Adjective Phrases and Adverb Phrases

Rather dubious, extremely subtle, and too modest are Adjective Phrases. As with the NP, the
phrase is of the same category as its head word, i.e. Adjective Phrases (AP) are centred on
adjectives (A). And, like NPs, an AP can consist of an unmodified head, a simple adjective. For
example, in Aldo’s quite delicious pizzas the AP, quite delicious, functions as the modifier of
pizzas and delicious is the adjective functioning as the head of the AP. On the other hand, in
Luigi’s inedible pizzas, the simple adjective functions both as the head and – in itself – as the
complete modifier of pizzas, so it counts as a full AP as well as an A.
I shall mention here only the general adverbs. Examples are:
frankly, potentially, oddly, enthusiastically, immediately, suspiciously, awkwardly, theoretically.
As these examples illustrate, the vast majority of general adverbs (and, you will have noted,
some of the degree adverbs) are formed from adjectives by the addition of -ly, and so are
easily identified.
Like degree adverbs, general adverbs can modify adjectives within Adjective Phrases (though
general adverbs do have other functions as well):
theoretically untenable, oddly inconclusive, diabolically tinted, immediately recognizable.
General adverbs differ from degree adverbs in specifying a much wider range of concepts than
just degree. Furthermore, general adverbs can themselves be modified by degree adverbs, to
form adverb phrases (AdvPs) – for example, very oddly, quite frankly. Since modification of a
general adverb by a degree adverb is optional, an AdvP (like an NP and an AP) can consist of
just a simple (general) adverb.