100 Examples of Sentence Modifiers

The sentence modifiers They are words or constructions that complement a clause or an entire sentence. For example: According to specialists, the vaccine is 99.7% effective. / Unfortunately, it started to rain. / Even if I lose the game, he already feels that he is a winner.

Unlike the complements of the name and of the verb complements, the sentence modifiers are outside the subject and the predicate, that is, outside the sentence.

Therefore, these modifiers must be distinguished from the circumstantial, those verbal complements that state the circumstances of an action. For example: he answered honestly. In this case, "honestly" is a circumstantial so, because he modifies the verb and, therefore, is inside the predicate.

Yet the same adverb It can fulfill the function of a sentence modifier. For example:HonestlyI think you have to make changes to the project. In this case, "honestly" is a sentence modifier, because it complements the whole sentence and, therefore, it is not a verb object nor is it within the sentence. predicate.

• It can help you: Subject and predicate

Structure of sentence modifiers

Sentence modifiers can be:

• noun phrases. Are nouns, pronouns, noun words or constructions whose nucleus is a noun, a pronoun or a noun word. For example: MariaShe sure knows how to cook.
• adverbial phrases. Are adverbs or constructions whose nucleus is an adverb. For example:Unfortunately, there are no more tickets for the movie.
• prepositional phrases. They are constructions that are introduced by a preposition followed by a term. For example:For you to take on account, the project delivery date is Wednesday of next week.
• Prayers. They are subordinate clauses or that are in a dependent relationship with respect to the main clause. For example:Although the exam was very difficult, many students approved it.
• absolute constructions. They are bimember constructions made up of an attribute and a noun phrase. For example: meeting overThe employees went home.
• connectors. They are one or several words that relate different elements of the sentence or text. For example:In conclusionGlobal warming is a phenomenon that cannot be denied.

Types of sentence modifiers

There are three large groups into which sentence modifiers can be classified: thematic modifiers, statement modifiers, and enunciation modifiers.

Thematic sentence modifiers

Thematic sentence modifiers indicate which is the framework that should be used to interpret the sentence. meaning of the sentence or what is the subject of the statement and are separated from the main clause by commas. For example: From a philosophical conception, consciousness is that mental activity that allows the human being to understand the world.

Sentence modifiers of the statement

The sentence modifiers of the statement are those that provide information related to the statement, that is, with the main sentence that they modify.

There are different types of utterance modifiers:

• absolute constructions. They are made up of an attribute (which is generally a participle, but it can also be an adverb, a adjective, a gerund or a prepositional phrase) and a noun phrase (which can be tacit). These constructions provide additional information, which usually has a causal, temporary, or concessive value, and are separated by commas from the main clause. For example: signed the agreement, the lawyers withdrew.
• explanatory relative subtitles. They are introduced by Relative Pronounsthat, which either which and they do not modify a single component of the sentence like the other relative suborations, but rather an entire clause. For example: The manager was late what made the boss worry.
• Constructions or consecutive sentences. They are introduced by consecutive conjunctions (so then therefore) and are statements that show the consequence of the main clause. For example: Today is snowing, so tomorrow will be a great day for skiing.
• Concessive sentences or constructions. They are introduced by concessive conjunctions (although, despite, despite) and are statements that establish an objection or a difficulty regarding what is mentioned in the main sentence. For example: even if it's cold, they will have to go to the supermarket to buy food.
• Constructions or conditional sentences. They are introduced by conditional conjunctions (if, unless, whenever) and are statements that establish a necessary condition for what is mentioned in the main sentence to take place. For example: If more products are sold, profits will increase.
• Constructions or causal sentences. They are introduced by causal conjunctions (because, since, because of) and are statements that express an explanation of what is mentioned in the main sentence. For example:It is Sunrising, because it's already six.
• modulators. They are words or constructions that provide information about the modality of the sentence (which can be declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, wishful, doubtful, affirmative or negative). For example: Hopefully the bus will arrive soon. (wishful modality)
• discursive connectors. They are words or constructions that relate and order clauses, sentences and paragraphs and that are usually found at the beginning of the statement. For example: They wanted to go to dinnerhowever, They did not attend.
• Speaker or sentence comments. They are generally adverbs or prepositional phrases that show the speaker's evaluation of the main clause and are separated from it by a comma. For example: FortunatelyThey won the tournament.
• Courtesy Expressions or Subscriptions. They are constructs or conditional subordinate clauses that are used to make a request or to give a command politely. For example:Yes you canCan you give me a glass of water?

to take into account: Only causal constructions can fulfill the circumstantial function within a predicate. For example: The glass of the car fogged up by the cold. In this case, "because of the cold" is a circumstantial complement of cause. Conditional, concessive and consecutive constructions or suborations never fulfill this function, since they always serve as modifiers or sentence complements.

Sentence modifiers of the enunciation

The sentence modifiers of the enunciation are those that do not provide information related to the statement or with the main sentence, but with the enunciation, that is, with the act of issuing a message.

With these types of modifiers, it is common for verbs of speech to appear (for example, say, ask, answer) or that they can be replaced. For example: SincerelyI don't know what time the flight will arrive. In this case, the verb say can be replaced:I mean it sincerelyI don't know what time the flight will arrive.

The sentence modifiers of the enunciation can be:

• so. They indicate how the speaker perceives the communicative act. For example: FranklyIt doesn't sound like a good movie to me.In this case, a speech verb can be replenished:I mean it franklyIt doesn't sound like a good movie to me.
• Of time. They indicate the moment or the frequency of the communicative act. For example: One more timeLet's go this way.In this case, a speech verb can be replenished: I say it one more timeLet's go this way.
• of cause. They establish what is the cause inferred by the speaker regarding an event, that is, they indicate why the speaker believes that an event occurs. For example:through the open doorthey are inside the house. In this case, verbs of speech or relating to reasoning can be replenished: through the open doorI think they are inside the house.
• of condition. They show how the speaker reached a conclusion, which is stated in the main clause, or point to the degree of certainty that the issuer has in relation to the content of the second part of the prayer. For example: If memory does not betray me, the park is five blocks from the train station.
• concession. They indicate an obstacle related to the knowledge that the speaker has regarding the main sentence or indicate that there is an impediment between the premise and the conclusion of a logical reasoning. The verb of speech is usually found in the sentence, but if it is unspoken, it can be replaced. For example:Although I don't know much about it, I can affirm that pollution is one of the causes of global warming.
• purpose. They indicate what the purpose of the speaker is when saying something. For example:So that everyone knows, this is the best path.In this case, a speech verb can be replenished: I'm saying this so everyone knows, this is the best path.

Examples of sentence modifiers

Examples of thematic sentence modifiers

1. According to specialists, it is good to eat different colored vegetables every day.
2. PersonallyI don't think it's a good idea.
3. Regarding investmentsNo one is sure what will happen.
4. Scientifically, it is possible to find a cure for this disease.
5. Legally, this agreement is unfeasible.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the statement – ​​absolute constructions

1. already at home, Enzo called his mother.
2. Away from the rest of the group, they organized the tasks.
3. once awake, Marina prepared breakfast.
4. finishing lunch, they began to talk about cinema.
5. Being head of the hospital, Roberto has to solve different problems every day.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the statement – ​​explanatory relative subordinations

1. The sun came out, what made the rooster crow.
2. The teacher explained the topic very well. which produced that the students understood it without problems.
3. He bowed, what was well received by the emperor.
4. The trains ran late yesterday morning, which caused many people to be late for their jobs.
5. Sonia studied hard for the exam, which led to it getting an excellent rating.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the statement – ​​constructions or consecutive sentences

1. There is no electricity, therefore, I cannot charge my cell phone battery.
2. A tire has failed, and, that's why, we will have to change it before starting the trip.
3. In these fields it rains in all seasons; therefore, it is a good area to cultivate.
4. Julio was the person who worked best in May and, consequently, he was chosen employee of the month.
5. Animals of the same species have similar DNA. hence they have many characteristics in common.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the sentence – concessive sentences or constructions

1. Even though she's raining, Analía will do the excursion in the mountains.
2. Although the country's economy is improving, not all productive sectors are in a good moment.
3. Although she has studied a few years at the conservatory, José is one of the best pianists in the country.
4. No matter how great a novelI don't think this work will receive any literary prize.
5. Although many scientists believe that the treatment will be effective, other experts maintain that it will only reduce the symptoms and that it will not serve to cure the disease.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the sentence – constructions or conditional sentences

1. If the manager approves the project, we will start working on it next week.
2. We will travel to London only if they approve the visa.
3. According to the Constitution, everyone is innocent. unless proven otherwise.
4. The train takes half an hour to reach the next town, unless there is something wrong.
5. Elena will prepare the wedding dinner provided her sisters help her.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the utterance – constructions or causal sentences

1. Because of the publication of the news that denounced cases of corruption, the mayor made the decision to resign.
2. He is very intelligent, because his parents say so.
3. José is not in his house, because the car is not in the driveway.
4. with those glassesYou must not see very well.
5. due to bad weatherThey decided to cancel the parade.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the statement – ​​modalizers

1. maybe They already arrived at the hotel. (doubtful modality)
2. mushrooms No they are plants. (negative modality)
3. YeahThey said they will attend the meeting. (affirmative modality)
4. Probably it's eight o'clock. (doubtful modality)
5. This town evidently Is abandoned. (declarative modality)

Examples of sentence modifiers of the statement – ​​discursive connectors

1. most vegetables, as chard and spinach contain high levels of iron.
2. Fish can only live in water instead, amphibians can live in water and on land.
3. Most plants perform photosynthesis that is to say, which, using sunlight, can transform inorganic materials into organic ones.
4. In summary, dermatologists consider that it is necessary to put sunscreen on the face every day.
5. Besides, the actor will work in three plays next year.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the utterance – speaker comments or sentences

1. Unfortunately, we won't make it to the basketball game.
2. Fortunately, they managed to reach the cabin before the sun went down.
3. Miraculously, the team won the tournament.
4. Unfortunately, the refrigerator in the supermarket broke down and the frozen products were spoiled.
5. Fortunately, it stop raining.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the statement – ​​expressions or courtesy subrogations

1. Give me that form please.
2. If you do not mindCould you lend me your pen?
3. if you are so kind, would you tell me what time it is?
4. If you have timeCan you stop by the bakery to buy bread?
5. If possibleCan you bring me another bottle of water?

Examples of sentence modifiers of the enunciation – so

1. SincerelyI don't know which of the two paintings I like more.
2. TrulyI don't think it's a good essay.
3. FranklyThe other dress seems prettier to me.
4. Honestly, I am very proud that you have finished the university.
5. plain, this is the best project in which I have participated.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the enunciation – of time

1. For the first time, this path is not safe.
2. For the second timeYou have to study hard for this exam, because it is very difficult.
3. Again, the salt is placed in the pot after the water boils.
4. For the last time, the store is already closed.
5. One more timeThese are the best pastas I've ever eaten in my entire life.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the enunciation – of cause

1. hail fell, because there are many small buns in the car.
2. These walls have leaks, because there are damp spots.
3. As there are no clouds in the sky, It will not rain.
4. Today must be a holiday since all the shops are closed.
5. This sweater must be made of wool, because it is very soft.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the enunciation – of condition

1. If I'm not mistakenThe movie starts at nine.
2. If there are red leaves on the trees, they must have taken the picture in winter.
3. if there is so much silence, the dogs must be sleeping.
4. If I remember correctly, The theory of special relativity, by Albert Einstein was published in 1905.
5. If it is a Borges book, it must be good.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the enunciation – of concession

1. Even though there's no snow on the groundI think it snowed a bit yesterday.
2. Even though I haven't finished watching the movieI maintain that the performances are very good.
3. Although I don't know much about economics, I understand that the financial situation is improving.
4. Although I haven't received any feedback yet, the publisher must have already read the book.
5. Although I have never visited ParisIt seems to me that it is a very beautiful city.

Examples of sentence modifiers of the enunciation – purpose

1. just to be clear, tomorrow's meeting is at six.
2. So that everyone knows, a new branch of the company will be opened.
3. So that there is no confusionThe exam is open book.
4. For you to take into account, the report is due at the end of the month.
5. In order to avoid misunderstandings, the client will arrive tomorrow at nine.

Extra-sentential attachments

There are elements that do not modify the main sentence, because they do not provide information that is related to the statement or the statement. These elements are not modifiers, but extra-sentential adjuncts.

There are two types of extra-sentential attachments:

• vocatives. They are those nouns, adjectives or pronouns that are used to attract the attention of the interlocutor and that are separated by a comma from the rest of the sentence. For example: Happy Birthday, grandfather!
• interjections or interjective locutions. They are those words or constructions that are used to express impressions, feelings or states of mind. encouragement or to attract the attention of the receiver and that are usually found between exclamation marks or exclamation. For example:¡Oh! What a nice day!

Interactive test to practice

Follow with:

• Elements of the sentence
• Syntax
• bimembered sentences
• Subject and predicate core
• Simple and compound sentences
• Sentences with subject, verb and predicate

References

• Quince Fernandez, A. m. (June 22, 2021). Circumstantial complements and sentence complements. commons Available in: commons
• Royal Spanish Academy & Association of Academies of the Spanish Language. (2010). New grammar of the Spanish language. Manual. Espasa.
• Rodriguez Ramalle, T. m. (2005). Spanish syntax manual. Editorial Castalia.
• Ruiz de Aguirre, A. (2020). new syntax. Own publication.