What is a Modifier?
The modifier plays a role in elaborating on other phrases.
Examples of modifiers include "quickly (sleep)", "finally (finished)", and "can't see (with hands)".
This article explains the meaning of modifiers and tips for identifying them.
Definition and Meaning of Modifiers
A modifier is a phrase that elaborates on another phrase.
The modified phrase is the one that is elaborated on by the modifier.
Usually, a modifier is a single phrase, but a modifying part consisting of two or more phrases is called a modifying section.
About Phrases
A phrase is the smallest unit with meaning, and it is a natural point to separate sentences. The points to separate phrases are naturally dividing by inserting "Ne" and "Yo".
Detailed explanation about basic units of words and points is introduced in another article.
Examples of Modifiers
Below are example sentences using modifiers.
母は、乗っていた。
In this sentence, "母は(My mother)" is the subject, and "乗っていた(was riding)" is the predicate, but it is not clear what she was riding.
Sentence with a modifier:
母は/昨日/、/買ったばかりの/赤い車に/3時間ほど/乗っていた。
In this sentence with a modifier, it is clear that "My mother was riding a newly bought red car".
Each is modifying as follows:
- "Yesterday" modifies "was riding".
- "Just bought" modifies "a red car".
- "About 3 hours" modifies "was riding".
In other words, "was riding" and "yesterday" are in a modifier-modified relationship, and "was riding" can be said to be the modified phrase of "yesterday".
This relationship may feel a bit complicated, but if you remember that "modifying" means "elaborating", it will be easier to understand.
Types of Modifiers
There are two types of modifiers, adnominal modifiers, and adverbial modifiers.
(1) Adnominal Modifiers
Adnominal modifiers are modifiers that modify nouns.
緑のトカゲ。
"Green" is an adnominal modifier that modifies "lizard" (noun).
(2) Adverbial Modifiers
Adverbial modifiers are modifiers that modify verbs, adjectives, and adjectival nouns.
早く歩く。
"Quickly" is an adverbial modifier that modifies "walk" (verb).
5 Patterns of Modifier-Modified Relationships
Modifier-modified relationships can be broadly classified into five patterns. The modifier is always located before the modified phrase. In complex sentences, other phrases may intervene between the modifier and the modified phrase, so care is needed.
(1) "How much/What kind" relationship
非常に美しい
"Extremely" is the modifier, "beautiful" is the modified phrase.
(2) "Where from (to)/How" relationship
店から出る
"From the store" is the modifier, "leave" is the modified phrase.
(3) "What (to)/How" relationship
アイスクリームをこぼす
"Ice cream" is the modifier, "spill" is the modified phrase.
(4) "When (where)/How" relationship
明日訪問する
"Tomorrow" is the modifier, "visit" is the modified phrase.
(5) "What kind (of what)/What" relationship
よい流れだ
"Good" is the modifier, "flow" is the modified phrase.
How to Identify Modifiers
The key to identifying modifiers is the order in which you search for them.
First, find the predicate, then look for the subject. Once you find them, the phrases that elaborate on the subject and predicate are the modifiers.
In this way, searching in the order of predicate, subject, and modifier makes it easier to identify modifiers.
Practice Problems for Identifying Modifiers and Modified Phrases
Below are practice problems for identifying modifiers and modified phrases.
Example sentence: He went to eat delicious ramen for lunch.
- Find the modifiers.
- For each modifier, find the modified phrase.
Answer:
- The modifiers are "for lunch" and "delicious".
- "For lunch" modifies "went", "delicious" modifies "ramen".
By practicing identifying modifiers and modified phrases, you can correctly understand sentences.
Conclusion
Modifiers play a role in elaborating on other phrases and are important for deeply understanding the meaning of sentences.
There are two types of modifiers, adnominal and adverbial, which modify nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adjectival nouns, respectively.
Also, remember that there are five patterns of modifier-modified relationships.
Understanding the relationship between modifiers and modified phrases deepens your understanding of sentences.