Modifiers- Types with Examples & Exercise
What Are Modifiers?
Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that give extra details about a word in a sentence. They make writing more interesting and clear.
Examples:
Without a modifier: I read a book.
With a modifier: I read an exciting mystery book.
Here, "exciting mystery" tells us more about the book.
Types of Modifiers
1. Adjective Modifiers
Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns. They describe qualities like size, color, or number.
Examples:
The large elephant walked slowly.
She wore a red dress to the party.
The three kittens played in the garden.
He found a broken watch on the ground.
The delicious cake was gone in minutes.
2. Adverb Modifiers
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They tell how, when, where, or to what extent something happens.
Examples:
He ran quickly to catch the bus.
She sang very beautifully.
The train arrived late at night.
They spoke softly to avoid waking the baby.
He finished his homework extremely fast.
3. Phrase Modifiers
A group of words working together as a modifier.
Examples:
The girl with blue eyes smiled at me. (Prepositional phrase modifying "girl")
Running late, he skipped breakfast. (Participial phrase modifying "he")
The book on the table is mine. (Prepositional phrase modifying "book")
Excited about the trip, she packed her bags. (Participial phrase modifying "she")
Without hesitation, he accepted the job. (Prepositional phrase modifying "he")
4. Clause Modifiers
A dependent clause that functions as a modifier.
Examples:
The book that she borrowed was interesting.
The player who scored the goal won the match.
The man who lives next door is a doctor.
The story that she told was fascinating.
The teacher who loves reading recommended a great novel.
Common Modifier Mistakes
1. Misplaced Modifiers
A misplaced modifier is too far from the word it modifies, making the sentence unclear.
Incorrect:
The teacher gave homework to the students in a hurry. (Who was in a hurry?)
Correct:
The teacher in a hurry gave homework to the students.
2. Dangling Modifiers
A dangling modifier does not clearly modify any word in the sentence.
Incorrect:
Walking to school, the bus left without me. (Who was walking?)
Correct:
While I was walking to school, the bus left without me.
3. Squinting Modifiers
A squinting modifier is placed between two words, making it unclear which one it describes.
Incorrect:
Students who work hard often succeed. (Does "often" modify "work" or "succeed"?)
Correct:
Students who often work hard succeed.
Students who work hard often succeed.
Practice Exercise
Fix the modifier mistakes in these sentences:
She wore a hat on her head that was too big.
The teacher served snacks to the children wrapped in foil.
The waiter brought food to the guests on silver trays.
Because he was late, the teacher gave Jake detention.
The mysterious woman walked towards the car holding an umbrella.
Answers:
She wore a hat that was too big on her head.
The teacher served snacks wrapped in foil to the children.
The waiter brought food on silver trays to the guests.
The teacher gave Jake detention because he was late.
Holding an umbrella, the mysterious woman walked towards the car.
Additional Exercises
Adjective Modifiers
The dog with a thick coat barked loudly.
She bought a dress with sparkling sequins.
The delicious meal was served hot.
The tall man helped the little girl.
The old wooden bridge creaked underfoot.
Answers:
The thick-coated dog barked loudly.
She bought a sparkling sequined dress.
The meal was served delicious and hot.
The tall man helped the little girl.
The old wooden bridge creaked underfoot.
Adverb Modifiers
She danced on the stage gracefully.
He spoke too softly to be heard.
The train arrived at the station early.
He worked very diligently on the project.
She completed the test surprisingly fast.
Answers:
6. She danced gracefully on the stage.
7. He spoke too softly to be heard.
8. The train arrived early at the station.
9. He worked diligently on the project.
10. She completed the test fast and surprisingly well.
Phrase Modifiers
The man standing near the door is my uncle.
We saw a house with a red roof.
The car parked outside belongs to my neighbor.
The flowers in the vase are fresh.
The cat sleeping on the sofa woke up.
Answers:
11. The man near the door is my uncle.
12. We saw a red-roofed house.
13. The parked car outside belongs to my neighbour.
14. The fresh flowers are in the vase.
15. The sofa-sleeping cat woke up.
Clause Modifiers
The boy who won the race is my friend.
The book that she gave me is interesting.
The cake that I baked was delicious.
The woman who teaches math is kind.
The car that was stolen has been found.
Answers:
16. The race-winning boy is my friend.
17. The book she gave me is interesting.
18. The baked cake was delicious.
19. The math teacher is kind.
20. The stolen car has been found.
Exercise Questions
1. She wore a bicycle helmet on her head that was too large.
2. Tyler almost found fifty cents under the sofa cushions.
3. The teacher served cookies to the children wrapped in aluminium foil.
4. The mysterious woman walked toward the car holding an umbrella.
5. The suspects were interviewed right after the crime was committed by the detectives.
6. The waiter served food to the guests on silver platters.
7. Because he was late, the teacher gave John a detention.
8. Dressed in a colorful costume, the children applauded the clown.
9. The patient was referred to the physician with stomach pains.
10. The meat was eaten on the barbeque by the dog
Solution
She wore a bicycle helmet that was too large on her head.
Tyler found almost fifty cents under the sofa cushions.
The teacher served cookies wrapped in aluminum foil to the children.
Holding an umbrella, the mysterious woman walked toward the car.
The detectives interviewed the suspects right after the crime was committed.
The waiter served food on silver platters to the guests.
Because John was late, the teacher gave him a detention.
Dressed in a colorful costume, the clown received applause from the children.
The patient with stomach pains was referred to the physician.
The dog ate the meat that was on the barbecue.
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