Verbal Ch 5 - Modifiers Flashcards
Modifier
word or clause that changes another word or expression
Adverbs
modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs
Prepositional phrase positioning
must always be as close as possible to the word it modifies. It can be in front of what it modifies as well
Dangling modifier
intro modifier without the noun. These are always incorrect
Possessive modification trap
A possessive noun can not follow a modifying phrase
Squinting modifiers
modifiers placed between 2 words or expressions it can modify. These can also be a phrase
Relative clauses
clauses that relate to other parts of a sentence and begin with relative pronouns
Ex/ that, which, who, whose, whom
Non-restrictive clause
a clause that can be removed from a sentence with the sentence still making sense. It is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Must be set off from the rest of the sentence by commas
“that” vs. “which”
relative pronouns that effect clauses. Never use “that” or “which” to refer to people
“that” - restrictive
“which” - non-restrictive
entities made up of people like teams and groups are considered things –> “that” and “which”
Restrictive clause
clause who’s meaning is essential to the sentence
Relative clause modify antecedents “remotely”
a relative clause may be separated from the noun it modifies by another modifier of that noun
Relative pronouns “who” and “whom”
used to refer to human antecedents
“who” vs “whom”
“who” - subject that performs the action in the clause
“whom” - the object that is acted upon
relative pronoun “whose”
can refer to people or things
appositive
noun, pronoun, noun phrase, or noun clause of a sentence that modifies or further describes another element of a sentence by renaming it
how to identify an appositive
replace the noun being modified in a sentence with its modifier to identify the appositive
abstract appositive
renames and modifies an abstract idea that has been presented in a sentence. These could produce stronger/more effective answers
participle
verb form that functions as a modifier. They can be 1) the agent of the action or 2) the receiver of the effect
Ex/ ruined, spoiled
uses of particle phrases
- used to restrictively modify nouns
- present participles at the beginning of a sentence are non-restrictive and treated as noun modifiers
- past participles at the end of sentences sometimes modify the preceding clause
absolute phrases
noun + its modifiers. modifies entire clause (absolutely everything). the info added can be descriptive or explanatory
