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A modifier is a word or phrase which communicates the information in a sentence better. It provides key detail about a subject which can enhance the meaning of the sentence. Here's all that you need to know to understand Phrases Modifier.
What are Phrases Modifiers?
A phrases modifier can be defined as a word/phrase/clause which modifies other words in a sentence. The modifier is an adjective or an adverb. While adjectives modify the nouns, adverbs modify the verbs, the adjectives or the other adverbs.
Merriam Webster defines Modifiers as “a word (as an adjective or adverb) used with another word to limit its meaning”.
For Example, in the phrase “very tall building” the words “very” and “tall” are modifiers.
Types of Modifiers
Phrases Modifiers are broadly bracketed into two types – Pre-modifiers and Post-modifiers. Take a look below to understand the two for correct usage.
Pre-modifiers
Words, which modify nouns or verbs that follow them in the sentence are called pre-modifiers. Most of the pre-modifiers are adjectives and used before a noun such as articles, determiners, demonstratives, proper adjectives, descriptive adjectives, compound adjectives, participles, etc.
Conjunctive adverbs, sentence adverbs and other adverbs are used as modifiers before verbs, adjectives and other adverbs.
Examples:
- Normally,(adverb)the(article) green(descriptive adjective) cabbage is used in sandwiches.
- Give me that(demonstrative)blue(descriptive adjective) painted(past participle) shining(present participle).
- Apparently,(adverb)that(demonstrative) computer has a lot of(determiners) technical(adjective).
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Post-modifiers
Words that follow verbs in a sentence are called post-modifiers. Mostly, adverbs of manner, adverbs of time and adverbs of place/direction are placed after the verbs they modify.
Pre-modifiers that modify the nouns include, appositives, prepositional phrases (adjectives/adverbs), infinitives (adverbs/adjectives), dependent clause, etc.
- Sally Morgan, a ballet dancer,(appositive)has been selected in the team(adverb).
- Bruno, our dog, (appositive) wants us to pat(infinitive - adjective)him all the day (adverb of time).
- Tommy, the captain of National soccer team,(appositive)plays exceptionally(adverb of manner).
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Examples of Phrases Modifiers
In the table below, we have mentioned more types and examples of phrases modifiers along with explanation:
| Type of Modifier |
Example of Modifier |
Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Articles |
A bird, the car |
While in “a bird”, “a” refers to just any bird, in “the car”, “the” refers to particular engine |
| Possessive Nouns |
Heena’s dance studio |
“Heena’s” is the noun in possessive case. It acts an adjective that modifies the noun “dance studio” |
| Pronoun |
We who were tired |
We is the pronoun, who were tired is the modifier |
| Possessive Pronouns |
Our home, his shop |
“our” & “his” are possessive pronouns that refer to “home” and “shop” respectively |
| Adjectives |
A yellow bike, a faded jeans |
“yellow” is the adjective that modifies information about bike and “faded” is the adjective that modifies information about jeans |
| Prepositional Phrases |
The tyre of the car |
“of the car” start with “of” so it is a prepositional phrase. It gives information about the car |
| Relative Pronoun Clause |
The dog which has three legs |
Although “which as three legs” is a clause, when combined together with “dog”, it becomes noun phrase |
| Verb-ing Modifiers |
The kite flying in the sky |
“flying” is a verb-ing modifier giving information about the noun “the kite” |
| Verb-ed Modifiers |
The basket kept under the table |
“kept” is the verb-ed modifier giving information about the noun “the basket” |
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Phrases Modifiers Exercises with Answers
If you've understood the concepts of Phrases Modifiers, here is a quick test for you. Identify Phrases Modifiers in the following sentences:
Q 1: Racing against the time, I completed my exam paper.
Q 2: While at grocery store, my mother instructed me how to make coffee.
Q 3: The cat sitting under the table was feeling cold.
Q 4: The house whose roof is green is owned by Mr Briggs.
Q 5: The school now has a late bus for students leaving at 6:00.
Q 6: The bouquet was made up of pink flowers.
Q 7: David’s bicycle broke down in the middle for the street.
Q 8: Rene’s design studio was closed for a few days for renovation.
Q 9: Our home was burgled about two months ago.
Q 10: Timmy, a professional football player, is exceptionally talented.
Q 11: The man with blue jacket left the room in a hurry.
Q 12: We saw the lock open when we were entering the house.
Q 13: Call the girl with blue umbrella.
Q 14: We met him when he was buying grocery.
Q 15: The filmmaker made severalmovies.
Q 16: David has traveled to many countries.
Q 17: The batsman was batting excellent.
Q 18: The old lady was speaking softly to the child.
Q 19: The little girl was writing notes quickly.
Q 20: The movie was gripping.
Q 21: Emma was relieved after knowing the truth.
Q 22: We were waiting in front of a red brick building.
Q 23: The dog was so exhausted after playing in the park.
Q 24: Sheila would like to have black coffee.
Q 25: Vicky got injured while cycling.
Q 26: I kept walking with injured toe.
Q 27: Nina sleeps in the night with lights on.
Q 28: Please lock the door after everybody has left.
Q 29: France who was the defending champion lost to Argentina in FIFA 2022.
Q 30: The brown ccoat with red bow was sold out within hours.
Q 31: Summer drinks that have mint are so refreshing.
Q 32: We need to clean the house after the party.
Q 33: Dana who suffered leg injury will be playing tonight.
Q 34: The red car with no number plate was apprehended at the crossing.
Q 35: Laptop with a webcam is required for online interview.
Answers:
Q 1: Racing against the time Q 2: While at grocery store Q 3: Sitting Q 4: Whose roof is green Q 5: Late Q 6: Pink Q 7: David’s bicycle Q 8: Rene’s design studio Q 9: Our home Q 10: A professional football player Q 11: With blue jacket Q 12: When we were entering the house Q 13: With blue umbrella Q 14: When he was buying grocery Q 15: Several Q 16: Many Q 17: Excellent. Q 18: Softly Q 19: Quickly Q 20: Gripping Q 21: After knowing the truth Q 22: Red brick Q 13: Bo Q 24: Black Q 25: While cycling Q 26: with Q 27: with Q 28: after Q 29: who was Q 30: with red bow Q 31: that have mint Q32: after Q 33: who suffered Q34: with no number plate Q 35: with a webcam
Also Read: MBA Preparation 2024: Tips to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams
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