368. A word used to describe and modify a noun is an adjective.
A phrase used to describe and modify a noun is an adjective phrase.
A clause used to describe and modify a noun is an adjective clause.
Note the difference between a phrase and a clause.
369. A prepositional phrase, used as an adjective, consists of the preposition and the noun which is its object, together with its modifiers. A phrase never has either a subject or a predicate. Who are wealthy, is a clause because it does contain a subject and a predicate. The pronoun who is the subject in the clause, and the predicate is the copulative verb are with the predicate complement, the adjective wealthy.
Exercise 1
In the following sentences change the adjective into a phrase and also into a clause, if possible. For example:
- A fearless man always defends his rights.
- A man without fear always defends his rights.
- A man who is fearless always defends his rights.
- The unemployed men are becoming desperate.
- The uneducated masses are demanding equal opportunity.
- The discovery of gold was an important discovery.
- Unorganized labor is helpless.
- The revolution needs intelligent rebels.
- A few wealthy men are striving to control education.
- This will be a progressive movement.
- Labor-saving inventions throw men out of employment.
- Scientific men prophesy a great advance for the mass.