Types of Modifiers

Modifiers bring sentences to life by providing vivid description about

things and actions. Regardless of length or form (words, phrases, or
clauses), modifiers fall into two categories. They function as
adjective if they describe people, places, things, or ideas; they
function as adverb if they describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

1. Adjectives:
You might be aware of what adjectives are. The words that modify
nouns and pronouns are called adjectives. An adjective modifies a
word by telling
• What kind? Example: big, easy, exciting…
• Which one? Example: that, last, middle …
• How much/many? Example: less, many…
Adjective as Modifier:

An adjective may come after or before the word it modifies.

The conference on improving water resources was attended by

several activists.

Here,

several = adjective
activists = noun
Adjective Phrase as Modifier:

An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or

a pronoun.

Have you read the novel by Margaret Atwood?

Here,

novel = noun
margaret atwood = adjective phrase
In the sentence above, the adjective phrase ‘by Margaret Atwood’
answers the question ‘which one.’ It modifies the noun ‘novel.’

Adjective Clause as Modifier:

An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or a

pronoun. An adjective clause begins with the relative pronouns such
as who, whom, whose, that, and which.

We must find a person who will help to restore consumer confidence.

Here,

person = noun
who will help to restore consumer confidence = adjective phrase
The adjective clause ‘who will help to restore consumer confidence’
modifies the noun ‘person’ and gives information on ‘what kind of
person.’
2. Adverbs:
An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by
making its meaning more specific. An adverb tells when, where, why,
how, or to what extent the action occurs.
Adverb Modifying Verb:

I voluntarily offered help to an old man to cross the road.

Here,

voluntarily = adverb
offered = verb
In this sentence, the adverb ‘voluntarily’ modifies the verb ‘offered,’
telling how the action is done.

Adverb Modifying Adjective:

We would be extremely grateful if you could have a word with Mark.

Here,

extremely = adverb
grateful = adjective
The adverb ‘extremely’ modifies the adjective ‘grateful,’ telling to
what extent.

Adverb Modifying Another Adverb:

Poe fell and hurt his leg rather badly.

Here,

rather = adverb
badly = adverb
The adverb ‘rather’ modifies another adverb ‘badly,’ which modifies
the verb ‘hurt.’
Adverb Phrase as Modifier:
An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an
adjective, or an adverb.

When I was at the podium, I was surprised to see all my friends

seated in the front row.

Here,

seated = verb
in the front row = prep.phrase(adverb)
In this sentence, the prepositional phrase ‘in the front row’ functions
as an adverb modifying the verb ‘seated.’
Adverb Clause as Modifier:
An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an
adjective, or an adverb in the main clause. Adverb clauses are
introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as after, although, as,
because, before, if, since, than, though, unless, until, when, and
where.

When Robert Frost was about eleven years old, his father died.
Here,

When robert frost was about eleven years old = adverb clause
died = verb
The adverb clause modifies the verb ‘died,’ telling when Frost’s
father died.