Real Grammar - Susan Conrad, Douglas Biber 2009

Adjectives and Nouns to Modify a Noun
Unit 40 Voter registration procedures

What have you learned from your grammar textbook?

When an adjective occurs before a noun, we say that it modifies the noun:

• beautiful flowers

• blue sky

• happy baby

A noun can also modify another noun, acting like an adjective:

• grammar book

• vegetable soup

• car shop

What does the corpus show?

A

In informational writing (newspaper and academic writing), many noun phrases include a modifier. Adjectives are extremely common. But surprisingly, nouns as modifiers are almost as common as adjectives.

B

The most common adjectives in writing express many different functions.

C

The most common nouns used as modifiers in writing express different kinds of functions from adjectives. They often refer to abstract entities that you cannot actually see (e.g., government, business, health, defense). Such entities are commonly discussed in writing, making these noun-noun sequences especially important.

Activities

1 Notice in context: Read these two paragraphs from informational writing. Circle all nouns and adjectives that modify nouns. Underline the noun that is being modified.

1. Newspaper writing: From an article describing the economy.

In December, energy prices plunged 1.4% after remaining steady the previous month. Further declines are probably ahead because of warm winter weather. Prices of gasoline and home heating oil both fell. Food prices also fell last month and during all of 1991.

2. Academic writing: From a text about primary school education.

In each of the National Curriculum foundation subjects, there are primary school teachers with specialized knowledge. Out of 160,000 teachers, some 20,000 have qualifications in science, and 16,000 in math, with 40,000 in English. However, they and others with specialized skills are officially given only 40 minutes a week away from their home classes to develop specialized teaching programs related to their skill area.

2 Analyze discourse: Look back at Activity 1 and at the modifiers you circled. First, label each modifier as either an adjective (A) or a noun (N). Then list the modifiers that describe the following:

a. Institutions: ...

b. Time: ...

List two more functions and provide examples:

c. (Other. ...): ...

d. (Other. ...): ...

3 Practice the structure: Complete the paragraphs with modifiers from Sections В and C. When a blank is followed by (N), fill it with a noun; when a blank is followed by (A), fill it with an adjective.

1. From a textbook about learning language.

You can practice listening both in and out of the classroom. Radio or ... (N) programs offer good opportunities to listen to language. In the classroom, when you hear ... (A) language, always listen several times before repeating. Participating in ... (N) activities with local residents will also help improve comprehension.

2. From an economic report about farming in Wales.

Tourism played a significant role in many farms with cottages, which were all being rented during the ... (N) period. Other ... (N) opportunities included growing grass for dairies and for sheep, which was the main source of income. However, dry seasons with very ... (A) rainfall presented a serious risk.

4 Practice writing: Read the newspaper advice column about Carol's problem. Then write your advice. Use at least three adjectives and two nouns that modify nouns. You can use the adjectives and nouns suggested in the box or others that you think of. Circle each adjective or noun modifier, and underline the noun that is being modified.

Carol just got married, and she is worried about the strict financial rules in her new relationship. What should she do?

Carol must pay half of the household bills every month, and her medical insurance and income taxes are her own responsibility. When she and her new husband take vacations together, she must pay for her own expenses. And, oh yes, Carol is expected to buy all her own clothes and pay for any gifts she purchases for family members. Carol’s friends are concerned about what she may be getting into with this new relationship. Carol asked for my opinion.

Example