Grammar:
Basic Modifiers
How to Make Sentences More Interesting
The sentences we have looked at so far have been a bit boring. This is because we have not added many modifiers. Modifiers do exactly what the word means: modify, or change. They change or add to the meaning of something. Two basic modifiers are adjectives and adverbs.
Adjectives
Adjectives modify (or describe) nouns and pronouns. Adjectives usually explain “which one,” “how many,” or “what kind.”
Examples of adjectives: kind, tall, simple, rude, eight, a lot, his
Adverbs
Adverbs modify (or describe) verbs. They can also modify adjectives and other adverbs. Adverbs usually tell us “how,” “when,” “where,” “how often,” and “how long.”
Examples of adverbs: quickly, clearly, very, here, there, frequently, never, soon
In the examples below, the sentences have modifiers that change or add meaning to the sentence:
Baby (adj.) kittens are often (adv.) tired.
The tall (adj.) mountains look beautiful (adv.).
In these examples, the sentences do not have modifiers:
The kittens run.
He hikes.
Practice Problems
- Which sentences contain modifiers? Choose all that apply.
- He eats rice.
- They enjoy sweet foods.
- the dog is sleeping.
- I think Ben is nice.
- She runs daily.
- Mom never buys candy.
- In the following sentence, which word is an adjective?: My dog is loving.
- In the following sentence, which word is an adjective?: Please buy green apples.
- In the following sentence, which word is an adjective?: We are tired.
- In the following sentence, which word is an adjective?: Someone ate his lunch.
- In the following sentence, which word is an adverb?: She spoke kindly.
- In the following sentence, which word is an adverb?: The pilot expertly flew the plane.
- In the following sentence, which word is an adverb?: My kids were hungry.
- In the following sentence, which word is an adverb?: John never smiled.
- In the following sentence, which word is an adverb?: She spoke sweetly to us.