Los Angeles Times

A Word, Please: For less confusion, seek the modifier’s noun

Not long ago, I used as an example in this column “Having already missed two mortgage payments, Jane asked her mother if she could loan her some money.” I was making the point that editors usually ...
Vanguard

Using modifiers in speaking and writing (1)

MODIFIERS give us information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. They are important because they help to paint the true picture of the information we seek to convey to our reader or listener. The ...
Los Angeles Times

A Word, Please: Some compound modifiers don’t need a hyphen to make sense

Russ in New Jersey had a question about hyphens: In “northwestern California landmark” should “northwestern California” be hyphenated? “I’m not sure if it’s simply a matter of preference or if the ...
usace.army.mil

Commonly Used Terms

Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier: He was active duty before becoming a reserve Soldier. He was an active-duty Soldier before becoming a reserve Soldier. African American (noun) ...
The Conversation

On the life of an adjective

University of Melbourne provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU. Adjectives have always been out there, mobs of them pressing on the outside walls, their faces against the ...