The Grammatical Adjunct in English
Framing an Entire Clause with Adverbs and Prepositional Phrases
May 27, 2009
Just as adjectives can provide additional information about nouns and adverbs can provide additional information about verbs, adjuncts function to provide additional information about an entire clause. More specifically, adjuncts are defined as words and phrases that frame an entire clause or sentence. The two grammatical forms that can function as the adjunct in English grammar are:
- Adverb phrase
- Prepositional phrase
Adjuncts are optional and can be added to or removed from the sentence without changing the grammaticality or semantics of the main clause. Both native English speakers and ESL students must learn the two grammatical forms in order to speak and write sentences with adjuncts correctly.
Adverb Phrases as Adjuncts
The first grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of adjunct is the adverb phrase. Adverb phrases are defined as phrases that consist of an adverb plus any modifiers. For example, the following italicized adverb phrases function as adjuncts:
- Honestly, his wife enjoys contemplating grammatical structures.
- Prepositional phrases can also function as adjuncts.
- Three genre courses are required for graduation, too.
- Surprisingly, some grammar books incorrectly identify possessive determiners as pronouns.
- Nonetheless, possessive adjectives are determiners, not pronouns.
Prepositional Phrases as Adjuncts
The second grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of adjunct is the prepositional phrase. Prepositional phrases are defined as phrases that consist of a prepositional directly followed by a prepositional complement. For example, the following italicized prepositional phrases function as adjuncts:
- For the love of all things holy, turn that music down!
- With all due respect, I disagree with your conclusion.
- In my opinion, verbs are much more exciting than nouns.
- According to the most esteemed author, adjuncts are not to be confused with adverbials.
- For the love of God, would you please clean up your bedroom?!
Prepositional phrases functioning as adjuncts often precede the main clause.
Adjuncts are optional grammatical structures that provide additional information to frame an entire clause. The two grammatical forms that can function as the adjunct in the English language are adverb phrases and prepositional phrases. Both native English-speakers and ESL students must learn and understand the two grammatical forms to correctly construct sentences that contain adjuncts in both spoken and written English.
Sources
Hopper, Paul J. A Short Course in Grammar. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1999.
Huddleston, Rodney. Introduction to the Grammar of English. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1984.
Kosur, Heather Marie. "The Form-Function Method for Teaching Grammar: Learning English Grammar by Studying Grammatical Form and Function." Suite 101. 16 Apr. 2009. Suite 101. 27 May. 2009.
O'Dwyer, Bernard. Modern English Structures: Form, Function, and Position. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2000.
