modifiers
Words that adjust
Modifiers are words or phrases that describe, limit, or qualify other words.
Adjectives modify nouns (a *red* apple); adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (runs *quickly*).
A dangling modifier attaches to the wrong word or nothing at all: *Walking to school*, the rain started leaves unclear who was walking.
A misplaced modifier sits too far from what it modifies: I only ate *one* cookie versus I ate only *one* cookie.
Noun-describing word type
- adverbVerb or adjective modifier
- determinerNoun-introducing word class
- qualifierWord or phrase limiting meaning
- descriptorWord that describes something
clause · phrase · syntax · preposition · article · pronoun · inflection · morphology
Standard or attribute
- traitDistinguishing personal quality
- characteristicDistinguishing quality or trait
- featureDistinguishing quality or element
- propertySomething owned or inherent
aspect · dimension · facet · nuance · detail · specificity · particularity · distinctive
Increase in strength
- boostUpward push or increase
- heightenIncrease in degree
- strengthenMake more robust
- magnifyIncrease perceived size
deepen · reinforce · accentuate · escalate · exacerbate · aggravate · compound · redouble
adjective
Noun-describing word type
- adverbVerb or adjective modifier
- determinerNoun-introducing word class
- qualifierWord or phrase limiting meaning
descriptor · clause · phrase · syntax · preposition · article · pronoun · inflection · morphology · complement
quality
Standard or attribute
- traitDistinguishing personal quality
- characteristicDistinguishing quality or trait
- featureDistinguishing quality or element
property · aspect · dimension · facet · nuance · detail · specificity · particularity · distinctive · descriptor
amplify
Increase in strength
- boostUpward push or increase
- heightenIncrease in degree
- strengthenMake more robust
magnify · deepen · reinforce · accentuate · escalate · exacerbate · aggravate · compound · redouble · augment
adjust
Change to fit better
alter · change · vary · calibrate · fine-tune · personalize · customize · tailor · set · parameter
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- modifiersadjectives, adjective, adverb, descriptives, descriptors
modifiersheads
Top of bodies
headwords · nuclei · predicates · governors · arguments
modifiersheads
Top of bodies
essentials · governors · arguments · principals · roots
- Genetically modified foodProduce with altered DNA
- dangling modifierPhrase with unclear referent
- genetically modified cropsPlants with altered DNA
- genetically modifiedAltered at DNA level
- modified rulesGuidelines changed from original
- modified starchChemically altered carbohydrate thickener