Identifying Modifiers

A modifier is any word, clause, or phrase that describes another word, clause, or phrase and makes its meaning more specific.

Example sentence:

Last week, Gary bought a green apple.

• In this sentence, "green" is a modifier that tells us which apple.

Modifiers are easiest to understand if they are next to the words they modify.

Example sentences:

Marisa, whom I care about very much, missed dance rehearsal last night.

• In this sentence, the modifier "whom I care about very much" describes "Marisa."

Lying in Claire’s yard, the puppy needed a rest after a long game of fetch.

• In this sentence, the modifier "Lying in Claire’s yard" describes "the puppy."

Maxwell took a huge bite of the pizza on the plate.

• In this sentence, the modifier "on the plate" describes "the pizza."