MODIFICATION
12th &13th meeting
Modifier
A modifier is a subordinate element in and endocentric
structure.
Ex;
dirty
dog
mod
NH
dog
there
NH
mod
extremely dirty
quite expensive
A modifier can modify noun, adj, verb, adverb or even non
suffixing words but in this unit we will restrict to the use
of modifier in the noun phrase and sentence.
Sentence Modifier
A sentence modifier is an adverbial that
modifies a whole sentence.
Ex; Naturally, he behaved at the party.
S. Mod
Sentence
In the sentence above, the word naturally
modifies the whole he behaved at the
party sentence.
The Noun Phrase: Prenominal
Modifiers
Prenominal modifiers are the modifiers which
precede the head of a noun phrase.
ex: Those
dirty
wool socks
det
mod
mod
NH
There are some elements of prenominal modifiers
like noun (I), Adjective (II), Post determiner (III),
Determiner (IV), Predeterminer (V), Restricter
(VI).
Determiner (IV), although it’s not a modifier, is
included in the prenominal elements because it’s
an necesarry part of a Noun phrase.
The fence
D
NH
That low fence
D Aj NH
Our garden fence
D
N
NH
Our
sturdy garden
D (IV)
Aj(II) N(I)
fence
NH
Determiner (IV) may consist of two subclasses:
1. Det (IVa) which consists of articles, poss adj,
poss. of names, demonstratives.
ex; that shiny leather shoes
IVa II
I
2. Det (IVb) which consist of another, any, each,
either, enough, much, neither, no, some, what,
which, whose.
ex; another young English teacher
IVb
II
I
All the
pretty
horses
V
IVa
II
The word all is in the position
V(Predeterminer).
Predeterminer is a word that precede the
determiner.
Predeterminer consists of all, both, half,
double and few others.
Both
those
two aimless fellows
V
IVa
III
II
Position III is called postdeterminer
position.
This position is located after the determiner.
Postdeterminer consists of cardinal
numbers, ordinal numbers, poss of
common nouns.
Especially
all
our guests
VI
V
IVA
The last of the prenominals is the
restricters which occupy VI position.
Restricters precede the predeterminer(V).
Restricters consists of especially, even,
just, merely, only, particularly, almost,
nearly.