What is a modifier?

Definition
	A modifier is a constituent, in an endocentric construction, that imparts information relating to the head of the construction.

Examples (English)
	In the endocentric construction the very hot soup, the constituents the and very hot are modifiers of soup, the head of the construction.

Concept module: modifier
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): M
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004