This document discusses the morphology, syntax, and semantics of adjective phrases. It covers: 1) The inflectional forms of comparative ("-er") and superlative ("-est") adjectives based on syllable count. 2) The positions adjectives can occur in syntactically, such as attribute, predicative, postposed modifier, and noun phrase head. 3) Ways adjectives are derived, such as "-ed" and "-ing" participial adjectives, and compounding with other parts of speech. 4) The semantic types of adjectives, including descriptors, classifiers based on attributes like color, and emphasizers.

1. THE ADJECTIVE
PHRASE
A group or a group of words
whose head is an adjective

2. MORPHOLOGY:
INFLECTIONS: comparative “-er” and superlative “-est” forms
POSITIVE NEUTRAL NEGATIVE
Monosyllabic adjectives:
Monosyllabic adjectives: Monosyllabic adjectives:
bigger - biggest Less big –
As big as
the least big
Disyllabic adjectives:
Commoner – Disyllabic adjectives: Dysillabic adjectives:
commonest less common – the least
As common as common
More common- most
common
Three syllabic
Three syllabic Three syllabic
adjectives: more
adjectives: as adjectives: less
expensive – the most
expensive as expensive- the least
expensive
expensive

3. Inflections Phrase
Monosyllabic adjectives Real, right, wrong and just
Disyllabic adjectives with
IDEM
the stress on the second
syllable
Disyllabic adjectives IDEM
ending in –er, -le, -ow, -y and
-ly
IDEM
Common, cruel, pleasant,
quiet.
Antique, bizarre, words in –esque
Adjectives consisting of a prefix and disyllabic adjectives beginning
with a-
Partciple adjectives: -ing and –ed
3 syllables or more

4. DERIVATION:
Special adjectives: -ed and –ing adjectives
COMPOUNDING:
Adjective/number + noun /-ed : grey-haired / one-sided
Adejective/adverb + past participle: low-paid / well-behaved
Adjective/adverb/noun + present participle: good-looking / long-
lasting / man-eating
Noun + past participle: tongue-tied / wind-blown
Noun+ adjective: accident-prone / trouble-free
Adjective + noun: deep-sea / present -day
Past participle + adverb: run-down / cast-off
Number+ singular count noun: five-page / four-door

5. SYNTACTICALLY:
• Attribute
• Predicative
• Postposed modifier
•Noun phrase head
• Linking expression
• Free modifier

6. Attribute position:
Opinion+size+quality/character+age+
shape+colour +
+ participle +
+ origin+ material+type + purpose

7. Predicative position:
Subject
predicative
Object predicative

8. Postposed modifier
Broad
Deep
Designate Concerned
High Affected
Elect Involved
Long Available
Galore Present
Old Required
Incarnate Proper
Tall Suggested
Manqué Responsible
Thick
Opposite
Wide

9. SEMANTICALLY:
Descriptor
Classifiers
Colour
Emphasizing

10. DESCRIPTOR:
Comparative Attribute
and and
Gradable
superlative predicative
forms position

11. CLASSIFIERS:
No
comparative Attribute
Non-gradable
or superlative position
forms

12. ADJECTIVE PHRASE:
• HEAD
• •
Adverb Prepositional
phrase