Modifiers Flashcards
What is a noun modifier?
Modify only a noun (incl. pronouns)
What is an adverbial modifier?
Modify almost anything else [except nouns and pronouns]: verbs, adjectives, prepositional phrases, even entire clauses
What are the adjectives that have been observed alternating with their corresponding adverbs in released GMAT OG problems?
Corresponding, frequent, independent, rare, recent, seeming, separate, significant, supposed, usual
What is the difference in how nonessential mods vs essential mods are separated out from the rest of the sentence?
Nonessential: by commas
Essential: not separated by commas
What does a “comma which” marker signal?
A nonessential noun mod
What does it signify when the word “that” is used to introduce a noun modifier and never set off by a comma?
An essential noun mod
How do you determine if -ing and -ed mods are noun or adverbial?
Noun: not set off from the rest of the sentence by commas
Adverbial: set off from the rest of the sentence by commas
What does a “comma prep phase,” “comma -ing,” or “a comma -ed” indicate?
Both an adverbial modifier and nonessential mod
What does it indicate when a modifier is not split out by a comma?
A noun mod that is often essential but can sometimes be nonessential (use your judgement to determine)
What are the roles “comma which” mods and “comma -ing” mods serve in a sentences?
“Comma which” = modifies nouns
“Comma -ing” = modifies actions
What is the rule for noun mods?
Place a noun and its mod as close together as the sentence allows
What is the most common exception that occurs when a noun and its mod can’t be place right next to each other?
When you have two modifiers that describe the same noun. Essential mod takes precedence over nonessential mod
How are noun mods often introduced?
By Relative Pronouns: which, that, who, whose, whom
When does the word “that” signal a noun mod and when does it not?
Noun mod: when the word “that” is followed immediately by a noun
Not noun mod: when the word “that” is followed immediately by a verb —> more complex sentence structure of S-V-THAT-S-V
How can you test if preposition-which or preposition-whom is correct?
Invert the text to create a complete sentence
Noun and verb inside prep phrase become the S and V of the sentence; use the prep and finish up with the noun that started the original phase
Original: the CANAL through which water flows
Inverted: Water flows through the canal
What can “where” not modify? And what should be used instead?
A metaphorical place (condition, situation, case, circumstance, arrangement)
Use “in which” in these instances
What do adverb mods answer in a sentence?
They answer “how, where, where, why, or how much” question about some other information in a sentence
If prep phases that explain “how, when, where, or why” an action occurred or that answer a “how much” question, then what type of mod are they?
Adverbial mods
What type of mod is it when a -ing mod is not set off by a comma? And when it is?
Set off by a comma = noun mod
Not set off by a comma = adverbial mod
What are common subordinate markers?
After, although, because, before, if, since, so that, that, unless, until, when, while
What are countable vs uncountable mods?
Many vs. Much
Few vs. Little
Fewer vs. Less
Fewest vs. Least
Number vs. Amount
Numerous vs. Great
What are countable and uncountable mods?
More
Most
Enough
All
What do you use to make a comparison using the word numbers?
Greater than
What’s the difference between increase/decrease vs. greater/less
Increase/decrease = change of one thing over time
Greater/less = comparison between two things
