Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

INTRODUCTION

319

The adjunct is the fifth major clause function, the other four being subject, verb,

object and complement. Adjuncts modify, comment on or expand in some way the

meaning of the clause in terms of manner, place, time, frequency, reason, intensity,

etc. Adjuncts are never obligatory items in a clause.

TYPES OF ADJUNCT

320

The adjunct in a clause may be realised by an adverb phrase, a prepositional

phrase, or (less frequently) a noun phrase.

● Adjunct realised by an adverb phrase:

adjunct subject 

verb

complement

Luckily | the weather | was | very nice. 

subject

verb

object

adjunct

I 

| met | Prince Charles | 

fairly recently. 

● Adjunct realised by a prepositional phrase: