Grammar-Quizzes › Noun Phrases › Modifiers to Nouns

Modifiers to Nouns

Recognize function and form

X structure diagram

leaf fall
the colorful leaves on the ground
‹ diagram ›

► What is a modifier? ▼ Explanation of term

A modifier to a noun:

expresses a dictionary meaning, a particular meaning about — size, shape, color, worth, age, origin, time, source or other identifying (limiting) information.
functions as a word or phrase that adds information about a noun, and is included with the noun in the noun phrase.
takes form as (1) a word placed before the noun such as a determiner (Det), an adjective (Adj), a participle, a noun (N) ; or (2) as a structure placed after the noun such as a prepositional phrase (PP) or a relative clause (Cls). The noun and its modifiers together form a noun phrase (NP).

Other words that modify are related to the predicate: (1) "situational adverbs" that add detail information about the action—manner, frequency, degree and so on; and (2) "stance adverbs" that add opinion or information about the circumstances under which something is being said.

Modifiers to Nouns

Modifier Diagnostic

Participles › (-ed, -ing)

Noun as Modifier

Numbers as Modifiers

How / What! (+ modifiers)

Adjectives ›

An Adjective (uses)

Adjective Order

Adjective Suffixes

"Describing be" + Adj

"Be" + Adjective

Positioned After Noun

Resultative Adjectives

Prep. as Modifier

Relative Clauses ›

Comparatives ›

For example e.g./ i.e.

Related

Modifiers to Adjectives

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive Nouns

Food Quantifiers

Nationality Names

Modifiers to Nouns

Summary of Practices

Modifiers—Diagnostic Quiz

Adj / Modifier Diagnostic: identify specific English grammar points that need review:

This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.

persian cat

Quiz 1: beginning–intermediate

Quiz 2: intermediate–advanced

Modifiers—Adjectives

Adjective Summary ›

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Modifiers to Adj (Adjective Phrases)

Adjective Suffixes

Adjective Order

Be + Adj Complement

Adjective w/ Prep

Resultative Adjectives

Adverbs for Degree (modifier to adjectives)

Red leaves are falling. (attributive Adj)

We saw something red. (post-position!)

The show was awesome / awful. (suffixes)

The sky is /seems /appears blue.

We were happy about the leaf fall. (Adj +P)

The wind pushed the door open.

It was extremely windy.

Modifiers—Nouns

Noun Modifiers: modify a noun with a noun

Beginning–Intermediate ESL

Noun–Noun Modifiers

Modifier Word Form

Relative Meanings

Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)

Practice 1 – multiple choice

Practice 2 – multiple choice

Its a chair for an office.

It's an office chair. (singular)

It is a sports car. (a rare plural modifier)

Number Modifiers: combine a numbers and nouns as a modifier

Beginning–Intermediate ESL

Number-Noun Modifiers

Arabic vs. Spelled Numbers

Common Mistakes

Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)

Practice 1 – multiple choice

Practice 2 – Arabic / spelled number

The ladder had five steps.

It was a five-step ladder.

There are a million uses for WD-40. (spelled out)

Modifiers—Participles -ed/-ing

Participle Summary ›

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Participles as Modifiers 1

Participles as Modifiers 2

Participle Modifier Quiz

Participle w/ Prep

Clause Reduction 1

Clause Reduction 2

Past Participle Clauses

Present Participle Clauses

The entertaining act was free.

The entertained audience clapped enthusiastically.

We heard the sound of breaking dishes.

The broken dishes lay on the ground.

The clown entertaining us was hilarious.

The audience silenced by the announcer watched intently.

Modifiers—Adjective Phrases

Modifiers to Adj: indicate how much or what degree of modification

Beginning–Intermediate ESL

Number-Noun & Adverb Modifiers

Tall–High Modifiers

Long–Wide Modifiers

Dimension Modifier Exceptions

Color Modifiers

Common Mistakes

Practice 1 – multiple choice

Practice 2 – multiple choice

Practice 3 – multiple choice

Related pages: Adverbs of Manner, Adverbs of Degree

The basketball player is nine feet tall. (plural)

He can place a ball in a basket ball hoop ten feet high.

He sleeps in a bed that is nine and a half feet long.

He is extremely tall.

How / What: emphasize opinion with an exclamation (!)

Beginning–Intermediate ESL

How & What Noun Phrases

How–exclamation vs. question

What–exclamation vs. questions

How & What Expressions

Common Mistakes

Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)

Practice 1 – multiple choice

Practice 2 – edit

Related pages: So that/Such that

How beautiful!

How beautiful a creature!

How beautiful it is!

How gracefully it swims!

What a creature! remarkably beautiful or ugly

What a beautiful creature!

*What an awful creature stung me!

*not used

Modifiers—Prepositional Phrases

Noun + Prep Phrase: add modifying information before or after a noun

Beginning–Intermediate ESL

Pre- and Post Position Prepositions

Prepositions w/ noun included (list)

Practice 1 (list)

House sandwiched between other houses

The house next door belongs to my cousin.

Our next-door neighbor is on vacation.

The man on the street was shouting

The on the street man was shouting.

Modifiers—Relative Clauses

Relative Clause Summary ›

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Of which Clause

When/Where Clause

Clause Reduction 1

Clause Reduction 2

Misrelated Clause

Misrelated Clause: improve the positioning of modifying clauses

Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers

Modifying Clauses

Clause Placement

Uses in Writing

Common Mistakes

Practice 1 – multiple choice

Practice 2 – correct / incorrect

Practice 3 – editing

heart in the trash

*Being a guy, it is hard for him to understand her point of view.

Being a guy, he has a hard time understanding her point of view.