modify

  • ‘Modify’ means ‘change’ some other parts of a sentence.
  • This change can enhance, make something clearer, or more limited.
  • It can help emphasize, explain or describe by giving more detail to other words.
  • Modifiers can be words, phrases or clauses.
  • Adjectives and adverbs are modifiers.

particularizers

ADVERBS, B2, degree, FOCUS, modify

Particularizers are a category of adverbs that focus attention on what follows them, without excluding other possibilities. They are used to modify verbs and adjectives and can be found at different levels of English Vocabulary Profile such as A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
The TED corpus has some examples of particularizers used in natural chunks. For example, “especially when it comes” is a 4-gram chunk that is at least C1 level. “Largely due to” is another 3-gram chunk that is at least C1 level. “Mainly because” is a 2-gram chunk that is at least B2 level.

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ALL + preposition + noun phrase

A2, ADVERBS, DETERMINERS, emphasis, intensity, modify, NOUNS, phrases, PREPOSITIONS

At A2 level in the Oxford learner’s dictionary, ‘All’ as an adverb can mean ‘completely’.
Adverbs pre-modifying prepositions are found at A2, B1, and C1 levels in the English Grammar Profile.
The iWeb corpus was searched for ALL + prepositional phrases using the pattern _DB _II _A _NN. However, not every result represents ‘all’ as an adverb.
Some of the most common phrases include ‘All around the world’, ‘All across the country’, and ‘All along the way’, among others.
Each phrase is used in a unique context. For example, ‘All around the world’ is often used when referring to a global phenomenon or distribution, as in “Television rights have been sold all around the world”. Similarly, ‘All along the way’ can be used to indicate a consistent pattern or presence across a process or journey, as in “Black girls are overrepresented all along the way”.

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almost identical

ACL, ADJECTIVES, ADVERBS, C1, degree, modify

‘almost identical‘ is an expert example of a C1 range of grammar and vocabulary which is also academic collocation. Indeed, as you know, the new will is almost identical to the old but for the disposition of a few items. This draft is almost identical to what was released. listen When we look for these words with more words between them it isn’t the same modification: You‘re almost definitely not going to find two identical snowflakes.

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determiner + noun phrase (increasing range)

A2, DETERMINERS, modify, NOUNS, phrases, range, uncountable

Here’s a student example of a determiner + uncountable noun: My teacher told me “enjoy the music and you will dance naturally.” PELIC Taiwanese female level 3 writing class A2 point 18 in the category of  NOUNS is defined: form simple noun phrases by pre-modifying nouns with an increasing range of determiners. A2 point 24 in the category of NOUNS: form

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WHICH relative subject pronoun

A2, B2, CLAUSES, defining, modify, non-defining, NOUNS, phrases, post-modify, relative, subject

A comprehensive overview of how the relative pronoun “which” is used in English grammar.

The examples clearly illustrate the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses. In defining relative clauses, “which” provides essential information about the noun, as in “The book which lies on the table is mine.” In non-defining relative clauses, “which” provides additional information that doesn’t change the basic meaning of the noun, as in “I visited Paris, which is known for its beautiful architecture.”

The examples from the iWeb search also demonstrate how “which” can be used to connect discourse and introduce a clause that explains a result, inference, or consequence of a situation or fact. For instance, “Our team has won every match this season, which brings us to the top of the league.”

The AI-generated sentences using the corpus data are also very helpful in understanding how “which” can be used in various contexts. For example, “We’ve developed a system which allows users to easily track their progress.”

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actually | unfortunately | of course | I’m sorry

A2, ADVERBS, attitude, modify, regret, stance, view

Stance adverb phrases express the speaker’s attitude towards a statement. It covers four examples: “actually” (used to emphasize truth), “unfortunately” (expresses regret or bad news), “of course” (emphasizes that something is expected or well-known), and “I’m sorry” (expresses regret or softens an unpleasant statement).

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time and sequencing adverbs

A2, adjuncts, ADVERBS, CLAUSES, DISCOURSE MARKERS, modify, order, organising, phrases, sequence, time

The adverb ‘now’ plays a crucial role in indicating the timing of events. It signifies the present moment and its immediate relevance. For instance, in the sentence “A boss like that? Now I am green with envy,” ‘now’ emphasizes the current experience of envy. Time and sequencing adverbs, such as ‘first,’ ‘then,’ and ‘after that,’ are essential in arranging discourse segments. They establish temporal relationships between clauses and sentences. These adverbs aid in sequencing events and maintaining a cohesive flow. Understanding the proper usage and positioning of time and sequencing adverbs is vital for effective communication and conveying the temporal aspect of experiences.

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determiner + adjective + ONES

ADJECTIVES, B1, DETERMINERS, modify, PRONOUNS, substitution

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 40 in the category of PRONOUNS/substitution is defined as: determiners + premodifers + ‘ones’ EXPERT EXAMPLE: These are the more common ones around today. TED PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE: (referring to outdoor activities) I think Bodrum has the best ones. Turkish, Male, Level 3, Writing Class. A search in iWeb for: _A _J ones 1 THE ONLY ONES 45418 A2 limiting

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the ones

B1, complements, modify, PRONOUNS, specify, substitution

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 59 in the category of PRONOUNS/substitution is defined as: POSTMODIFYING, SPECIFYING: ‘the ones’ with a complement, to refer to something specific. the_AT ones _P 1 THE ONES WHO 62764 We are the ones who will inherit this earth. listen 2 THE ONES I 34421 3 THE ONES YOU 33077 4 THE ONES WE 15126 5

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Firstly | Secondly | Finally | Actually ,

ADVERBS, B1, DISCOURSE MARKERS, modify, organising

In this post, we explore some common connecting words, also known as linking or transition words.  In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 49 in ADVERBs/as modifiers is defined as: adverbs as discourse markers to organise text. (position) For example: Finally, I just take a rest. PELIC STUDENT: Arabic, Male, level 3, writing class Although the title of this post lists only

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far away | downstairs | nearby | upstairs

ADVERBS, B1, modify, phrases, places

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 48 in ADVERBS/as modifiers is defined as: an increasing range of adverbs and adverb phrases (‘near’, ‘far away’, ‘upstairs’, ‘downstairs’) to indicate place An iWeb search for: _VV far away 1 STAY FAR AWAY 1252 I suggest you stay far away from me. (covered by B2 grammar when followed by a prepositional phrase)   You want some free advice about this one? Stay far

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too | very | so + many | few

C1, intensity, modify, PRONOUNS, quantity

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 102 in PRONOUNS/quantity is defined: MODIFIED: ‘few’ and ‘many’ with ‘very’, ‘too’, ‘so’ as intensifiers For example: If the chef answered YES to the number being less than 500, we‘d have four options, which is too many. TED It‘s been a crushing disappointment for me and for so many. TED And very few have it in them. LISTEN *’very few’ + noun is B2 A search in iWeb for: * * too|very|so many|few . 1 THERE ARE SO MANY.

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adverb + adjective (emphasis)

ADJECTIVES, ADVERBS, C1, emphasis, MODALITY, modify, phrases

An adjective phrase can consist of an adverb + adjective.  In the following examples: ‘obvious‘ and ‘unlikely‘ are the head of the adjective phrases. Needless to say, Ares’ negotiating position was hugely strengthened when it became painfully obvious to everyone  that the giant US asset manager was the only bidder that had bothered to turn up at the auction. traveller.com.au   Therefore, all 42 Sinn Fein candidates would likely have to be elected to the 160-seat chamber  to give it a shot at emerging as the largest party, an outcome which remains highly unlikely. express.co.uk   The adverbs ‘painfully’ and ‘highly’ are used here to emphasize. C1

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