Here's a breakdown:
* Modifier: A word, phrase, or clause that adds detail or changes the meaning of another word, called the headword.
* Headword: The word that the modifier modifies.
Examples:
* "Very" is a modifier in the phrase "very tall". It modifies the adjective "tall" by emphasizing its intensity.
* "Quickly" is a modifier in the sentence "The cat ran quickly". It modifies the verb "ran" by describing the manner of the action.
* "That is in the garden" is a modifier in the phrase "the dog that is in the garden". It modifies the noun "dog" by providing more information about it.
Modifiers can be adjectives, adverbs, phrases, clauses, and even other nouns. They are essential for making language precise and expressive.