Parts of Speech That Can Be Modified

A modifier is a word, phrase or clause that adds description to a sentence to make it more interesting or more accurate. Modifying a part of speech means to change it in some way to give the reader more information. For example, an adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun through description, identification or numbers. An adverb can modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb, a phrase or a complete clause by including information about manner, time, place or cause or degree, such as answering the questions how, when and where.
  1. Adjective Modifying a Noun

    • Adjectives usually answer the questions:

      1. What kind?
      2. Which?
      3. How many?

      A noun is a person, place or thing. Sentences in which the adjective modifies a noun include:

      "I had an exciting day."

      In this sentence, "day" is a noun and "exciting" is an adjective that modifies it. The adjective describes what kind of day the person had.

      "She bought 10 shirts."

      In this sentence, "shirts" is a noun and "10" is an adjective that modifies it. It describes how many shirts the person bought.

    Adjective Modifying a Pronoun

    • A pronoun are worlds that take that place of a noun, such as "I," "you," "he," "she," "it," "we" and "they." Sentences in the adjective modifies a pronoun include:

      "They were hungry."

      In this sentence, "they" is a pronoun and "hungry" is an adjective that modifies it.

      "It was very hot."

      In this sentence, "it" is a pronoun and "hot" is an adjective that modifies it.

    Adverb Modifying a Verb

    • Adverbs are words that are formed by usually adding an -ly to the end of an adjective. They often answer the questions such as:

      1. How?
      2. When?
      3. Where?
      4. How often?

      A verb is a word that denotes an action, a state or a relationship between two things.

      "Kathy snored noisily."

      In this sentence, "noisily" is an adverb that modifies the verb "snored." It describes how the person snored.

      "Jane answered the questions hastily."

      In this sentence, "hastily" is an adverb that modifies the verb "answered." It describes how the person answered the questions.

    Adverb Modifying an Adjective

    • "That noise is extremely annoying."

      "Annoying" is an adjective that modifies the noun "noise'." "Extremely" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "annoying." It describes how annoying the noise is.

    Adverb Modifying another Adverb

    • An example of an adverb modifying another adverb can be found in this sentence:

      "That clown is walking very clumsily."

      In this sentence, "very" is an adverb that modifies the other adverb, "steadily." It describes the degree of the manner in which the clown is walking.

    Adverb Modifying a Phrase

    • A phrase is a group of words used in a sentence that function as a single unit. Adverbs can modify phrases.

      "Grace will never understand the answer to that question."

      In this sentence, "never" is an adverb that modifies the phrase "will understand."

    Adverb Modifying a Complete Clause

    • A complete clause is a part of a sentence that comprises a subject and a predicate and that when used alone can form a complete sentence. The following are examples of sentences wherein the adverb modifies complete clause.

      "Possibly you were misunderstood."

      In this sentence, "possibly" is an adverb that modifies the clause "you were misunderstood."

      "Certainly they will be invited."

      In this sentence, "certainly" modifies clause "they will be invited."

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