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To understand the difference between adjective phrases and adjective clauses, we need to define them first.
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First, look at the definition of an adjective and its function to make it easier for you to understand the difference between adjective phrase and adjective clause.
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Adjective: An adjective describes things that usually appear before a noun or a pronoun in a sentence. The noun described by an adjective can be people, place, idea, or thing.
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Example: Today is the longest day of this year.
The word longest in this sentence is an adjective that modifies the noun day.
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Adjective Phrase: A group of words without a subject-verb combination that does the work of an adjective is called an adjective phrase.Â
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Example: Today is the day of greatest length.
In this sentence, ‘of greatest length’ is the group of words performing the same function as a single adjective. It does not compose of its own subject and predicate(verb). Therefore, it is an adjective phrase.
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Adjective Clause: An adjective clause follows nouns; it provides information about the noun it follows. It has its own subject and predicate and does the work of a single adjective.
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Example: I don’t remember the day when l was born.
The group of words ‘when I was born’ does the same function as the adjective and adjective phrase did in the above sentences and contained the subject I and verb was born. Therefore, this group of words is an adjective clause.
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Note: Adjective clause is also known as a relative clause.
Adjective Phrase and Adjective Clause ComparisonÂ
Both an adjective phrase and an adjective clause do the work of an adjective, i.e. modifies a noun, and both always appear as part of a large sentence. The following table presents some key differences between adjective phrases and adjective clauses.Â
| Adjective Phrase | Adjective Clause |
|---|---|
| A group of words without a subject-verb combination. | A group of words with a subject-verb combination. |
| It may begin with determiners (possessive, interrogative, demonstrative) or infinitives. | It always begins with words such as who, whom, that, where, etc. |
| It can be placed before or after the noun or pronoun it modifies. | It comes right after the noun or pronoun it modifies. |
| An adjective phrase can work as the subject and object complement. | An adjective clause can’t work as a subject and object complement. |
| It can begin a sentence, i.e. appears at the start of a sentence. | Adjective clauses do not begin sentences. |
Adjective Phrase and Adjective Clause Examples
In the following table, each adjective phrase is turned into an adjective clause that clarifies their difference.
| Adjective Phrase | Adjective Clause |
|---|---|
| The robber of the house was killed by someone. | The man who had robbed the house was killed by someone. |
| The older man standing over there is the storekeeper. | The older man who is standing over there is the storekeeper. |
| We need many things to purchase. | We need many things that we must purchase. |
| Hardworking students always have a bright future. | Students who work hard always have a bright future. |
| Shoes made of leather are very warm. | Shoes which are made of leather are very warm. |
| His shameful act disgusted all of his fellows. | His act, which was shameful, disgusted all of his fellows. |
| The watch bought by my dad was costly. | The watch that my dad bought was costly. |
| Students getting high grades will get awards. | Students who getting high grades will get awards. |
| The suspended officer has filed a case in court. | The officer whom the department suspended filed a case in court. |
| The TV with a broken screen is mine. | The TV which has a broken screen is mine. |
| They didn’t tell me the time of their arrival. | They didn’t tell me when they would arrive. |
| We have many vessels filled with honey. | We have many vessels which are filled with honey. |
| The man sitting near me is my uncle. | The man who sits near me is my uncle. |