Questions tagged [modifiers]
A modifier is a word (generally an adjective, or a noun used as attribute) that changes the sense of the head noun.
255 questions
0
votes
2
answers
24
views
Does 'First Mention' Override Uniqueness in Some Cases When Choosing Articles?
I'm revisiting a topic that I believe hasn't received a proper answer yet: choosing between the indefinite and the definite articles when a modifier is used in a noun phrase.
Please see the following ...
- 233
2
votes
1
answer
32
views
Which verb tense best completes this sentence according to Standard English conventions?
The Many Farms Chapter is one of the 110 chapters of the Navajo Nation (Naabeehó Bináhásdzó). The chapter, known as Dá’ák’eh Halání in the Navajo language (Diné bizaad), was the subject of a profile ...
- 39
0
votes
1
answer
65
views
the story of warming, which could grow
But the scope of the world’s transformation may just as quickly
eliminate the genre—indeed eliminate any effort to tell the story of
warming, which could grow too large and too obvious even for
...
- 143
4
votes
4
answers
387
views
Does a Perceived Lack of Shared Knowledge Force the Speaker to use an Indefinite Article?
I recently found a discussion online about choosing between the articles when specific modifiers are used. The following examples were provided:
[1] Have you ever heard of a fruit called the jacobo ...
- 233
0
votes
1
answer
18
views
When a participle phrase follows a prepositional phrase, what is the participle phrase modifying?
Per title, when a participle phrase follows a prepositional phrase, what is the participle phrase modifying?
For example, in:
Jim tripped, falling to the floor.
"Falling to the floor" ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
22
views
What is the difference between a noun modifier of a verb in its base form or participle form?
For example, what difference does it make if I name the CPU core that does the checking work "check/checking core"?
0
votes
0
answers
51
views
What part of linguistics is "number two" in the sentence "i have number two"?
What part of linguistics is "number two" in the sentence "i have number two"?. Let's split it and discuss it into "number" and "two"
Is "two" an ...
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
165
views
Are "very alone" and "very much alone" interchangeable?
Are "very alone" and "very much alone" used interchangeably?
If not, when to use one and when the other?
britannica.com:
(1) He felt very alone when he went away to school.
my ...
- 5,661
0
votes
0
answers
40
views
What article (if any) to use with the word 'subculture'?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word 'subculture' is countable, which means it should be used with an article. However, I often see it used without any. For example:
Much of the available ...
- 642
0
votes
2
answers
58
views
singular or plural form of noun modifier when noun is plural
Should I say, curriculum assignments are changing? Or should I say, the curricula assignments are changing?
1
vote
1
answer
52
views
what does a prepositional phrase that follows a that clause modify?
Consider the following sentence:
As secretary, you are to set a meeting agenda that includes discussions in concert with the boss.
What word does the prepositional phrase "in concert with the ...
- 27
2
votes
3
answers
52
views
How about 'participating something in '?
My student wrote down this answer in an exam.
Participating audience members in the music-making process can enhance the level of engagement and enjoyment for everyone involved.
The original ...
user502505
0
votes
1
answer
75
views
a lot of books ('a lot of' books or a lot 'of books')
a lot of books
In short, 'a lot of'(premodifier) books or a lot 'of books'(postmodifier)?
If premodifier is correct, 'a lot of' is an adjectival phrase that modifies 'books'; if not, 'a lot' is a ...
- 5,072
2
votes
1
answer
71
views
"It looked not (very) large." is correct with "very" but incorrect without, right?
The aim of this question is to understand the structure "not + modifier + adjective/adverb" better.
Does it always sound natural?
If not, then when can we use it and when not?
the textbook &...
- 5,661
2
votes
1
answer
67
views
What does "with trolls" modify in "I have a special gift with trolls"?
"Certainly. I have a special gift with trolls, -- you must have seen what I did to the one in the chamber back there?"
From Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone
I really don'...
user183853
1
vote
2
answers
104
views
"To take a walk to home"
"I took a walk to home".
I think "to home" modifies noun "walk", not verb "took". Is it right?
I think "took" itself isn't connected to direction, ...
user183211
-1
votes
3
answers
108
views
"I have a conversation about chemistry"
I had a conversation about chemistry.
It literally means I talked about chemistry with somebody.
Does it make the same sense if "about chemistry" modifies verb "had a converstion",...
user183211
0
votes
1
answer
48
views
Can "once" modify the conjunctional clause?
Once when I was six I saw a magnificent picture in a book about the
jungle, called True Stories.
It's from "the Little Prince".
If "once" and "when I was six" are ...
user183211
0
votes
2
answers
62
views
Adverb "honestly" —At the beginning & At the mid position
I can't honestly say what time I'll be home.
Vs
Honestly, I can't say what time I'll be home.
I think there is subtle difference in meaning, but I am not sure, Explain me the usage of the ...
- 1,953
2
votes
1
answer
58
views
In this context "Possibly" is modifying what?
It's a possibly dangerous situation.
I think "possibly" modifies the adjective "dangerous" or "dangerous situation",
doesit(possibly)indicate manner?
I found a definition ...
- 1,953
12
votes
9
answers
3k
views
What's the difference between "might..." and "might potentially... "?
newly available oil might potentially create a drop in prices.
VS
newly available oil might create a drop in prices.
With me, I think both implying almost same meaning. What is the word "...
- 1,953
0
votes
1
answer
52
views
What's the meaning of "community involvement"?
She saw community involvement as crucial.
How the word "community" is modifying the word"involvement"?how the meaning is changing after adding the word "community" to the ...
- 1,953
1
vote
2
answers
38
views
Is there an implicit "the" in this sentence?
I'm looking at the sentence "The Big E and the Topsfield Fair are coming."
These are both names of festivals. The full name of the first is "The Big E," while the latter is ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
86
views
We can't remove article from a singular countable noun. So is that a noun modifier or complement?
We can't remove article from a singular countable noun. So is that a noun modifier or complement?
We generally call it a modifier though it's mandatory...But why?🤔
3
votes
2
answers
197
views
Question about adverbs and what they modify
Consider the following sentences
I am definitely very hungry
I am definitely a hungry person
I am definitely hungry
I am always hungry
I’m unsure of how to tell what these adverbs modify. Do ...
Charles
4
votes
1
answer
111
views
What does 'ever' modify?
It was my first game ever.
Does ever modify was or first?
This is my first time ever playing basketball.
Does ever modify is or first?
Rick
0
votes
1
answer
22
views
How do I say that something is partly new in the form of a premodifier?
If I want to premodify a noun by saying that it is partly new, how do I do this? Neither of the following gets more than one or two hits on Google, and no hits at all on Ngrams, so I suspect they aren'...
- 185
0
votes
2
answers
44
views
Is the phrase 'the delusive nature of' related to next phrases?
In this following context, is the phrase 'the delusive nature of' related to the next bold and italic phrases as:
'the delusive nature of ego-entity,
the delusive nature of the mere relative value of ...
- 453
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
What does this "as-clause" modify?
He then describes the situation as he sees it in the public schools of the United states. (Source: COCA)
I want to know whether the as-clause "as he sees it in the public schools of the United ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
13
views
Can I put "as evidenced by" as a non-essential clause here?
Overall, as corruption is widespread, as evidenced by corruption at
both the elite and grassroots levels, socialism does not work.
Is the above sentence correct? I tried to modify "widespread&...
- 615
0
votes
1
answer
40
views
Does my usage of "thereby" have the intended meaning here?
Moreover, the socialist states are less prosperous because the means of production are nationalized instead of being under private control, thereby reducing incentives for economic progress.
I'm ...
- 615
0
votes
1
answer
42
views
adverbs modifying causative "have"
The verb "tell" can take a modifying adverb as follows:
John told Bill emphatically to stay away from Sarah. (The adverb modifies "tell.")
I'm wondering if the causative verb &...
- 6,000
2
votes
3
answers
119
views
**At noon**—what it is modifying the verb "is" or the noun"Film"?
There is a film at noon we could see.
How to know what at noon modifies in this sentence?
- 1,953
1
vote
1
answer
81
views
Why is there no article in this sentence?
Here's the sentence:
Enter University of Cambridge zoologist Ricardo Rocha.
It is a complete sentence from an IELTS text. My question is: why is there no article before 'university,' as 'University ...
- 642
1
vote
1
answer
49
views
They found the stone-tipped spears created larger 'wounds' than the wooden (ones)
In this article in the Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2735926/Stone-Age-spears-lethal-BULLETS.html is the sentence:
They found the stone-tipped spears created larger '...
- 720
-2
votes
1
answer
60
views
In this sentence, what does "being seen as somehow sinful" modify?
I was reading a PDF on Linguahouse about Netflix when I came across this part:
Many point to how television used to be a shared experience: a topic of discussion at work, a meeting of everyone in the ...
1
vote
2
answers
41
views
Is an article determained by the possessive 's?
Today I came across the following sentence:
AI's decision-making process is usually too difficult for most people to comprehend.
It seemed weird to me because I thought that the word process ...
- 642
1
vote
2
answers
61
views
Use of articles when a noun serves as a modifier
I've just came across the following sentence in an IELTS test book:
They found items such as ancient arrows and skis from Viking Age
traders.
I was surprised that there was no 'the' before 'Viking ...
- 642
0
votes
1
answer
26
views
I don't know what follows what in this sentence
Officials familiar with the calls say the efforts have not been a departure from the administration’s efforts over the past year to push oil producers to keep production levels high after Russia’s ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
26
views
A fundamental doubt I'd like to clear today
I've asked many people how to know whether an adjective is modifying it or making it specific when the adjective is placed before a noun.
Most have told it depends on the context. But one person said ...
- 61
0
votes
3
answers
63
views
a question about plain language and unnecessary modifiers (not a homework question)
The question below (see the picture) is from Writing in Plain Language course on Linkedin Learning. It's the second last question on the curriculum though. Well, the answer is B (the one in the middle)...
user138449
0
votes
1
answer
29
views
Hanging on vs To hang on
[Error Correction ]
The right wall of my bedroom had nothing ( hanging on，except a clock) .
A. except a clock hanging
B. to be hanging on，except acloc k
C. to hang on，except a clock
D. except a ...
- 1,907
0
votes
0
answers
32
views
Title case: Which is better ? pre or post-modifier in this case?
Followings are titles for a thesis on Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Allegory of the Good Government.
Ambrogio Lorenzetti depicted two Justices in his picture.
Among the four, which one is grammatically best ? ...
2
votes
1
answer
138
views
Participle phrase as adjunct or modifier
Consider the below sentence:
Revolution broke out in France in 1789, most cogently symbolised then as now by the storming of the Bastille on 14 July.
The participle phrase most cogently symbolised ...
- 453
-1
votes
1
answer
87
views
a lot of money (what is a modifier?)
a lot of money
'of money' modifies 'a lot'? or 'a lot of' modifies 'money'?
a: an indefinite article which modifies a 'noun'
lot: many definitions; one of them: a considerable quantity or extent(a ...
- 5,072
0
votes
1
answer
45
views
Attributive nouns: 'trade' and 'trading' with a noun
I am a bit confused when it comes to attributive nouns, i.e. when nouns serve as adjectives. The greatest problem for me is whether I need to use attributive nouns as they are or in their -ing form. ...
- 642
0
votes
1
answer
37
views
Is "connecting" used correctly in the sentence below?
The ed-modifier and ing-modifier have been very difficult topics of English. Can I use both of them in the following sentence :
There have been 2 bridges erected, connecting the lake’s shores.
I ...
1
vote
1
answer
38
views
V-ing as noun modifier
Just about anyone living in the area at that time is at risk. （From CGEL, 2002, p. 162）
I understand it's equivalent to
Just about anyone who lived in the area at that time is at risk.
I wrote a ...
- 1,907
1
vote
0
answers
31
views
as it invests heavily in augmented and virtual reality
What does the boldfaced phrase modify?
Meta Platforms, the company formerly known as Facebook, had its worst day ever on the stock market Thursday, after reporting a rare profit decline and stagnant ...
- 6,000
1
vote
1
answer
24
views
Does "which" refer to the Chinese buzzwords or the social changes and cultures?
The Chinese buzzwords usually reflect the social changes and cultures, some of which are increasingly popular with the foreign media.
I saw this sentence in an exam. What is the antecedent of " ...
- 472