Basic Modifiers
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How to Make Sentences More Interesting
The sentences we have looked at so far have been a bit boring. This
is because we have not added many modifiers. Modifiers do
exactly what the word means: modify, or change. They change or
add to the meaning of something. Two basic modifiers
are adjectives and adverbs.
Adjectives
Adjectives modify (or describe) nouns and pronouns. Adjectives
usually explain “which one,” “how many,” or “what kind.”
Examples of adjectives include kind, tall, simple, rude, eight, a
lot, his.
Adverbs
Adverbs modify (or describe) verbs. They can also modify adjectives
and other adverbs. Adverbs usually tell us “how,” “when,” “where,”
“how often,” and “how long.”
Examples of adverbs
include quickly, clearly, very, here, there, frequently, never, soon.
In the examples below, the sentences have modifiers that change or
add meaning to the sentence:
Baby (adj.) kittens are often (adv.) tired.
The tall (adj.) mountains look beautiful (adv.).
In these examples, the sentences do not have modifiers:
The kittens run.
He hikes.
Practice Problems
1. Which sentences contain modifiers? Choose all that
apply.
1. He eats rice.
2. They enjoy sweet foods.
3. The dog is sleeping.
4. I think Ben is nice.
5. She runs daily.
6. Mom never buys candy.
2. In the following sentence, which word is an
adjective? My dog is loving.
3. In the following sentence, which word is an
adjective? Please buy green apples.
4. In the following sentence, which word is an
adjective? We are tired.
5. In the following sentence, which word is an
adjective? Someone ate his lunch.
6. In the following sentence, which word is an
adverb? She spoke kindly.
7. In the following sentence, which word is an
adverb? The pilot expertly flew the plane.
8. In the following sentence, which word is an
adverb? My kids were hungry.
9. In the following sentence, which word is an
adverb? John never smiled.
10. In the following sentence, which word is an
adverb? She spoke sweetly to us.
Answer Key:
Answers:
1. They enjoy sweet foods. I think Ben is nice. She runs daily. Mom never
buys candy.
2. loving
3. green
4. tired
5. his
6. kindly
7. expertly
8. hungry
9. never
10. sweetly