Adjective Clusters

Making Adjective Clusters

Adjective clusters are made by crossing over the adjective in a BSP4, or the past participial form of the verb in a passive voice sentence.

Jim was angry over the umpire's call. [A BSP4 with a prepositional phrase attached]
Angry over the umpire's call,
Angry over the umpire's call, Jim snarled an insult.
The hymn was sung well by the choir. [A Passive Voice Sentence]
Sung well by the choir,
Sung well by the choir, the hymn moved the worshippers.

Recognizing Adjective Clusters

The key marker of an adjective cluster is an adjective or a past tense verb that stands at or near the front of a cluster of words tied to it. This cluster modifies a noun, which normally precedes or follows the cluster. An adjective cluster does not have a subject within the cluster or a verb that predicates the subject. Here are some more examples:

Unable to find the "Alt" key, Brian decided to ask the student to his left where he could find it. When he leaned toward her, Lisa, uncertain of his intentions, drew back in alarm, causing Brian to think that his breath, ever a source of great concern, was unusually offensive that day. When Lisa looked at his face, now full of self doubt, and torn by indecision, she realized that he was shy, so she said, "Excuse me. You startled me. Did you want something?" When he heard her voice, so calm and reassuring, he ventured to ask his question, "Whalt is the are key?"

Return to Lesson Eight