Noun Modifiers for intermediate learners

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!

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What Are Noun Modifiers?

Noun modifiers are nouns that are used to describe other nouns. In other words, they act as an adjective for a head noun.

When Can We Use Noun Modifiers?

Noun modifiers are used to show things like the function, material, age, length, or part of something in a noun phrase. Check out a few examples:

We waited at the bus stop.

They used a silver fork.

Using Noun Modifiers to Show Function

We can use noun modifiers in noun phrases to show the function of the head noun. Here are the examples:

I wore my tennis shoes.

We entered the music store.

Using Noun Modifiers to Show Material

We can use noun modifiers in noun phrases to show what something is made of. Here are the examples:

I wore my silk scarf.

She used gold cups for the queen.

Using Noun Modifiers to Show Age and Length

We can use noun modifiers in noun phrases to talk about age or length of the head noun.
There is usually a hyphen between the parts of the noun modifier, in this structure. Here are the examples:

I couldn't take care of a seven-year-old boy.

I went on a five-day trip.

Using Noun Modifiers to Show Belonging

We can use noun modifiers in noun phrases to show that something belongs or is a part of something else. Here are the examples:

We slept on the bedroom floor.

I put the watch in my coat pocket.

Review

Noun modifiers are used to show the following characteristics of a noun at the same time.

material
function
age and length
part of something

Comments

What Are Noun Modifiers?
When Can We Use Noun Modifiers?
Using Noun Modifiers to Show Function
Using Noun Modifiers to Show Material
Using Noun Modifiers to Show Age and Length
Using Noun Modifiers to Show Belonging
Review

Collective Nouns

If we want to represent certain individual nouns as one entity we can make use of collective nouns. In this lesson, you'll learn about their structure and uses.

Possessive Nouns

Possessive structures have many functions like showing ownership or belonging. With the help of apostrophe 's', we can make a possessive noun. Let's start!

Abstract and Concrete Nouns

Based on what we can or cannot perceive with our five senses, we can categorize nouns into two groups: abstract and common nouns. Start learning!

Verbal Nouns

Sometimes we can change a verb and make it into a noun. One of the most common ways of doing this is adding the suffix -ing. Let's see what verbal nouns are!

Gerund Phrases

Grund phrases are phrases that have 'gerunds,' 'its object,' and any 'modifiers' or 'complements.' In this lesson, we will learn all about them.

Gender-Specific Nouns

Legends say that the famous Dracula was not a Count, but actually was a Countess! Shocking? Here we will look at gender-specific nouns like Count/Countess!

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