I have the sentence: Kyle seems calm despite his situation. Kyle is the subject, seems is the being verb, calm is a subject complement adjective that describes Kyle. My question is, is "...despite his situation" an adverb phrase? Is it describing calm or seems?

Question

I have the sentence:  Kyle seems calm despite his situation.  Kyle is the subject, seems is the being verb, calm is a subject complement adjective that describes Kyle.  My question is,  is "...despite his situation" an adverb phrase?  Is it describing calm or seems?

Thanks,

Writeacher · Answer

I would say it's an adjective phrase, describing "calm." But I can see it both ways!

Ms. Sue · Answer

I think it's definitely an adverb phrase. Since calm is an adjective and seems is a verb, which ever the phrase modifies, it is still an adverb phrase.

Writeacher · Answer

Ahhh, Ms. Sue is right! =)