MODIFIERS
Modifiers are words that describe different parts of speech. They may come
in the form of adjectives and adverbs. As simple as it may seem, modifiers can be
one of the trickiest subjects in the entrance exam. It can catch you before you even
know it.
ADJECTIVES
Adjectives are words that describe nouns and pronouns. Adjectives usually
answer one of a few different questions - "What kind?" or "Which?" or "How many?"
In most cases, adjectives precede the noun or pronoun that they modify. However,
there are cases when it is difficult to tell whether a word is used as an adjective,
adverb, or noun. Here are some helpful tips:
1. Linking verbs
Linking verbs are useful in determining whether a modifier is an adjective or
an adverb. Linking verbs do not express action. They simply relate the subject with
another word or phrase.
The modifier that comes after a linking verb is generally an adjective.
The most common kind of linking verb is the be verb. A be verb is a linking
verb when it is a standalone in a sentence. On the other hand, the be verb is a
helping verb when be is combined with an action verb.
Linking Verb: She is fast. (ADJECTIVE)
Helping Verb: She is running fast. (ADVERB)
SOME LINKING VERBS
grow look prove remain
smell sound taste turn
stay get appear feel
Linking Verb: It looks cold outside.
Linking Verb: It only gets better.
An easy way to determine if a verb is linking or action, is to substitute the
verb with a be verb (am, is, are). If the sentence still sounds logical after the
substitution, then the verb in question is a linking verb.
Example: The troops stayed loyal to the general during the battle.
Substitute: The troops were loyal to the general during the battle.
Explanation:
Since the substitute makes sense, and the meaning of the sentence remains,
"stayed" is therefore used as a linking verb. Furthermore, it is followed by the
adjective "loyal."
Example: Portia, stay with your aunt until your uncle returns.
Substitute: Portia, is with your aunt until your uncle returns.
Explanation:
The substitute sentence does not make sense. "Stay," in this sentence, is used as
an action verb.
2. Noun as Adjective
Noun does not only function as the object of modification, but can also act as
a modifier itself. Noun as an adjective is categorized under "Purpose" in the
sequence of adjectives in a series. When a noun is used as an adjective, it always
takes the singular form.
We had creamy pumpkin soup for dinner.
My dad bought a new mountain bike.
A. HYPHENATED ADJECTIVE
Hyphenated adjectives are a usual sight but we often get confused whether
to hyphenate them or not. Below are the rules and exceptions in hyphenating
adjectives.
Rule: If two or more words are used as an adjective unit directly before a noun, a
hyphen should be used to combine the words. When those words are placed after
the noun, a hyphen should not be used.
Examples:
The blue-eyed baby [...]
The baby was blue eyed.
Tone-deaf singer [...]
The singer is tone deaf.
Exception 1:
Do not use hyphen after an adverb ending in -ly.
Examples: newly picked roses
sickly sour odor
Exception 2:
There may be times when superlatives ang need hyphens. If the comparative or
superlative modifier qualities p. succeeding noun, it does not require a hyphen.
Examples: oldest surviving veteran
oldest modifies (surviving veteran)
On the other hand, a comparative or superlative that modifies the succeeding
modifier, not the noun, requires a hyphen.
Examples: longest-running TV show
(longest modifies running) TV show
(longest-running) modifies TV show
Exception 3:
Do not use a hyphen in a chemical term.
Examples: Codeine phosphate solution
Monomethyl ether compound
B. ADJECTIVES IN A SERIES
There are many types of adjectives (color, shape, size, etc.) and they may
appear in a series to describe à single word. A general rule is followed in arranging
adjectives in a series. The order of English adjectives in a series is:
The order of English adjectives in a series is
DOSAShCOMP
1. Determiner
articles - (a, an, the), possessive adjectives (his/her, Jenny's), numerals
(one, third) demonstrative adjectives (this, those), indefinite adjectives
(several, some)
2. Opinion
beautiful, noisy, fragrant, delicious, rough. expensive, nondescript
3. Size
small, big, enormous, microscopic, colossal. puny
4. Age
young, old, ancient, new, antique, modern, sixteen-year-old
5. Shape
a round, cylindrical, flat, chubby, crooked, shallow
6. Color
pink, greenish, dark, fiery, multicolored, colorless, opaque, fluorescent,
two-tone, washed-out
7. Origin
Philippine, Parisian, Asian, Victorian, Renaissance, Christian, Lutheran,
Eastern
8. Material
mixed-media, cotton, paper, metallic, satin, meteoric,
9. Purpose - A often regarded as part of the noun e.g., sleeping (as in 'sleeping
bag'), rocking (as in 'rocking chair"), basketball (as in basketball players"),
book (as in 'book cover')
Example:
WRONG: A tall, dark, and handsome man walked past us.
RIGHT: A handsome, tall, and dark man walked past us.
However, the phrase "tall, dark, and handsome" has become idiomatic that it
is now considered correct.
Examples:
1. My aunt's thick, antique, round, multicolored, Persian rugs are kept in the big
closet.
2. Did you put three-quarters, sweet, dark cane vinegar in the salad dressing?
General Rule: A comma (,) is put after every adjective in a series of more than two
adjectives EXCEPT after the "purpose" adjective, which is regarded as a part of
the noun being modified.
ADVERBS
An adverb indicates manner, time, place, degree, and cause. It also answers
the questions how, when, where, and how much. An adverb is often formed by
adding -ly to an adjective. However, there are cases in which an adverb's spelling is
entirely different from or exactly the same as its adjective form. These kinds of
adverbs are called "irregular adverbs."
SOME IRREGULAR ADVERBS
far daily low
good long early
loud fast much
first near straight
hard wide high
little late
To identify a modifier as an adjective or an adverb, find the word it modifies.
An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun while an adverb modifies a verb, an
adjective, or another adverb.
A. DOUBLE NEGATIVES
A double negative happens when two forms, way of negation are used in a
sentence. It is usually produced by combining the negative form of the verb with a
negative pronoun adverb, or conjunction. A double negative gives the sentence a
positive sense.
Examples:
WRONG: I did not see nothing. (SIMILAR TO "I SAW SOMETHING*)
RIGHT: I did not see anything.
WRONG: I did not have neither her address nor phone number.
RIGHT: I did not have either her address or phone number.
I have neither her address nor phone number.
MODIFIER PLACEMENT
Aside from one-word adjectives and adverbs, modifiers also include adjective
phrases. adverbial phrases, adjective clauses, and adverbial clauses. In using
modifiers in a sentence, The Law of Proximity should be observed. That is, any
modifier should be as close as possible to the word it modifies.
A. DANGLING MODIFIER
A modifying phrase is usually separated from the main part of the sentence
by one or more commas. A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not
logically modify the word that comes before (modifying phrase that follows the
sentence base) or after the comma (modifying phrase that begins the sentence).
Examples:
WRONG: Walking down the Yellow Brick Road, the Castle of Great Oz was
seen. RIGHT:Walking down the Yellow Brick Road, we saw the Castle of the
Great Oz.
WRONG: After driving all day, the resort was a welcome sight.
RIGHT: After driving all day, we were welcomed by the sight of the
resort.
WRONG: To write effectively, practice is necessary.
RIGHT: To write effectively, one must practice.
WRONG: While combing my hair this morning, a man's face appeared at
the window.
RIGHT: While combing my hair this morning, saw a man's face appear at
the window.
B. MISPLACED MODIFIER
Misplaced modifiers are positioned incorrectly in the sentence thus modifying
the wrong word.
1. Misplaced Adverb
Place the adverbs only, almost, even, ever, just, merely, and scarcely right
next to the word they modify. Study how meaning changes with the
different placements of these adverbs:
Examples:
1. The cat almost ate all the fish on the plate.
Meaning: The cat was about to start eating the fish when something stopped
it.
VS
The cat ate almost all the fish on the plate.
Meaning: It ate some and left a few fish behind.
2. I nearly earned a thousand pesos.
Meaning: I was so close to earning some money, but I did not.
VS
I earned nearly a thousand pesos.
Meaning; I earned hundreds of pesos but not enough to make a thousand. ni
2. Misplaced Modifying Phrase
Examples:
WRONG: My older brother bought a couple ring from the jewelry shop,
which cost two thousand pesos.
RIGHT: My older brother bought a couple ring, which cost two thousand
pesos, from the jewelry shop.
WRONG: The rattlesnake was seen by the local slithering along the
roadside.
RIGHT: The rattlesnake slithering along the road was seen by the locals.
mi
3. Misplaced Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase is a modifying phrase that begins with a
preposition (e.g. in, on, at, for, from to).
Examples:
WRONG: At the bottom of the fish tank, Bobby saw the goldfish.
RIGHT: Bobby saw the goldfish at the bottom of the fish tank.
4. Misplaced Appositive
An appositive is a noun, noun phrase, or a series of nouns that explains or
identifies the word or phrase next to it.
Examples:
WRONG: A splendid example of late synthetic cubism, Picasso painted
Three Musicians in the summer of 1924.
RIGHT: A splendid example of late synthetic cubism, Three Musicians
was painted by Picasso in the summer of 1924.
RIGHT: Picasso painted Three Musicians, splendid example of late
synthetic cubism, in the summer of 1924.
WRONG: Topped with balsamic vinegar and relish, I loved this salad.
RIGHT: I loved this salad topped with balsamic vinegar and relish.
5. Split Infinitive
An infinitive becomes split when one or more words are placed between
"to" and the base form of the verb.
Example
WRONG: It was my custom to at least once a month to visit my
grandmother.
RIGHT: It was my custom visit my grandmother at least once a month.
