A Pro Guide to Understanding Modifiers in English

What is a modifier? A modifier is any word or phrase or even a clause that limits the meaning of or adds to the meaning of other word or phrase. The primary function of modifiers is to modify, i.e., change, limit or add to the meaning of a word or phrase. Modifiers can be premodifiers and post-modifiers. Modifiers can be restrictive and nonrestrictive. Adjectives and adverbs can act as modifiers. 

There are a lot of things to learn about modifiers in English. Continue to read to learn modifier definition, types, roles with example sentences and clear explanations. 

This article covers:

• Modifiers: meaning and definition
• Why care about modifiers? 
• Types of modifiers
• Misplaced modifiers
• Dangling modifiers
• Squinting modifiers

Modifier: Meaning and Definition 

A word, phrase or clause that modifies another elements in a sentence by limiting the meaning of or adding to the meaning of it is called a modifier. 

Modifiers coming before the head or main word are called premodifiers, whereas modifiers sitting after the head or main word are known as post-modifiers. 

The modifiers that are really important to the meaning of a sentence are called restrictive modifiers, whereas the modifiers that are not essential are known as nonrestrictive modifiers. 

Note: If you remove a restrictive modifier from a sentence, the sentence will lose its intended meaning. On the other hand, you can easily leave out a nonrestrictive modifier without affecting the meaning of a sentence. Keep it in mind.

Why Care about Modifiers?

We need to care about modifiers, because we want to be understood when we have conversation with others. The incorrect use of modifiers can mess up everything and create problems for others in understanding you. Therefore, understanding modifiers and using them correctly is important for the following reasons:

1. Your Communication Enhances:

The correct use of modifiers in speech and writing produces clear and detailed communication which allows speakers and writers to convey their messages effectively in all types of communications: academic, professional, formal and informal communications.

2. Your Writing Skills Improve:

When you master modifiers in English, your writing skills get improved which enables you to convey your message in a detailed and engaging style. This mastery of modifiers makes your communication more and more clear and readable for others.

3. You Become More Expressive:

The mastery of modifiers add depth and richness to your expressions which fosters your ability to produce more vivid and comprehensive descriptions. This type of expressiveness is required and helps you in all stages of life. You need it when engaging in storytelling and creative and persuasive writings.

Examples of Modifiers in English

a. John is a good student.

b. He runs fast.

c. Smith is a very clever guy.

d. She finished her dinner very quickly.

e. His car is parked there.

f. I would like to buy this house. 

Types of Modifiers in English

Modifiers are categorized into two basic categories. Here are the two main types of modifiers in English: 

1. Adjectives: they are words that modify nouns or pronouns by giving us more information about them. The nouns or pronouns modified by adjectives can be persons, places or things. Learn more about adjectives and their types.

 

2. Adverbs: they're words that modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs by relating them to time, place, degree, manner, etc. The function of adverbs is to tell us about when, how, why, where, in what manner, an action takes place. Learn more about adverbs and their types.

 

These two types of modifiers can be further categorized into the subcategories of phrases and clauses that function to modify nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs by describing their qualities or relating them to time, place, manner, degree, etc.

 

Examples of Adjectives As Modifiers

a. He is an handsome guy.

b. She is a lovely girl.

c. It's a beautiful house.

Examples of Adverbs As Modifiers

a. He eats slowly.

b. She went quickly.

c. John speaks fast. 

Subtypes of Modifiers in English with Examples 

a. Adjective Phrase As Modifiers: An adjective phrase is a group of words containing a head word (main adjective) and other surrounding words before or after the head word. Adjective phrases modify a noun or pronoun by means of describing them. (learn more about adjective phrases)

Examples:

a. John spilled the very hot coffee on my leg.

b. She has got an extremely beautiful face.

 

b. Adjective Clause As Modifiers: An adjective clause is a group of words containing a subject and a predicate (also see predicate). Adjective clauses modify nouns or pronouns by giving us information about them. 

Examples:

a. The boy who met you yesterday is my friend.

b. The teacher whom you saw there is my uncle.

c. Adverb Phrase As Modifiers: An adverb phrase is a group of words containing a head word (main adverb) and other surrounding words. Adverb phrases, as adverbs, modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. (also see adverb phrase)

Examples:

a. This pen writes amazingly well.

b. John learns everything extremely fast. 

d. Adverb Clause As Modifiers: An adverb clause is a group of words containing a subject and a predicate joined by a subordinating conjunction. Adverb clauses function as adverbs and modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. (also see adverb clause)

Examples:

a. You can put your luggage wherever you like.

b. Inform me whenever he turns up.

e. Demonstratives As Modifiers: Demonstratives such this, that, these and those act as modifiers to modify nouns or pronouns. We use this for singular object which near us, that for singular object which is at a distance, these for plural objects which are near and those for plural objects which are at a distance.

Examples:

a. This pen is beautiful.

b. I want to purchase that bike.

f. Possessives As Modifiers: Possessives such as my, your, his, her, its, our, their also act as modifiers to modify nouns. They're used before nouns to show possession. 

Examples:

a. Your car is beautiful.

b. My laptop functions well.

 

g. Intensifiers As Modifiers: Intensifiers are adverbs or adverb phrases that are used to modify other words in a sentence by emphasizing them.

Examples:

a. This course is completely free.

b. This subject is extremely difficult.

  

h. Prepositional Phrase As Modifiers: Prepositional phrases are a group of words that is used to modify nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs or adjectives by giving us information about location, time, purpose, reason, etc. (also see prepositional phrase)

Examples:

a. The books are on the table.

b. The dog is under the tree.

Other Types of Modifiers in Grammar

Here we discuss the other types of modifiers in English which are considered to be grammatically incorrect. These typos, mistakes and grammatical errors occur due to inattention or hurry while writing. Be careful and avoid these mistakes.

1. Misplaced modifier: A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase or clause that is put in a sentence incorrectly which makes the sentence confusing and leads to an unintended meaning. You need to be careful about using modifiers placement in sentences. 

For example:

Wrong: The food minister talked about the expenses of living with several women.

Right: The food minister talked with several women about the expenses of living.

  

2. Dangling modifiers: A dangling or hanging modifier is a word, phrase or clause that is not clearly mentioned in a sentence which creates the confusion and makes the sentence unclear or even meaningless. You need to avoid using dangling modifiers.

For example:

Wrong: Having collected the assignment, the class was conducted.

Right: Having collected the assignment, the teacher conducted the class.

Note: The difference between a misplaced and dangling modifier is that the word modified is present in the sentence containing a misplaced modifier, whereas the word modified is not present in the sentence containing a dangling modifier. 

3. Squinting modifiers: A squinting modifier is a word, phrase or clause that can equally modify two words placed before and after the squinting modifier in a sentence. Squinting modifiers make sentences ambiguous.  Also avoid using this type of modifiers.

For example:

Wrong: Reading books quickly changes your perception.

Right: Reading books changes your perception quickly.

FAQs - Modifiers in English

What is modifier with examples?

A modifier is any word or phrase or even a clause that limits the meaning of or adds to the meaning of other word or phrase. The primary function of modifiers is to modify, i.e., change, limit or add to the meaning of a word or phrase as in "the books are on the table," "this pen writes extremely well," "the man you met yesterday is my uncle."

What are different types of modifiers in English?

Here are the different types of modifiers in English:

a. adjectives

b. adjective phrases

c. adjective clauses

d. adverbs

e. adverb phrases

f. adverb clauses

g. demonstratives

h. possessives 

i. intensifiers

How many modifiers are there in English grammar?

a. misplaced modifiers

b. squinting modifiers

c. limiting modifiers

d. dangling modifiers

What are pre and post modifiers?

Premodifiers are placed before the words they modify, whereas post-modifiers are put after the words they modify.