Are modifiers the same as determiners? Well, here is a chance for you to learn what modifiers are and how they are used in sentences to perform their specific functions in this article. Read through the examples and try out the practice exercise to have a complete understanding of modifiers and their usage.
Table of Contents
- What Are Modifiers? – Meaning and Definition
- Roles and Functions of Modifiers
- Examples of Modifiers – Learn How to Use Them
- Check Your Understanding of the Usage of Modifiers
- Frequently Asked Questions on Modifiers in English Grammar
What Are Modifiers? – Meaning and Definition
Modifiers include words, phrases or clauses that modify sentences or add to the meaning of sentences. Describing how a person or thing looks; how, when, why and where something happened; how an action is taking place – all of them are expressed using modifiers.
The definition of a modifier, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is as follows – “a word or group of words that describes a noun phrase or limits its meaning in some way”. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the term ‘modifier’ as “a word or phrase that makes specific the meaning of another word or phrase”, and the Collins Dictionary defines it as “a word or group of words that modifies another word or group”.
Roles and Functions of Modifiers
What does a modifier really do in a sentence? Do you think a modifier might be an adjective or an adverb? Well, if you do, you are not wrong. All adjectives and adverbs can play the role of a modifier in a sentence. Other than these two parts of speech, some phrases and clauses can be used as modifiers. Adverbial phrases, adjective phrases and noun phrases can act as modifiers; in addition to these, relative clauses can be used to modify or add more information about a subject or an object in a complex sentence. Also, remember that modifiers are not meant just to describe a noun, but also a verb, an adjective or an adverb in a sentence. Another specific characteristic of a modifier is that it can appear in the beginning, middle or end of the sentence and a sentence can have multiple modifiers (owing to the words, phrases and clauses that can be used to modify a noun, verb, adverb or adjective).
Examples of Modifiers – Learn How to Use Them
Look at the following examples of sentences to comprehend how modifiers are positioned and how they work.
Examples of Adjectives and Adverbs as Modifiers
- Everything was still intact.
- The museum was built five centuries ago.
- The annual day celebrations to be held next week got postponed.
- She had an ardent craving to eat burgers and milkshakes.
- The whole time, I thought you were trying to help.
Examples of Phrases as Modifiers
- We visited Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
- The Eiffel Tower, situated in Paris, is one of the wonders of the world.
- The pollution caused by city traffic created smog in the streets.
- The dress with floral designs made her look young.
- The passport application to go abroad was rejected.
Examples of Clauses as Modifiers
- Her baby, whose eyes were blue in colour, smiled at me.
- The girl who studied in the opposite college became my roommate.
- The teacher who always wore red shades switched to black colour.
- The antique jewellery store that was built a hundred years ago was demolished.
- The clouds that looked scary changed shapes rapidly.
Check Your Understanding of the Usage of Modifiers
Now, let us find out to what extent you have understood the use of modifiers in sentences. Go through the following sentences and identify the modifier(s) in them.
1. The bird that looked so real was a robot.
2. Once in a while, we stay at our farmhouse.
3. The flower garland that looked fresh had a repulsive smell.
4. Caroline, the girl from New Zealand, is my friend.
5. The store in front of my house is being renovated.
6. My brother bought me a red dress.
7. Valerie is the teacher who taught me French.
8. There are multiple choices.
9. Maya bought vegetables from the grocery store.
10. We shall meet at the park.
Given below are the answers for the exercise. Go through them to find out if you have identified the modifiers correctly.
1. The bird that looked so real was a robot.
2. Once in a while, we stay at our farmhouse.
3. The flower garland that looked fresh had a repulsive smell.
4. Caroline, the girl from New Zealand, is my friend.
5. The store in front of my house is being renovated.
6. My brother bought me a red dress.
7. Valerie is the teacher who taught me French.
8. There are multiple choices.
9. Maya bought vegetables from the grocery store.
10. We shall meet at the park.
Frequently Asked Questions on Modifiers in English Grammar
What are modifiers?
Modifiers include words, phrases or clauses that modify sentences or add to the meaning of sentences. Describing how a person or thing looks — how, when, why and where something happened; how an action is taking place — all of them are expressed using modifiers.
What is the definition of a modifier?
The definition of a modifier, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is as follows – “a word or group of words that describes a noun phrase or limits its meaning in some way”. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the term ‘modifier’ as “a word or phrase that makes specific the meaning of another word or phrase”, and the Collins Dictionary defines it as “a word or group of words that modifies another word or group”.
What words, phrases or clauses can act as a modifier?
All adjectives and adverbs can play the role of a modifier in a sentence. Adverbial phrases, adjective phrases and noun phrases can act as modifiers; in addition to these, relative clauses can be used to modify or add more information about a subject or an object in a complex sentence.
What is the function of a modifier?
The main function of a modifier is to modify, describe, or provide more information about the noun, verb, adverb or adjective in the sentence.
Give five examples of sentences using modifiers.
Given below are five examples of sentences using modifiers for your reference. Check them out.
- The flower garland that looked fresh had a repulsive smell.
- The pollution caused by city traffic created smog in the streets.
- The girl who studied in the opposite college became my roommate.
- The teacher who always wore red shades switched to black colour.
- The antique jewellery store that was built a hundred years ago was demolished.
