1. I'm looking for a present "for my daughter's birthday."
(Is 'for my son's birthday' an adjective phrase or an adverbial phrase? What does it modify?)
2. I got a nice gift "for my birthday."
(Is 'for my birthday" an adjective phrase or an adverbial phrase? One says it's an adjective phrase. The other says it's an adverbial phrase. Does it modify 'got' or 'gift'?)
1. The phrase "for my daughter's birthday" is an adverbial phrase. It modifies the verb "looking." In this sentence, it explains the purpose or reason for looking. You are looking for a present specifically for your daughter's birthday.
To determine if a phrase is an adverbial phrase or an adjective phrase, you can ask yourself what it is modifying. In this case, "for my daughter's birthday" is answering the question "why are you looking?" It provides additional information about the action of looking, making it an adverbial phrase.
2. The phrase "for my birthday" is an adverbial phrase. It modifies the verb "got." In this sentence, it explains the reason or occasion for receiving a nice gift.
While some may argue that it could be an adjective phrase modifying the noun "gift," the more common interpretation is that it modifies the verb "got." It provides additional information about the action of getting, indicating the purpose or occasion.
Determining whether a phrase is adverbial or adjectival can sometimes be subjective, as it depends on the intended meaning and interpretation of the sentence. However, in this specific example, "for my birthday" is best understood as an adverbial phrase modifying "got."