modify

[hanuman_2000]

Sir,

When we say adverb modify the verb,adjective or another adverb.Sometime we say adverb govern the adjective........


What does it mean "modify" and "govern"?


Thanks.

[Alan]

To MODIFY is to limit or qualify the meaning of a word. The chief types of modification are:

1. Adjectives modifying nouns (e.g. a RED ball).
2. Adverbs modifying verbs (e.g. go QUICKLY).
3. Adverbs modifying adjectives (e.g. EXTREMELY good).
4. Adverbs modifying other adverbs (e.g. EXTREMELY quickly).

To GOVERN is to force a certain grammatical form on a (typically) subseqent word. The chief types of government are

1. Subjects governing verbs as to person (e.g. I AM - not *I is) and number (e.g. they ARE - not *they am
).
2. Verbs and prepositions governing objects (e.g. I see HIM/for HER - not *I see HE/for SHE).
3. Nouns governing demonstrative adjectives as to number (e.g. THOSE people - not *THAT people).