2. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Definition of a modifier
•A modifier:
•comes before and modifies or describes a noun
•can be an adjective, adverb, or a clause, or phrase acting as an adjective or adverb
•adds information to another element in a sentence
•After a determiner and before a noun, usually no more than three modifiers are used
•Modifiers usually occur in a particular order
3. ORDER OF MODFIERS
The following table shows the typical order of modifiers used between a determiner and
a noun
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
4. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
Your second long work vacation.
5. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
Your second long work vacation.
6. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
Your second long work vacation.
7. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
Your second long work vacation.
8. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
Your second long work vacation.
9. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
Your second long work vacation.
10. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The long hot Japanese summer.
11. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The long hot Japanese summer.
12. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The long hot Japanese summer.
13. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The long hot Japanese summer.
14. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The long hot Japanese summer.
15. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The long hot Japanese summer.
16. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The old green table lamp
17. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The old green table lamp
18. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The old green table lamp
19. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The old green table lamp
20. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The old green table lamp
21. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Examples:
Order Modifier Examples
1 determiner the, your
2 ordinals first, second
3 cardinals one, two
4 opinion nice, easy
5 size small, large
6 measurement short, long
7 condition worn, tired
8 age old, new
9 temperature hot, cold
10 shape round, square
11 color/pattern green, striped
12 origin Japanese, American
13 season/time summer, noon
14 material metal, wooden
15 power electric, mechanical
16 location bedroom, table
17 purpose party, work
NOUN
The old green table lamp
23. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
24. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
The village church
(The church is part of the village)
25. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
The village church
(The church is part of the village)
Noun
26. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
The village church
(The church is part of the village)
Noun
Modifier
27. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
The village church
(The church is part of the village)
Noun
Modifier
The car door
(The door is part of the car)
28. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
The village church
(The church is part of the village)
Noun
Modifier
The car door
(The door is part of the car)
Noun
29. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
The village church
(The church is part of the village)
Noun
Modifier
The car door
(The door is part of the car)
Noun
Modifier
30. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
31. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
a gold watch
(The watch is made of gold)
32. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
a gold watch
(The watch is made of gold)
Noun
Modifier
33. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
a gold watch
(The watch is made of gold)
Noun
Modifier
a leather purse
(The purse is made of leather)
34. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
a gold watch
(The watch is made of gold)
Noun
Modifier
a leather purse
(The purse is made of leather)
Noun
Modifier
35. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
36. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
• We use measurements, age or value as noun modifiers.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
37. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
• We use measurements, age or value as noun modifiers.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
Modifier
(measurement)
38. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
• We use measurements, age or value as noun modifiers.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
Modifier
(measurement)
a five thousand dollar platinum watch
39. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Nouns as Modifiers
• We often use two nouns together to show that one thing is a
part of something else
• We can use modifiers to show what something is made of.
• We use measurements, age or value as noun modifiers.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
Modifier
(measurement)
a five thousand dollar platinum watch
Modifier
(value)
41. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Be careful!!!
When the modifier is a noun, NEVER use a
plural form.
42. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Be careful!!!
When the modifier is a noun, NEVER use a
plural form.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
Modifier
(measurement)
43. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Be careful!!!
When the modifier is a noun, NEVER use a
plural form.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
Modifier
(measurement)
INCORRECT: A thirty kilograms potato bag
44. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Be careful!!!
When the modifier is a noun, NEVER use a
plural form.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
Modifier
(measurement)
INCORRECT: A thirty kilograms potato bag
X
45. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Be careful!!!
When the modifier is a noun, NEVER use a
plural form.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
Modifier
(measurement)
a five thousand dollar platinum watch
Modifier
(value)
INCORRECT: A thirty kilograms potato bag
X
46. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Be careful!!!
When the modifier is a noun, NEVER use a
plural form.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
Modifier
(measurement)
a five thousand dollar platinum watch
Modifier
(value)
INCORRECT: A thirty kilograms potato bag
X
INCORRECT: A five thousand dollars platinum watch
47. ORDER OF MODFIERS
Be careful!!!
When the modifier is a noun, NEVER use a
plural form.
A thirty kilogram potato bag
Modifier
(measurement)
a five thousand dollar platinum watch
Modifier
(value)
INCORRECT: A thirty kilograms potato bag
X
INCORRECT: A five thousand dollars platinum watch
X
