Noun Modifiers

Noun modifiers are words or phrases that provide additional information about a noun, helping to describe, specify, or quantify it. We sometimes have two nouns together to demonstrate that one thing is a part of something else. In the following examples, the first noun is called a noun modifier.

Examples
  • Baltimore residents
  • The dog bowl
  • The chair leg
  • The shopping list
  • My gold watch

Noun modifiers can be used to show what something is made of.

  • a metal chair
  • a gold watch
  • a wood table

Noun modifiers can be used to demonstrate a measurement.

  • an hour drive
  • a thousand mile trip
  • a twenty pound bag

Noun modifiers can be used with nouns ending in –er.

  • a dress maker
  • a club manager
  • a factory worker

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