In 1609, Galileo was the first person to look AT THE MOON through a telescope.
Is this an adjective phrase or an adverb phrase.
the first person?
Is it the moon?
I'm sorry I really don't understand.
"at the moon" is the phrase you're referring to, right? So it can't be modifying itself!
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms.htm
Study about ADVERB PHRASE and ADJECTIVE PHRASE here. Read and study carefully.
Then decide.
To determine whether the phrase "in 1609" is an adjective phrase or an adverb phrase, we need to look at its function in the sentence.
In this sentence, the phrase "in 1609" provides information about when Galileo looked at the moon through a telescope. It describes a specific point in time.
Since the phrase is modifying the verb "looked" by answering the question "when", it is functioning as an adverb phrase.
To identify whether a phrase is an adjective or adverb phrase, consider its function in the sentence and how it relates to the verb, noun, or adjective it modifies. In this case, "in 1609" modifies the verb "looked," making it an adverb phrase.
If it's modifying (describing) a noun, then it's an adjective phrase.
If it's modifying a verb, adjective, or adverb, then it's an adverb phrase.
What word do you think it's modifying?