Understanding Modifiers What are modifiers Adjectives and adverbs

Understanding Modifiers What are modifiers? Adjectives and adverbs Phrases Clauses Uses of modifiers Troublesome modifiers Bad/Badly Good/Well Review A Review B

What are modifiers? You’ve found a dog with no tags, so you call the animal shelter. I have found a dog. When did you findlike? What does you find it? Where did it look it? To help you find the owners, the shelter staff needs to know more about the dog.

What are modifiers? A modifier is a word or word group that makes the meaning of another word or word group more specific. Where did you find it? When did it look like? What does you find it? I found a large, brown dog near brown dog. the brown near the yesterday. library.

What are modifiers? Adjectives Some modifiers are one-word modifiers. An adjective is a word that makes the meaning of a noun or pronoun more specific. Noun They play in the park. Adjective They play inin the green park. They play the spacious park.

What are modifiers? Adjectives An adjective tells what kind, which one, or how many. smooth rocks What kind? mug Which one? cubes How many? this mug five cubes

What are modifiers? Adverbs An adverb is a word that makes the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb more specific. Verb The water flows. Adverb The water flows rapidly. gently.

What are modifiers? Adverbs An adverb is a word that makes the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb more specific. Adverb Adjective We have had an extremely hot summer. Adverb They entered the house rather quietly.

What are modifiers? Adverbs An adverb tells where, when, how, or to what extent (how much, how long, or how often). Verb The artist painted. Where? The artist painted here. When? The artist painted today. How? To what extent? The artist painted beautifully. The artist often painted.

What are modifiers? Adjective or adverb? Many adverbs end in –ly. She speaks clearly. It stopped suddenly. However, some modifiers ending in –ly are used as adjectives. the monthly budget a lively discussion And some adverbs do not end in –ly. He always works hard. We arrived early.

What are modifiers? Adjectives and adverbs On Your Own Identify the boldfaced modifier as an adjective (ADJ) or an adverb (ADV), and tell which word it modifies. ____ 1. The chipmunk disappeared quickly behind the rock. ____ 2. Ty ran a fast race but finished third. ____ 3. The wildflowers bloomed late this year. ____ 4. The bus came to an abrupt stop. ____ 5. That maze was quite complex. [End of Section]

What are modifiers? Phrases Some modifiers are word groups. For example, phrases can be used as adjectives or adverbs. • A prepositional phrase can be used as an adjective or an adverb. Prepositional phrase The day of our class field trip was memorable. Noun Prepositional phrase We rode the bus to the aquarium. Verb

What are modifiers? Phrases A participial phrase can be used as an adjective. Participial phrase Excited about the trip, the campers boarded the bus. Noun Participial phrase The man leading the hike made a wrong turn. Noun

What are modifiers? Phrases • An infinitive phrase can be used as an adverb or as an adjective. Infinitive phrase She traveled to Alaska to see the wildlife. Verb Infinitive phrase The person to carry the flag will be Keri. Noun

What are modifiers? Phrases On Your Own Tell whether the boldfaced phrase is used as an adjective (ADJ) or as an adverb (ADV). Also, identify the word or words the phrase modifies. ____ 1. With a grin, Henry shook the mayor’s hand. ____ 2. This time of the year is my favorite. ____ 3. To make the circle, I need a compass. ____ 4. Exhausted from the climb, the hikers took a rest. [End of Section]

What are modifiers? Clauses Like words and phrases, clauses can also be used as adjectives and adverbs. An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. Adjective clause Rick, who plays guard, scored nine points. Noun Adjective clause Look at the poster that I bought. Noun

What are modifiers? Clauses An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Usually, an adverb clause tells something about the action of the verb. I eat breakfast Verb When? as. I though I haven’t because enough if have it is my most before I take the time. eaten in meal. important shower. days. Why? Under what condition? How?

What are modifiers? Clauses On Your Own Tell whether the boldfaced clause is used as an adjective (ADJ) or as an adverb (ADV). Also, identify the word or words the clause modifies. ____ 1. Dad, who is an excellent cook, has made grilled chicken for dinner. ____ 2. As soon as I entered the room, I saw Lisa. ____ 3. My friend won a scholarship that will help pay for college. ____ 4. I read one chapter before I fell asleep. [End of Section]

Uses of modifiers Modifiers with linking verbs Use an adjective to modify the subject of a linking verb. Her heartbeat has become rapid. Linking verb The baby seems rather fussy today. Linking verb

Uses of modifiers Modifiers with action verbs Use an adverb to modify an action verb. Her heart was beating rapidly. Action verb The baby cried loudly when he woke up. Action verb

Uses of modifiers Some verbs may be used as linking verbs or as action verbs. Kim looked happy. Linking verb The adjective happy is used after the linking verb looked to modify the subject Kim looked happily at the cat. Action verb The adverb happily is used to modify the action verb looked.

Uses of modifiers On Your Own Most of the following sentences contain errors in the use of modifiers. If a sentence contains an error, correct it. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. The principal’s office smelled stuffily yesterday. 2. Dawn works out with weights regular. 3. With the proper care, these flowers will grow rapidly. 4. My sister dances beautiful and can sing too. [End of Section]

Troublesome modifiers Bad/Badly Bad is an adjective. The weather is bad today. Noun Tells what kind of weather Badly is an adverb. I hurt my arm badly. Verb Tells to what extent my arm was hurt

Troublesome modifiers Bad/Badly Make sure to use the adjective form, bad, after a sense verb such as feel, look, sound, taste, or smell, or other linking verb. Standard Nonstandard This leftover chicken smellsbadly. smells bad. Standard Nonstandard The engine soundsbadly to me. sounds bad to me.

Troublesome modifiers Good/Well Good is an adjective. Kevin is a good driver. Noun The soup smells good. Noun Do not use good to modify a verb. Instead, use the adverb well, which means “capably. ” Standard Nonstandard The track team did good at the meet. did well Verb

Troublesome modifiers Good/Well can also be used as an adjective meaning “healthy. ” Chris was sick yesterday, but she is well now. Pronoun

Troublesome modifiers Good/Well Notice that feel well and feel good mean different things: I feel good when I succeed. happy, pleased Rene left school because she didn’t feel well. healthy

Troublesome modifiers On Your Own Most of the following sentences contain errors in the use of modifiers. If a sentence contains an error, correct it. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. Our car drives bad ever since the accident. 2. Janine did good at the marathon. 3. I feel good about our chances in the tournament. 4. The burnt toast smelled badly. [End of Section]

Review A Tell whether the italicized modifier is used as an adjective (ADJ) or an adverb (ADV), and tell which word it modifies. ____ 1. After we ate, I offered to wash the dishes. ____ 2. The judge remained silent for a long time. ____ 3. The bus, which had a flat tire, was late. ____ 4. We walked to the hobby store together. ____ 5. Hiding behind the couch, the cat waited to pounce.

Review B If a sentence contains an error in the use of a modifier, correct it. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. Julio was smiling proud when he told us the story. 2. His model engine ran good at first. 3. Helena stayed home from school because she wasn’t feeling good. 4. Over time, the puppies grew bold. 5. He played the trumpet bad at first, but he soon improved. [End of Section]

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