modifier

/ˈmɒdɪfaɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːdɪfaɪər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmä-də-ˌfī(-ə)r/ (ame, mw)

1.名詞B2

釋義

a grammar word or expression that adds detail to another word or makes its meaning more exact.

例句

Ramón circled 'very' because it is a modifier of 'cold'.

adverb modifier before an adjective

Élise used 'in the library' as a modifier of 'students'.

phrase modifier after a noun

同義詞

qualifier
another grammar term, often used for information that narrows meaning rather than every kind of added detail
descriptor
broader and less technical; it can describe the function without being a formal grammar label

Usually placed close to the word it changes. In grammar lessons, the label can cover a single word, a phrase, or sometimes a whole clause.

❌Blue is the noun in "blue car".

✅Blue is a modifier in "blue car".

💡here 'blue' adds information about the noun instead of naming the thing itself.

❌Very is a modifier of the whole sentence in "very tired".

✅Very is a modifier of "tired" in "very tired".

💡it strengthens the adjective, not the whole statement.

2.名詞C2

釋義

a gene that changes how strongly another gene shows its effect.

例句

Nkechi explained that the modifier made the coat-color gene weaker.

modifier gene changing another gene's effect

Tara found a modifier near the gene for seed size.

Used mainly in genetics. The modifier does not produce the main trait by itself; it changes how another gene is expressed.

❌The modifier gene created the trait with no help from other genes.

✅The modifier gene changed how strongly another gene showed the trait.

💡a modifier gene affects another gene's result instead of acting alone.

modifier — noun