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ROSA FORT HIGH AFJROTC
GRAMMAR PROGRAMMED TEXT
Lesson 6:
Modifiers
INTRODUCTION
You can maximize your learning from this programmed text by following a few simple steps.
First, take a quick scan over the layout of the document. You’ll notice that this lesson is divided
into individual sections starting with a Reading Assignment, followed by a few Review
Questions, and concluded with Answers to Review Questions in the back. Once you are
familiar with the layout, complete the reading assignment and then answer the corresponding
questions (using pen or pencil) to the best of your ability (choose the correct response, complete
the sentence, fill in the blank, etc.). Check your work after answering all the questions. If you
find that you’ve made a mistake, make the appropriate correction and try to determine the reason
for your error before continuing with the lesson. If you do not understand the basis for the
correct response to a particular question, consult your flight instructor during normal duty hours.
Once complete, turn in this programmed text to your flight instructor to certify completion.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Modifiers
A normal sentence consists of a subject, a verb and, in most cases, an object. Whereas the
interest level of the sentence is ordinarily dependent upon the topic and quality of the writer’s
flair, the readability of any sentence may also be enhanced by the introduction of coloring words
called modifiers. Modifiers are words or groups of words that either add to or limit another
word’s meaning. They will usually provide an answer to the questions commonly referred to as
the “six Ws”: -- Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?. In addition, modifiers can clarify
additional frequently asked questions such as – What kind? How many? To what extent? and
Under what conditions?
There are two main classes of modifiers: adjectives and adverbs.

An adjective is a word used to modify nouns or pronouns. Let’s see how adding one or more
adjectives can modify the following simple sentence:
The girl sings. (simple sentence)
The little girl sings. (the adjective little modifies the noun girl)
The pretty little girl sings. (the adjective pretty also modifies the noun girl)

An adverb is a word used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Let’s see how
adding one or more adverbs can continue the modification process of the same sentence:
The pretty little girl sings beautifully. (the adverb beautifully modifies the verb sings)
The incredibly pretty little girl sings very beautifully. (the adverb incredibly modifies the
adjective pretty; the adverb very modifies the adverb beautifully)
Nouns themselves, certain forms of verbs, and prepositional phrases may also act as modifiers.

A noun may modify another noun. In the following examples, the first noun (italicized)
modifies a second noun: stage play, Christmas dinner and fire drill.

A verb modifying a noun falls into one of two categories: verbals and verbal phrases.

There are three forms of verbals: participles, gerunds and infinitives. Two of these,
participles and infinitives, may serve as modifiers.

Every verb has two participle forms, the present and the past. Both function as
adjectives, modifying nouns and pronouns. The present participle consists of the
plain form of the verb combined with the ending “ing”, such as in breaking news.
(Gerunds also end in “ing”, but differ in function from a participle, serving only as
noun subjects or noun objects.) Let’s see how the word skiing can be used as a
gerund (subject noun or object noun) or as a modifier (present participle).
Skiing is fun. (Gerund; subject noun)
Jim enjoys skiing. (Gerund; object noun)
Colorado is known as skiing country. (Present participle)

For the majority of verbs, the past participle consists of the plain form of the verb
followed by the ending “d”, “ed”, or “en”, such as in relieved travelers, rented
apartments or shaken martinis.

The infinitive is the plain form of the verb preceded by the word “to”, which is
referred to in this case as an infinitive marker. Infinitives may function as adjectives,
nouns or adverbs. The following examples should help to show how infinitives can
modify different types of words:
The puzzle to solve is both ancient and challenging.
(The infinitive to solve serves as an adjective modifying puzzle.)
The solution for poor grades is to study.
(The infinitive to study serves as a noun referring back to the subject solution.)
Smokers often find it difficult to quit.
(The infinitive to quit serves as an adverb modifying the adjective difficult.)

Verbal phrases comprise the verbal and all the words directly relating to it. Participle
phrases will always serve as adjectives, modifying nouns and pronouns. Check out the
below uses of participle phrases (italicized):
Tossing three-pointers, the shooting guards determine the outcome of the game.
(The present participle modifies the noun guards.)
The candidates made their choices predicated upon available information.
(The past participle modifies the noun choices.)

Infinitive phrases may serve as nouns, adverbs, or adjectives. See if you can identify
what the infinitive phrases (italicized) in the following examples modify:
To have a friend is to be one.
(to be one is the (noun) infinitive phrase modifying the subject phrase To have a
friend.)
Needles are sterilized to protect all patients.
(to protect all patients is the (adverb) infinitive phrase modifying the verb sterilized.)
User-friendly computers provide a capability to surf the net.
(to surf the net is the (adjective) infinitive phrase modifying the noun capability.)

Prepositional phrases function as either adjectives to modify nouns or pronouns, or as
adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. Prepositional phrases usually begin
with a preposition and end with an object, which is usually a noun or pronoun.
A hitch in the military provided an opportunity for growth.
She served in the infantry by choice.
The first two prepositional phrases above function as adjectives (in the military modifies the
noun hitch and for growth modifies the noun opportunity). The prepositional phrase in the
second sentence functions as an adverb (by choice modifies the verb served).

An absolute phrase consists of a noun (or a pronoun) and a participle (past or present). It
will combine with an independent clause to modify the rest of the sentence. While an
absolute phrase may bear a striking similarity to a participle phrase, there is a major
difference—the absolute phrase will always contain a subject. Look at the following
example:
A promising job market beckoning, the graduates ventured comfortably forth.
Notice the absolute phrase (italicized) contains a subject (job market) and a present participle
(beckoning). The absolute phrase modifies the entire sentence; that is, it adds valuable
information to the sentence.

A subordinate clause consists of a complete subject, a complete predicate and a
subordinating word (either a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun). Subordinate
clauses often serve as modifiers. Subordinating words such as although, whoever, which, as,
because and until (just to name a few) will make the clause function as a noun, an adjective
or an adverb. Because it modifies something, a subordinate clause cannot stand alone in a
sentence, and is, therefore, also referred to as a dependent clause. Let’s look at how a few
subordinate clauses (italicized) are used in the sentences below:
Whoever needed additional assistance was assigned a personal tutor.
(Subordinate clause functioning as a noun.)
The city library, which is open around the clock, is a huge hit with the college students.
(Subordinate clause functioning as an adjective.)
Because it was intended for low-income families, the market offered reduced prices.
(Subordinate clause functioning as an adverb.)
Occasionally, however, a sentence can become fuzzy or unclear due to a faulty arrangement of
its word components. This usually indicates that a modifier is misplaced. Modifiers in need of
clarification fall into one of two main categories: dangling and ambiguous.
 A dangling modifier will usually improperly modify something (i.e. show an illogical
relationship between the modifier and the word being modified). To ensure the modifier
logically modifies the proper word, we can usually correct this problem by placing the
modifier next to the word it modifies. Let’s look at two problem sentences and their
accompanying remedies. The modifiers are italicized:
Moving rapidly through the thick jungle undergrowth, the waterfall was soon observed
by the explorers. (Obviously, a waterfall doesn’t move through jungle undergrowth).
Returning his tool bag at the end of a long day, a few drinks at the club seemed like a
great way to relieve stress. (Do “a few drinks” return a tool bag? Or do they “seem”?)
Making only a slight change will often make the sentence much clearer. The Tongue and
Quill suggests using one of the three following methods to repair sentences with dangling
modifiers:
Method #1: Place the dangling modifier next to the word it modifies.
Method #2: Change the subject of the sentence so the dangling modifier is followed
immediately by the word it logically modifies.
Method #3: Change the dangling phrase to another construction.
Let’s use these methods to repair the two above sentences:
Moving rapidly through the thick jungle undergrowth, the explorers soon observed the
waterfall.
(Method #1: The subject “explorers” was placed immediately after the modifier.)
After SSgt Lewis returned his tool bag at the end of a long day, he considered having a
few drinks at the club to relieve some stress.
(Method #2: Defined the subject of the sentence as SSgt Lewis.)
(Method #3: Changed the construction of the phrase.)

An ambiguous modifier appears to modify two different parts of a sentence. A reader is left
guessing whether the modifier applies to the words immediately preceding or immediately
following it. The intended meaning may be misinterpreted.
Let’s look at the following problem sentence and two possible remedies. The ambiguous
modifier is italicized:
Ambiguous: Athletes who work out constantly can avoid injuries.
(Where does constantly belong? Constantly working out? Or constantly avoid injuries?)
Remedy #1: Athletes who constantly work out can avoid injuries.
(Constantly modifies work out.)
Remedy #2: Athletes who work out can constantly avoid injuries.
(Constantly modifies avoid.)
The best solution to the ambiguous modifier problem is to place the word as close as possible to
the word it is modifying so that their relationship cannot be misinterpreted.
This concludes the reading assignment portion of the PT on modifiers. Now that you’ve had an
opportunity to review modifiers along with their various forms and uses, it’s time for you to take
it to the next level! The following series of questions will reveal whether you have achieved the
desired level of expertise with modifiers or if you need further study in this area. As explained
in the introduction, the correct answer and rationale for each question is located at the back for
your ready reference. Consult the answer bank only after you have completed all questions. If
you miss a question, read the provided rationale and go back over the corresponding section of
the reading assignment if necessary. Do your best to thoroughly understand this material. If
anything is not clear to you, ask your instructor for assistance. Good luck!
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Circle the word or words that modify the italicized words in each sentence.
1.
The narrator told the story colorfully.
2.
He has an even larger pair of skis.
3.
The small neighborhood delicatessen catered the large wedding.
4.
The photos are glossy, but their color is too light.
5.
Tim’s red suede shoes were a hit at the 50’s revival dance.
In each of the sentences below, circle the word that is modified by the italicized phrase.
6.
Private Smith always places a glass of water on his nightstand before lights out.
7.
A watch was discovered in the middle of the ice-encrusted mountain.
8.
For sixteen hours straight, Eva worked diligently on her final project.
9.
Tomorrow afternoon, Captain Jones will place the flag at the top of the mountain.
10. To everyone’s surprise, Lee paid for everyone’s meal with rolls of uncirculated buffalo nickels.
Rewrite each of the sentences below to ensure they are grammatically correct.
11. Paddling furiously to combat the rapids, the canoe was maneuvered expertly by the seasoned crew.
12. People who gamble occasionally may find success.
13. To be successful in life, patience and hard work are necessary.
14. Wabash Cavern was located in 1841, which was named after its discoverer, Sam Wabash.
15. When vicious, veterinarians have discovered that dogs are most likely to be roaming in packs.
ANSWERS TO REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.
colorfully
2.
an even larger
3.
The small neighborhood
4.
too
5.
Tim’s red suede
6.
glass
7.
middle
8.
worked
9.
places
10. paid
11. Paddling furiously to combat the rapids, the seasoned crew expertly maneuvered the canoe.
12. People who occasionally gamble may find success. OR People who gamble may
occasionally find success.
13. To be successful in life, one must have patience and work hard. (Patience and hard work
cannot be successful in life).
14. Wabash Cavern, which was located in 1841, was named after its founder, Sam Wabash.
(The cavern and not the year was named after Sam Wabash).
15. Veterinarians have discovered that dogs are most likely to be vicious when roaming in
packs. (It is the dogs and not the veterinarians who are vicious).