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.

almost identical

‘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.

VERY + adjective

In the English Grammar Profile, A1 point 13 in the category of ADVERBS / phrases: ‘very’ to modify common gradable adjectives. An iWeb search for: very _JJ .   1 VERY GOOD. 54946 He looks very good. PELIC STUDENT: Korean male level 3 writing class. 2 VERY IMPORTANT . 36690 3 VERY HELPFUL . 32475 4 VERY …

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JUST + preposition

Here are student examples of ‘just’ pre-modifying a prepositional phrase. I was a shy girl and sometimes I was just like a boy. TLC, speaking test, female China B1 Some successful people are well-known just in their country. PELIC, female Arabic level 4 writing class. In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 3 in the category of PREPOSITIONS is defined: ‘JUST’ + to modify prepositions. An iWeb search for: just_R _II 1 JUST LIKE …

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determiner + noun phrase (increasing range)

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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actually | unfortunately | of course | I’m sorry

Point 34 in ADVERBS/modifiers: STANCE: limited range (‘actually’, ‘unfortunately’, ‘of course’, ‘I’m sorry’) to indicate an attitude or viewpoint. ‘actually’ is A2 or higher in the English Vocabulary Profile regardless if it is ‘stance’ or not. ‘of course’ is A1 in the EVP if used to say ‘yes’ and emphasize your answer: Dictionary example: “Can …

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manner adverbs

In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 28 in the category of ADVERBS is defined as: limited range of manner adverbs and adverb phrases to modify how something happens. PELIC STUDENTS: The most important thing is to practise because with no practise, you will forget quickly. Arabic male level 3 writing class.   Yesterday I woke up early because I had a test. Arabic male level 2 writing class. *’early’ is more of a time …

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time and sequencing adverbs

‘now’ is an adverb that refers to the timing of an event.  For example: A boss like that? Now I am green with envy. listen There are a few overlapping points in the category of ADVERBS as modifiers at A2 in the English Grammar Profile. Point 25: SEQUENCING: a limited range of adverbs and adverb phrases (‘first’, ‘then’, ‘after that’) …

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determiner + adjective + ONES

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 2 YOUR …

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the ones

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 ,

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 4 examples that are found in the EGP examples, there are many more one could …

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far away | downstairs | nearby | upstairs

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

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)

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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absolutely | undoubtedly | undeniably

The adverb ‘undeniably‘ is used to emphasize that something cannot be denied or disputed.  It is listed at C2 in the English Vocabulary Profile with the meaning: in a way that is almost certainly true.  For example: That‘s undeniably true. Listen In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 64 in ADVERBS/modifiers is defined as: a wide range of …

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