Nouns Pre-Modifiers

What if a single noun isn't specific enough for our purposes? How then do we modify a noun to construct a specific reference? NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

NOUNS Pre -Modifiers HOUSE OLD HOUSE MAN LARGE MAN

Modification is a somewhat technical term in linguistics Modification is a somewhat technical term in linguistics. It does not mean to change something, as when we "modify" a car or dress. To modify means to limit, restrict, characterize, or otherwise focus meaning. We use this meaning throughout the discussion here. NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

Modifiers before the noun are called pre-modifiers Modifiers before the noun are called pre-modifiers. All of the pre-modifiers and the noun together form a noun phrase . NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

The most common pre-modifiers are adjectives, such as red , long , hot The most common pre-modifiers are adjectives, such as red , long , hot . Other types of words often play this same role. Not only articles - the water but also verbs - running water and possessive pronouns - her thoughts NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

Pre-modifiers limit the reference in a wide variety of ways Pre-modifiers limit the reference in a wide variety of ways. Order: second, last Location: kitchen, westerly Source or Origin: Canadian Color: red, dark Smell: acrid, scented Material: metal, oak Size: large, 5-inch Weight: heavy Luster: shiny, dull NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

Each construction would function as a single unit within a sentence. The noun phrase is the most common unit in English sentences. NOUNS Pre -Modifiers

See how much you can expand a pre-modifier in a noun phrase: the book the history book the American history book the illustrated American history book the recent illustrated American history book the recent controversial illustrated American history book the recent controversial illustrated leather bound American history book