An Adjunct1 is a word or a group of words added to some part of a sentence to show something about what that part represents.

The length of a sentence depends upon the number and complexity of its adjuncts.

Exercise 84

(1) Select the essential elements; (2) read the words you have selected to see if they make a sentence; (3) describe the adjuncts. There is an easy way to find out what part of the sentence an adjunct is added to. First read the sentence without the adjunct and see what you do not know. You will then see what the omitted part was put in to show something about. This will show what it must be added to.

Model

The lecturer, who understood his subject well, made very difficult points clear by a few illustrations.

The word lecturer is the subject, the word made is the copula, and the words made clear are the predicate attribute of transitive action. The word points is the object. (Why?) The word clear is the predicate attribute of the object; it shows the effect of making clear on the points. The words, lecturer made points clear, are the essential elements.

1 Sometimes the terms modifier and qualifier are used instead of adjunct.

The word the shows that some particular lecturer is meant, and is added to the noun lecturer. The words, who understood his subject well, describe the lecturer, and are added to the noun lecturer. The words, by a few illustrations, show the means of making clear the points, and are added to the words made clear. The words very difficult express a quality of the points, and are added to the noun points.

1. Here have the birds been building their nests.

2. The squire was a fine, healthy-looking old gentleman.

3. The dog that lay at his feet looked fondly up into his master's face.

4. There was once a merchant who had no children. (Express the thought without the word there).

5. This is the land where the giant lives.

6. A boy playing in the field was stung by a nettle.