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 ...
Wichita Eagle

Why we need hyphens

One of the regular features we do on Twitter is "Why we need hyphens": phrases that have different meanings depending on whether there's a hyphen. These usually occur when a noun has a compound ...
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 ...
Times Union

Seek the modifier's noun for clarity

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 ...
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) ...
Mental Floss

26 Unusual Plurals That Work Like "Attorneys General"

The usual way to modify a noun in English is to put an adjective before the noun: nice view, tasty treat, hot day. But every once in a while, we put the adjective after the noun. Often this is because ...