house; that is not what you mean. You mean the large house by the river, yet the phrase by the river modifies and describes the house quite as much as the adjective large. It is an adjective phrase used to modify the noun house, yet it would be impossible to express its meaning in a single word.

Exercise 2

Which phrases in the following sentences are used as adjectives and which phrases are used as adverbs?

Change these phrases to adjectives or adverbs, if you can think of any that express the same meaning.

  1. Men lived in caves long ago.
  2. Man's discovery of fire was the beginning of industry.
  3. After this discovery, men lived in groups.
  4. The work of the world is done by machinery.
  5. The workers of Europe were betrayed.
  6. They are fighting for their country.
  7. The struggle for markets is the cause of war.
  8. The history of the world records the struggle of the workers.
  9. The idea of democracy is equal opportunity for all.
  10. The invention of the printing press placed knowledge within the reach of the masses.
  11. If you will study with diligence you can learn with ease.
  12. This knowledge will be of great value to you.
  13. Diplomacy means that the plans of nations are made in secret.
  14. The men in the factory are all paid by the month.
  15. They are afraid to take a trip through Europe at this time.

Exercise 3

Use a phrase instead of the adjective or adverb in the following sentences: