Adjunct

An adjunct is a word, phrase or clause that can be removed from a sentence without making it grammatically incorrect.

Types of adjuncts

The types of adjuncts are adverbial adjuncts, adjectival adjuncts and noun adjuncts.

Why are adjuncts used

Adjuncts are used to provide extra information in a sentence, which adds extra meaning. 

An adjunct is usually an adverb or noun that works as an adjective or an adverb.

I play cricket in the morning.

In this sentence, the preposition phrase ‘in the morning’ is working as an adjunct (adverbial adjunct). The sentence is grammatically fine without it: I play cricket.

We hardly attend parties.

Here, the word ‘hardly’ is an adjunct, a regular adverb. It modifies the verb ‘attend’ by talking about its frequency; it tells us how frequently the action takes place.

There is no limit in terms of how many adjuncts you can use in a sentence. Let’s look at an example and see it.

Core sentence: We will call you.

Sentence with multiple adjuncts: We will definitely call you in the evening at your number after the party.

This sentence has 4 adjuncts in it. We could have added more adjuncts to it if we wanted. Here are the adjuncts:

1. Definitely 2. In the evening 3. At your number 4. After the party

Adjunct as a word

An adjunct as single words work as an adverb in a sentence, They are adverbs of frequency, sentence adverbs, adverbs of time, adverbs of place, and adverbs of manner,

Let’s look at some adjuncts as a single word.

Fortunately, I was there to help you.

‘Fortunately’ is the adjunct in the sentence. It is a sentence adverb that’s modifying the entire sentence.

I often call my school friends.

‘Often‘ (an adverb of frequency) is the adjunct in thesentence.

I will throw a party tonight.

Here, ‘tonight’ is the adjunct in the sentence. It is an adverb of time.

John is calling you upstairs.

‘Upstairs’ is the adjunct in the sentence.

You beautifully organized the function.

The adjunct in this sentence is ‘beautifully‘.

Adjunct as a phrase

Prepositional phrases and infinitive phrases are the most common amongst them.

They are talking to the boys in my room.

Here, ‘in my room‘ is the adjunct. It is a prepositional phrase working as an adverb in the sentence.

John is working very hard to take care of his family.

‘To take care of his family‘ is an infinitive phrase working as an adverb. Since it is

nonessential to the sentence, it is termed an adjunct.

Types of adjuncts

positional phrase, Infinitive phrase, Adverb clause, Adjective clause, Participle phrase,

Appositive phrase, Absolute phrase

1. Prepositional phrase

When a prepositional phrase modifies a verb with extra information, it is an adjunct to the

core meaning and grammatical sanctity of the sentence.

Examples:

I was sleeping in my hall last night.

2. Infinitive phrase

Infinitive phrases can also function as adverbs. When they do, they are adjuncts to the sentence.

Monica left her place to achieve her goals.

These infinitive phrases are working as adverbs and are grammatically dispensable.

3. Adverb clause

An adverb clause is a dependent clause that works as an adverb. It is also an adjunct to the sentence.

He owns this company because he worked very hard.

4. Adjective clause

An adjective clause when providing nonessential about the noun it modifies is an adjunct to the sentence.

Delhi, which is my hometown, is the capital of India.

5. Participle phrase

A participle phrase starts with a participle, present, past, or perfect,

and works as an adjective or an adverb in a sentence. 6. Appositive or appositive phrase

An appositive phrase is a noun phrase that sits next to another noun and renames it.

7. Absolute phrase An absolute phrase is a phrase that modifies an independent clause or a complete sentence.

My blog https://podcasterselvi.blogspot.com