Modifiers — Definition, Types, and Examples
What is a modifier?
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that provides additional information about another word, phrase, or clause within a sentence. Modifiers can either function as adjectives or adverbs and be positioned before (pre-modifiers) or after (post-modifiers) the information it modifies.
Types of modifiers
There are two main types of modifiers – adjectives and adverbs.
Adjectives modify a noun or pronoun.
Single-word adjectives: Single-word modifiers can be typical descriptive adjectives.
They went on a family vacation.
The adjective “family” modifies the noun “vacation.”
Single-word determiners: Determiners help identify to what a noun is referring. Determiners include: possession (his), demonstrative (this), quantifiers (many), interrogatives (what), and articles (a, an, the).
He didn’t know it was her book.
The adjective “her” (possessive determiner) modifies the noun “book.”
Adjectival phrases: An adjective phrase is a group of words (multi-word) used to describe a noun.
They found it to be an extremely expensive house.
The adjectival phrase “extremely expensive” modifies the noun “house.”
Adjectival clauses: An adjectival clause is a dependent clause that modifies the main noun in the independent clause.
The student who sits in the front row loves to read.
The dependent clause “who sits in the front row” modifies the noun “student.”
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They usually describe how, when, where, how often, or how much a verb is done. Many adverbs end in “-ly.”
Single-word adverbs: A single-word adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.
She sings nicely.
The adverb “nicely” modifies the verb “sing” by describing how she sings.
Adverbial phrases: An adverbial phrase is a group of words that function as an adverb.
He likes to read in his bedroom.
The phrase “in his bedroom” modifies the verb “read” by describing where he read.
Adverbial clauses: An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that modifies the main verb in the independent clause.
He stayed until she came home from work.
The clause “until she came home from work” modifies the verb “stayed” by describing how long he stayed.
Modifier placement errors
There are three types of errors when it comes to the placement of modifiers within a sentence: misplaced modifiers, squinting modifiers, and dangling modifiers.
Misplaced: A modifier should be placed directly before or after what it modifies. When this does not happen, it can create a misplaced modifier, which can confuse a reader or create an absurd sentence. Consider the following sentence:
I took a picture of an elephant in my pajamas.
The phrase “in my pajamas” directly follows the noun “elephant;” therefore, the sentence suggests that the elephant was wearing pajamas rather than the photographer.
Placing the modifier next to the subject of the sentence will help fix the error.
While I was in my pajamas, I took a picture of an elephant.
Squinting: Technically classified as a type of misplaced modifier, a squinting modifier occurs when it could apply to either what comes before or after it.
Runners who slow down briefly restore their energy.
Does the modifier “briefly” modify “slow down” or “restore”?
Runners who briefly slow down restore their energy.
Runners who slow down restore their energy briefly.
Dangling: Dangling modifiers happen when the subject being modified is not present in the sentence.
To leave school early, a parent’s note is needed.
Who is leaving school? Who needs a note? The modifier “to leave school” does not have a subject to modify. By adding the subject “students,” the sentence no longer has a dangling modifier.
To leave school early, students need a note from their parent.
Modifier examples
The following sentences include modifiers in bold and what they modify in italics.
Single-word adjectives
They wanted to buy a new car.
He felt nervous riding a wooden rollercoaster.
She enjoyed green apples more than red ones.
Single-word determiners
Why was his coat on the ground?
Your shipment arrived yesterday.
Going to the carnival was their idea.
Adjectival phrases
They finally turned off the incredibly bright light.
He is from a town outside of Detroit.
The snow was a dazzling shade of white.
Adjectival clauses
The deer that gather in my backyard are gone.
My neighbor who moved last year is coming to visit.
Those cars that have been parked in the alley will be towed.
Single-word adverbs
He gracefully admitted defeat.
She daringly leaped across the canyon.
They always agreed on where to go to dinner.
Adverbial phrases
After the exam, I breathed a sigh of relief.
To keep the peace, the politician stepped down.
They considered their next steps very carefully.
Adverbial clauses
We bought tickets before we knew you wanted to go.
Once the snow stopped, we all went out to sled.
After he called his parents, he went right to bed.