MODIFIERS

By: Selamat H. Napitupulu

Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris

Fakultas Bahasa dan Seni
UNIVERSITAS INDRAPRASTA PGRI JAKARTA

ADVANCED STRUCTURE
 MODIFIERS
Adjectives as modifiers:
1. Pure Adjective as Modifiers
2. Present Participle as Modifier of adjective
3. Past Participle as Modifier of adjective
4. Adjective Clause as Modifier of adjective

Adverbs as Modifiers:
1. Pure Adverbs as Modifiers
2. Present Participle as Modifier of Adverbs
3. Past Participle as Modifier of Adverbs
4. Adverb Clause as Modifier of adjective
Pure Adjective as
Modifiers
Adjective is a word that used to modify a noun (nouns) or pronoun
(pronouns).

Examples:
➢ Adjective : red, yellow, blue, pink, white, black, green, etc.
➢ white house; a white house; a big white house.
➢ red car, a red car, a small red car.

Sentences :
1. His house is big.
2. She has a good voice.
3. She’s wearing a red dress.
4. The tower is very tall.
5. His story is very interesting.
6. I have a big white house.
Present Participle as
Modifiers (ADJECTIVE)
 Present Participial!
Present Participial is a word ending – ing that combined ‘ Bare Infinitive + ing ’.

Bare ing The Present Participle

Infinitive ‘Verb Infinitive + ing ‘
fly ing flying
help ing helping
jump ing jumping
bring ing bringing
ring ing ringing
swim ing swimming
Present Participles as Modifiers (Adjectives)

A Present Participial Phrase is always used as an adjective phrase to modify a noun or

pronoun. It includes the present participle together with its modifiers, objects, or
predicate words.
Present Participial Phrase Combinations
Present Noun Phrase Participial Phrase
Participial
hissing their forked red tongues • Hissing their forked red tongues
flying through the air • Flying through the air
searching through the fog • Searching through the fog
planning their trip • Planning their trip
climbing very slowly • Climbing very slowly
Present Participles as Modifiers (Adjectives)
Examples:
1. Hissing their forked red tongues, the diamond-scaled snakes attacked their prey.
2. Flying through the air, the hurdler eyed the finish line.
3. Searching through the fog, a beam of light swung out into the darkness.
4. Planning their trip, the class learned how to read a map.
5. Climbing very slowly, we approached the top of the hill.
6. Removing his coat, Jack rushed to the river.
7. Walking along the shoreline, Julia noticed her cousin

Note: All the underlined phrases above are present participial phrases function as
adjectives ( modifiers)
 Present Participles as Modifiers (Adjectives)
The Present Participle can be functioned as modifier (adjective) generally puts before the noun it
qualifies. Look at the underlined present participles in which they are functioned as adjective to
modify the bold nouns.
NOUN PHRASE SENTENCES
Modifier + Present Participle + Noun
1. this very interesting book. 1. Would you like to read this very interesting
2. that crying baby. book?
3. your boring explanation. 2. Can you listen to that crying baby? Maybe, the
4. your confusing story. baby has woken up.
5. this boiling water. 3. I think, Cornelia doesn’t want to listen to your
boring explanation.
Beautiful girl 4. Reza didn’t need your confusing story.
5. Be careful! This boiling water is very hot.
 Present Participles as Modifiers (Adverb)
COMMAS

Present Participial Construction is often (but not always) set off by commas and always
acts as an adjective.

Examples of Sentence with one ‘ - ing participles:

1. Flying , the hurdler eyed the finish line.
2. Rollerblading, he crossed the street.
3. Squealing , the birthday boy ripped open his presents.

Examples of Sentence with two ‘ - ing participles:

1. Kicking and screaming, the toddler cried on the kitchen floor.
2. Kicking the white tiles, screaming for a cookie, the toddler cried on the kitchen floor.

Examples of Sentence with three ‘ - ing participles:

• Hissing, slithering, and coiling, the diamond-scaled snakes attacked their prey.
 P r e s e n t P a r t i c i p i
Present Participles as Modifier (Adjectivea l u s e d
( A d j e cCtliavues eC) l a u s e )
Adjective Clause can be replaced into Adjective Phrase by using present participle. In this case, the
Present Participle is functioned as an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of the verb ‘
be ’. In some cases, the phrase containing the participle drops the relative pronoun.
Pattern : Article + Noun + Present Participle + ……..
Adjective Phrase
Examples:
1. The boy standing
2. The man waiting
3. The woman talking
4. The lecturer teaching
5. The girl waving
Pattern: ...... + Present Participle+ Object ( Noun/ Noun Phrase) / Adverb + ………..
Adjective Phrase
Examples:
1. playing the piano
2. remembering his friends.
 Present Participles as Modifier
‘Adjective Clause into Adjective Phrase’
Adjective Clause Adjective Phrase
1. The very nice lady who usually sits in 1.The very nice lady sitting in the front
the front row is Julia. row is Julia.

2. The beautiful lady who came to the party 2. The beautiful lady coming to the party
yesterday is Melisa. yesterday is Melisa.

3. The very attractive lady who sang ‘ 3. The very attractive lady singing ‘ Hello,
Hello, How are You?’ last night is How are You?’ last night is Martha.
Martha.

4. The very sexy lady who is doing the 4. The very sexy lady doing the exam is
exam is Hillary. Hillary.
 Present Participial as Modifiers
(with Adjective Phrases)
Correct / Adj Phrase Incorrect
1. The child now playing in the yard is my 1. The child now is playing in the yard is
son. my son.
2. The lecturer explaining in the class 2. The lecturer is explaining in the class
graduated from Nommensen HKBP graduated from Nommensen HKBP
University Pematangsiantar University Pematangsiantar.
3. The party offering the many promises in 3. The party is offering the many
the campaign is PDIP promises in the campaign is PDIP
4. The companies offering the lowest 4. The companies are offering the lowest
prices will have the most customers. prices will have the most customers.
 Present Participial as Modifiers
(with Adjective Clause)
Present Participle Phrase & Simple & Complex & Compound-Complex

Simple The very attractive lady is Martha.

Complex • The very attractive lady who sang ‘ Hello, How are You?’ last
night is Martha.
1 Adjective The very attractive lady singing ‘ Hello, How are You?’ last night

Phrase is Martha.
Compound • The very attractive lady who sang ‘ Hello, How are You?’ last
Complex night is Martha who/that has composed a few nice songs.
 Present Participial as Modifiers
(with Adjective Clause)
Present Participle Phrase & Simple & Complex & Compound-Complex

Simple The very nice lady is Julia.

2 Complex The very nice lady who usually sits in the front row is Julia.
Adjective The very nice lady sitting in the front row is Julia.
Phrase
Compound The very nice lady who usually sits in the front row is Julia who
Complex works at PT. Toba Pulp Lestari in Porsea, TOBA RESIDENT
who lives at Porsea is my girl friend .
 Present Participial as Modifiers
(with Adjective Clause)
Present Participle Phrase & Simple & Complex & Compound-Complex

Simple The beautiful lad is Melisa.

3 Complex The beautiful lady who came to the party yesterday is Melisa.
Adjective The beautiful lady coming to the party yesterday is Melisa.
Phrase
Compound The beautiful lady who came to the party yesterday is Melisa
Complex who/that has got many business where lives in Depok is my
girlfriend
 Present Participial as Modifiers
( with Adjective Clause)
Present Participle Phrase & Simple & Complex & Compound-Complex

Simple The very sexy lady is Hillary.

4 Complex The very sexy lady who is doing the exam is Hillary.
Adjective The very sexy lady doing the exam is Hillary.
Phrase
Compound The very sexy lady who is doing the exam is Hillary who/that
Complex always get good scores is my closed friend.
 Present Participles as Modifiers
We usually use the present participle to talk about the person, thing, or situation which has caused
the feeling.
Examples:
1. It was such a long, boring flight. (so I was bored).
2. I read a really interesting book about history. (so I was interested).
3. Many people find spiders frightening. (so they're frightened when they see spiders).

Be careful! ' I'm boring' is very different from ' I'm bored ' !. 'I'm boring' means I cause other
people to be bored. This is not good!

Here are some examples of when one person causes a feeling in another person:
1. I was talking to such a boring guy at the party. He talked about himself for an hour!
2. She's a really interesting woman. She's lived all over the world and speaks five languages.
3. My math’s teacher at school was really frightening! He was always shouting at the students.
 Present Participles as Modifiers
‘ w i t h Comparative & Superlative ‘
These participle adjectives make their comparative by using 'more' (not -er) and their superlative by
using 'most' (not –est).
Participle Adjectives Superlative
more boring than ….. the most boring
more tiring than ….. the most tiring
more alarming than ….. the most alarming
Examples:
1. That book is more boring than this one.
2. I think Dr Smith's lesson was more interesting than Dr Brown's.
3. I think this is the most interesting talk we've heard today.
4. It was the most frightening film that he'd ever seen.
 Past Participle as
Modifiers (ADJECTIVE)
 The Past Participle !
A Past Participle is a word that is formed from a verb. It probably ends
"-ed," "-d," "-t," "-en," or "-n.

The Past Participle is commonly used as an adjective and adverb.

 The Verbs Form
To Infinitive Infinitive/ Bare Infinitive/ Bare Present Participle Past Past Participle
Infinitive Infinitive ( V + ing)
( s/es/ies)
1 2 3 4 5 6
to listen listen listens listening listened listened
to operate operate operates operating operated operated
to report report reports reporting reported reported
to explain explain explains explaining explained explained
to say say says saying said said
to tell tell tells telling told told
to present present presents presenting presented presented
to think think thinks thinking thought thought
to speak speak speaks speaking spoke spoken
to study study studies studying studied studied
to carry carry carries carrying carried carried
Past Participial as Modifiers(Adjectives) !
• Verbs expressing a process may take past participle forms which can modify
nouns and express completed states. These modifiers have some adjective and
some verb-like properties.
• The common past participles that can be as adjectives are: motivated ,
shattered , trained , paid , demotivated, bored , tainted , scared ,
confused, burn, destroyed, written , shocked, agitated, demotivated, tired,
exhausted, terrified, petrified, frightened, frustrated, embarrassed, depressed,
excited, thrilled, amazed, motivated, amused, overwhelmed, relaxed, satisfied,
amazed, interested
Past Participial Phrases as Modifiers(Adjectives)
Past Participial Phrase Past Participial Phrase
Past Participial Noun Phrase/ Preposition Phrase Combinations
released last night released last night
injured in the attack injured in the attack
destroyed by the fire destroyed by the fire
jammed with people jammed with people
interested in music early interested in music early
damaged by writer damaged by writer
confused by the assignment confused by the assignment
annoyed by the noise annoyed by the noise
clogged with traffic clogged with traffic
interested in music early interested in music early
Past Participial as Modifiers(Adjectives)
A past participle as adjective is placed just before a noun

Past Past Participle + Noun Sentences

Participle

1 roasted roasted chicken This is a roasted chicken.

2 broken broken phone I will not buy a broken phone.
3 trained trained fighter Don’t mess with him; he is
a trained fighter
4 motivated motivated man A motivated man can do anything.
5 colored colored glasses They are selling colored glasses.
Past Participial Phrases as Modifiers(Adjectives)

Others Examples:
1. A motivated man can do anything.
2. He fought with a shattered nose.
3. Don’t mess with him; he is a trained fighter.
4. It will not be a paid task.
5. He is demotivated.
6. We are bored right now.
7. He was fired for consuming tainted supplements.
8. My friend Jon is scared of dogs.
9. Everyone was confused after my performance.
10. What did you do with the burnt clothes?
11. The cops found some destroyed papers in his apartment.
12. She needs a written apology.
Past Participial as Subject Compliment
A past participle as adjective is placed after a linking or stative verb.

Past Participle Sentences

1 shattered His nose is shattered.

2 demotivated He is demotivated.

3 scared My friend John is scared of dogs.

4 get tired She does not get tired.

5 thrilled We all are thrilled to hear this.

 Past Participial as Modifiers with ‘
Linking Verb/Stative Verbs’ !
A past participle adjective can also come after a linking verb/ stative vers.
Examples:
1. My friend Jon is scared of dogs.
2. Everyone was confused after my performance.
3. I was really embarrassed when our pictures were shown on the big screen.
4. She does not get tired.
5. Nothing seems to be working for me. I am just frustrated.
6. We all are thrilled to hear this.
Past Participial as Modifiers ( Adjectives
) with ‘ hyphen’ !
Past participles are sometimes combined with a noun or an adjective using a hyphen; the
entire hyphenated expression works as an adjective.
Examples:
1. I am a self-made person.
2. He is a self-driven man.
3. Coal-powered engines are no longer in use.
4. Meat-fed animals are believed to live longer.
5. A well-known actor follows me on Instagram.
 Past Participial as Modifiers (Adjective
Clause)!
Past participle clauses usually replace a sentence with a verb in the passive
voice.
1. Found in a litter bin, the briefcase contained classified information.
(=The briefcase was found.)
2. Impressed by the painting, John praised the artist.
(=He was impressed by the painting.)
3. Founded 20 years ago, the company has received many awards.
(= The company was founded 20 years ago.)
4. Located in the city centre, the bar is very popular among tourists.
(= The bar is located in the city centre)

•
 Past Participial as Modifiers (Adjective
Clause)!

Note that these participle clauses can often be replaced by a relative clause:
1. The briefcase, which was found in a litter bin, contained classified
information.
2. John, who was impressed by the painting, praised the artist.
3. The company, which was founded 20 years ago, has received many awards.
4. The bar, which is located in the city centre, is very popular among tourists

•
 Past Participial Phrases as Modifiers
‘
(Adjectives) with ‘ COMMA’
A past participial phrase that provides information that is non-essential to understand a
subject should be set off by commas.
Examples:

1. Roberto, thrown overboard, struggled in the water until Leroy tossed him a rope.

2. The Denver Broncos, defeated in Super Bowl XLVIII, had been expected to win.

3. My television and stereo, stolen in the burglary, will be replaced by insurance.

4. Maria, confused by the assignment, asked her instructor for extra help.
 Past Participial Phrases as Modifiers
(Adjectives) with ‘ COMMA’

A non-essential past participial phrase that describes the subject of the sentence can also
come at the beginning of the sentence; a comma will follow the phrase.
Examples:

1. Thrown overboard, Roberto struggled in the water until Leroy tossed him a rope.

2. Defeated in Super Bowl XLVIII, the Denver Broncos had been expected to win.

3. Stolen in the burglary, my television and stereo will be replaced by insurance.

4. Confused by the assignment, Maria asked her instructor for extra help.
Past Participial Phrases as Adjectives !
Notes for The Past Participle Phrases

Writing past participial phrases can be tricky. Not all past participles can be
turned into past participial phrases. In fact, only past participle forms
of transitive verbs can be turned into Past Participial Phrases. For
example, throw is a transitive verb, so its past participle form (thrown) can be
used in a past participial phrase. On the other hand, arrive is an intransitive
verb, so its past participle form (arrived) cannot be used in a past participial
phrase.
Adverbs as Modifier
( ADVERBS)
 Adverbs as Modifiers
An adverb is a word that used to modify a verb.
The Types of Adverbs :
1. Adverb of frequency : always, sometimes, usually
2. Adverb of times : now , tomorrow, at 7 a.m. yesterday
3. Adverb of places : in Pematangsiantar, in jakarta, in Medan, at school, at 70
Siantar Motor Karang Tengah Lebak Bulus
4. Adverb of manners: carefully
 Adverb as Modifiers

An adverb is a word that modifies (describes) a verb an adjective,

another adverb, or even a whole sentence. Adverbs often end in -ly, but
some (such as fast) look exactly the same as their adjective counterparts.
Examples:
Adjective Adverb
( ending in – ‘ ly’ )
silent silently
slow slowly
careful carefully
clear clearly
nice nicely
polite politely, etc.
 Adverb as Modifiers
Examples:
1. Thomas did not run badly.
Note: badly modifies ‘ run ‘

2. Jelly is very tall.

Note: very modifies ‘ tall ‘

3. The race finished too quickly.

Note: too modifies ‘ quickly ‘

4.Fortunately, James recorded Laura’s win.

Note: fortunately modifies ‘ recorded ‘
 Adverbs as Modifiers
Examples:
1. Jack always speaks English. (frequency)
2. Julia has explained the cases clearly. (manner)
3. Mr. Agus Pasaribu has been working at 70 Siantar Motor, Karang Tengah Lebak
Bulus for 2 years. (place)
4. All the employees started working at 7 a.m. yesterday. (time)
5. Sir. Daniel Napitupulu usually fixes a few motorcycles very carefully. (manner)
 Adverb as Modifiers
Examples of in Series of Adverbs :

We snuck into the mysterious house, silently, slowly, and carefully.

S P Obj Adv Adv Adv

Note: ‘ silently, slowly, carefully ‘ are Adverb of manner which modifies ‘ snuck ‘

The tall slim man usually speaks clearly, nicely, and politely.
S Adv P Adv Adv Adv

Note: ‘ clearly, nicely, politely ‘are Adverb of manner which modifies ‘ speaks’
 Adverb as Modifiers
Examples of Non- Parallel in Series of Adverbs :

Non The production manager was asked to write his report quickly
Adv
Parallel accurately, and in a detailed manner.
Adv Phrase

Parallel The production manager was asked to write his report quickly,
S P Obj Obj Comp Adv
accurately, and thoroughly.
Adv Adv
Note: quickly, accurately, and thoroughly are adverb of manner which
modify ‘ was asked’
Present Participle as
Modifier
( ADVERBS)
 Present Participial as Adverbs
( Adverb Clause)

Present Participle Phrase that functioned as adverb that modifies each verb in the

sentences.

Examples:

1. Walking along the street , …….

2. Running down the stairs , …….

3. Having studied English at Express , …….

4. Knowing that , …….

 Present Participial as Adverb
( Adverb Clause)

REPLACEMENT OF A RELATIVE CLAUSE

Relative Clause Without Relative Clause
( Adverb Clause)
➢ While I was walking along the street, I met my ➢ Walking along the street, I met my old friend.
old friend.
➢ While she was running down the stairs, she ➢ Running down the stairs, she slipped and broke
slipped and broke her leg. her leg.
➢ After she had studied English at Express, ➢ Having studied English at Express, Clara went
Clara went home with her friends. home with her friends.
➢ As he knew he wouldn’t be able to buy food on ➢ Knowing that he wouldn’t be able to buy food
his journey, he took large supplies with him on his journey, he took large supplies with him.
 Present Participles as ‘Adverbs’
with Preposition
Thus, preposition (in, at, on, at, for, to, by, etc.) can be used in front of present
participle which functioned as adverb phrase that modifies each verb in the
sentences.
Pattern: Preposition + Present Participle Phrase + S + P + ….!
Examples:
1. After running rapidly, the old man fell.
2. In applying some techniques, it is needed to comprehend them previously
3. By studying hard, Joe received good grades.
4. In reading linguistic books, Clara needs English dictionary.
5. At making some cakes, my mother always uses blender to blend anything she needs.
 Present Participial as Adverbs!

The present participle is sometimes used as an adverb to describe the manner in which a
verb is performed.
Examples:
1. She taught pounding the grammar into their heads!
2. Angel works considering all angles.
Notice how the present participle could be preceded with 'by' to give the same meaning.
Examples:
1. She taught (by) pounding the grammar into their heads!
2. Angel works (by) considering all angles.
Past Participle as
Modifier
( ADVERBS)
 Past Participles as ‘ Adverbs’
1. Encouraged by his friends, he took the offer and began working on the project.
2. Frustrated with the job and the people he was working with, he left the company.
3. Dropped from the team the fourth time, Jon stopped playing cricket and opened his
own company.
4. Motivated by all the teachers, Alex joined the IAS coaching
5. Seen from this perspective, the problem presents no easy solution.
6. Spent all his free time in the library, he continued to learn outside of class.
7. Left alone with nowhere to go, Mary decided to return home a few days early

Here, the past participle phrase is working as the reason why the subject did the action
in the main clause.
 Past Participles as ‘ Adverbs’
A past participle as adverb (adverbial past participle) is a kind of non-finite verb
phrase. It behaves like an adverb with respect to the rest of the sentence and is headed by
a past participle. It is meant that past participle can be used as adverb that modifies a
verb. The Past Participle Phrase can also work as the cause of the main clause. In
such situations, it commonly comes at the beginning of a sentence as introduce
sentences.
Examples:
1. Abandoned by those around him, the king timidly advanced.
2. Glazed with barbecue sauce, the rack of ribs lay nestled next to a pile of sweet
coleslaw.
3. Deceived by his friends, he killed himself.
4. Terrified, they fled from the scene.
5. Dejected, he left the room.
6. Undeterred by the setbacks, she persevered.
PRACTICES
 Practice
Direction: Read each sentence below, and identify the modifier of each sentence.
1. The crying baby had a wet nappy.
‘ Crying ‘ is the modifier (adjective ) that modifies ‘baby’.
2. She is very beautiful.
3. It is very hot.
4. He did it very nicely.
5. She is very sweet.
6. Sometimes, I keep thinking about my young days.
7. She ate too quickly that she started coughing.
8. The car moved swiftly through the path.
9. He slowly moved his scooter into the lane.
 Practice
10.He slowly moved his scooter into the lane.
11.He wrote the letter very carefully. (with adverb
12.Shaken, he walked away from his wrecked car.
13.Removing his coat, Paul rushed to the river.
14.Arriving at the store, I found that it was closed.
15.Washing and polishing the car, Frank developed sore muscles.
16.My soundly sleeping grandfather will soon get up for his dinner.
17.She got a dancing doll for her birthday.
18.The beaten home team was booed as soon as the match ended.
19.The three of us got into the boat rented for a fishing trip.
20.The people exercising every day lost the most weight
21.There were many employees working very hard
 Practice
Direction: Read each sentence below, and identify the modifier of each sentence.
1. The crying baby had a wet nappy.
‘ Crying ‘ is the modifier (adjective ) that modifies ‘baby’.
2. She is very beautiful. (with adjective)
3. It is very hot. (with adjective)
4. He did it very nicely. (with adverb)
5. She is very sweet. (with adjective)
6. Sometimes, I keep thinking about my young days.
7. She ate too quickly that she started coughing.
8. The car moved swiftly through the path.
9. He slowly moved his scooter into the lane.
 Practice
10.He slowly moved his scooter into the lane.
11.He wrote the letter very carefully. (with adverb
12.Shaken, he walked away from his wrecked car.
13.Removing his coat, Paul rushed to the river.
14.Arriving at the store, I found that it was closed.
15.Washing and polishing the car, Frank developed sore muscles.
16.My soundly sleeping grandfather will soon get up for his dinner.
17.She got a dancing doll for her birthday.
18.The beaten home team was booed as soon as the match ended.
19.The three of us got into the boat rented for a fishing trip.
20.The people exercising every day lost the most weight
21.There were many employees working very hard
 ABSTRUCT NOUN
PHRASES
By: Selamat H. Napitupulu

Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris

Fakultas Bahasa dan Seni
UNIVERSITAS INDRAPRASTA PGRI JAKARTA

ADVANCED STRUCTURE
 What is NOUN?

A noun is a name of anything. It may be the name of a person ( Joseph, boy,

teacher), an object (box, toy), a quality or condition (purity, goodness,
poverty), a weight or quantity of something (pound, ounce, pint, bushel), a
measure (yard, rod), an action ( movement, performance), a state (death), and
occurrence (accident), a sense impression (sound, noise), and a great many
other sorts of things. It can be recognized by the articles such as “ the, a, an “
that we place in front of them.
 Common Noun

• Common Noun name any person, place, or thing. It always begins with a capital
letter.
• Common Noun : car, table, book, pen, house, teacher, bag, glass, people etc.
• Common nouns are of two types: concrete and abstract nouns.

In each of the following sentences, the common nouns are highlighted:

1. According to the sign, the nearest town is 60 miles away.
2. All the gardens in the neighborhood were invaded by beetles this summer.
3. I don't understand why some people insist on having six different kinds of mustard
in their cupboards.
4. The road crew was startled by the sight of three large moose crossing the road.
5. Many child-care workers are underpaid.
 Common Noun

Sometimes you will make proper nouns out of common nouns, as in the following
examples:
1. The tenants in the Garnet Apartments are appealing the large and sudden
increase in their rent.
2. The meals in the Bouncing Bean Restaurant are less expensive than meals in
ordinary restaurants.
3. Many witches refer to the Renaissance as the Burning Times.
4. The Diary of Anne Frank is often a child's first introduction to the history of the
Holocaust.
 Proper Noun

Proper Nouns are names of :

1. People : Poltak, Bonar, Brown, Johannes, George Bush, Obama , etc.
2. Things : Financial Times, Eiffel Tower, Toyota, Kijang, Eiffel Tower ,
etc.
3. Animals : King Kong, Lassie, monkey, pig, dog, etc.
4. Places : Parapat, Pematangsiantar, Medan, London, Jakarta,
Surabaya, Central Park , etc.
 Proper Noun

A proper noun begins with a capital letter. Proper nouns also refer to times or to dates
in the calendar: Saturday, April, May, June, etc. In each of the following sentences,
the proper nouns are highlighted:
1. The Marroons were transported from Jamaica and forced to build the
fortifications in Halifax.
2. Many people dread Monday mornings.
3. Beltane is celebrated on the first of May.
4. Abraham appears in the Talmud and in the Koran.
5. Last year, I had a Baptist, a Buddhist, and a Gardnerian Witch as roommates.
 Concrete Noun
Concrete Nouns name a person or an object that can actually be seen,
touched, tasted, heard or smelled, such as: car, spoon, fork, pen, TV, lamp,
etc. The highlighted words in the following sentences are all concrete nouns:
1. The judge handed the files to the clerk.
2. Whenever they take the dog to the beach, it spends hours chasing
waves.
3. The real estate agent urged the couple to buy the second house
because it had new shingles.
4. As the car drove past the park, the thump of a disco tune overwhelmed
the string quartet's rendition of a minuet.
5. The book binder replaced the flimsy paper cover with a sturdy, cloth-
covered board.
 Abstract Noun

An abstract noun refers to states, events, concepts, feelings, qualities,

etc., that have no physical existence.
Abstract nouns name:
1. Feelings such as: happiness, loneliness, sorrow and anger.
2. Qualities such as: courage, intelligence, bravery and honesty
3. Ideas and Thoughts such as: freedom, friendship and equality
that have no physical existence. They can be either countable or
uncountable.
 Abstract Noun
We can form abstract nouns from (i) common nouns; (ii) from verbs B(ii) and
from adjectives. Look at the following formation:
1 2 3
common noun → abstract verb → abstract nouns adjective →abstract
nouns noun
child childhood know knowledge happy happiness
friend friendship beautify beauty sad sadness
boy boyhood obey obedience kind kindness
slave slavery grow growth lazy laziness
king kingdom, etc. move movement, etc. free freedom, etc.
 Abstract Noun

The highlighted words in the following sentences are all abstract nouns:
1. Tillie is amused by people who are nostalgic about childhood.
2. Justice often seems to slip out of our grasp.
3. Some scientists believe that schizophrenia is transmitted genetically.
4. Buying the fire extinguisher was an afterthought.
5. Some scientists believe that schizophrenia is transmitted genetically.
6. He is a man of strength.
7. The people in this part of the country live in poverty.
8. Cruelty to animals is a punishable offence.
 Abstract Noun

The highlighted words in the following sentences are all abstract nouns:
9. He is on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
10.I have great pleasure to welcome you.
11.Childhood is the best period of your life.
12.Wastage should always be avoided.
13.As a parent my children’s safety is of utmost importance to me.
14.As the sun went below the horizon darkness enveloped the planet.
15.There is no end to his wickedness
 Abstract Noun as Subject

Abstract Noun can be used as subject in any sentences, for examples:

1. Friendship required that I act immediately.
2. Honesty demanded that I tell the truth.
3. Clarity required that we rephrase our demands.
4. Kindness needs humility.
5. Correctness needs you to modify the data.
6. The idea that I could win never occurred to me.
7. His bravery will not be forgotten.
8. Hatred will only bring sorrow to you, not to the object of your hatred.
9. The freedom that we enjoy is not recognized by many who have always had it.
 Abstract Noun as Objects

Abstract Noun can be used as objects in any sentences, for

examples:
1. know the importance of learning English.
2. I would like the opportunity to study abroad.
3. She needs to have more confidence.
4. Happiness means different things to different people.
5. You should save your money for your education.
6. She has a lot of pride.
 Abstract Noun Phrases

An abstract noun phrase is a group of words that contains

two or more abstract noun. It refers to states, events,
concepts, feelings, qualities, etc. that have no physical
existence, such as: management of the office, Mr. Smith’s
arrest for fraud, the disappearance of the money, the
Senator’s argument(s), etc.
Abstract Noun Phrases as Subjects Compliment

Subjects” in abstract noun phrases are used in the same way as “subjects
compliment ” in gerund phrases, for examples:
1. He is responsible for the management of the office. (implied “ subject” of
management is he)
2. All his friends were astounded at Mr. Smith’s arrest for fraud ( “Subject”
in possessive form)
3. The policemen were immediately notified about the disappearance of the
money. (“subject” in of phrase form)
4. Many people were convinced by the Senator’s argument(s) in favor of the
bill. ( also the argument(s) of the Senator)
 Abstract Noun Phrases as Objects

In an abstract noun phrase, an original direct object often takes of phrase form,
or less frequently, possessive form. Thus, some original direct objects of finite
verbs require prepositions other than “of” when they follow the abstract noun
derived from the verb, for examples:
1. The execution of the prisoners will cause much public disapproval.
(compare with the gerund phrase; the executing of the prisoners) OR
2. The prisoners’ execution will cause much public disapproval. (
apostrophe )
3. The employment of highly qualified workers has greatly increased
their production.
 Abstract Noun Phrases as Compliments

Special “Complements” of Noun in Abstract Noun Phrases

Prepositional phrases, infinitive phrases of that noun clauses that normally
follow verbs or adjectives may also follow the nouns derived from such words:

He atoned for his sins becomes.

Prepositional phrase
His atonement for his sins.
He decided to make a trip becomes.
Infinitive phrase
His decision to take a trip.
He suggested that we see a lawyer becomes.
That noun clauses
His suggestion that we see a lawyer.
 72

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