Noun Modifiers
As you might guess, noun modifiers can modify nouns. What if there is a noun phrase after noun modifiers? If these questions are stuck in your mind, read more!
What Are Noun Modifiers?
Noun modifiers (also called noun adjuncts, attributive nouns, qualifying nouns, or apposite nouns) are optional nouns that are used as modifiers for another noun. Modifiers give specific information about their following noun.
Modifiers: Singular or Plural?
In nearly all cases, the noun that acts as the modifier is in the singular form. Take a look at some examples:
I love
I'll meet you outside the
Why Do We Use a Noun Modifier?
1. Noun modifiers are used attributively; that is, they are placed before the noun they describe in order to add extra meaning. By placing a noun functioning as an adjective before the noun, for example:
an
2. Using noun modifiers makes it easy to make compact phrases. Sometimes to make a short and more concise description for a noun, we can use noun modifiers. Check out some examples:
I want a kind of soup that has chicken in it. → I want
I'm looking for a piece of ground to park the cars. → I'm looking for a
Plural-Only Nouns as Modifiers
Some words are used in plural forms, such as pants, sleeves, glasses, trousers, etc. If these nouns are used as a modifier for another noun, they have to be used in the singular form. check out the examples:
I use
Her
Using the Noun 'Face' as a Noun Modifier
Tip!
When a noun modifier is combined with a number or number-related expression, the noun is singular and a hyphen should be used. We use measurements, age, or value as noun modifiers.
I sat down on the
Let's take a
At first it was a
What Are Noun Modifies Used for?
1. Indicating Parts of a Particular Noun
We often use noun modifiers to show that one thing is a part of something else or belongs to something else. Do not use possessive nouns in these cases.
the
the
the
the
Tip
Another way to show something is a part of a whole is to use the preposition of to make a noun phrase. However, this is not as frequent as noun modifiers. For example:
the car door = the door
2. Indicating What Things Are Made of
We can use noun modifiers to show what something is made of, or the origin or source of the following noun. Like:
a
a
a
a
an
Tip
Another way to show the material of something is using the preposition 'of.' For example:
paper table = table
3. Indicating What Things Are Used for
To indicate the function of a noun, you can use noun modifiers. In this case, the dependent shows the function, and the head is the noun that is being described. Check out the examples:
I'll buy new
Here, these 'shoes' are used to play 'tennis.'
I like to work in a
In this example, the 'store' is used to sell the 'books.'
Tip
Another way to show the function of something is using the preposition for. Take a look:
tennis shoes = shoes
Compound Noun Modifiers
Sometimes a compound noun modifies another noun and is used as the noun modifier for another noun.
Robert is a
What Is the Difference between Noun Adjuncts and Noun Modifiers?
Actually, noun adjuncts and noun modifiers, or even noun pre-modifiers all imply the same concept. All of them are nouns that are used before other nouns to qualify or describe them. Check out the examples:
Wear a
I have to fix the
Review
'Noun modifiers' are nouns that are used to qualify another noun, describe it, and make a shorter phrase. They are mostly used to describe:
- part of something
- material
- function
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