defining modifiers
[/dɪˈfaɪnɪŋ ˈmɑːdɪfaɪərz/]
noun
modificadores definidores
1. Grammatical elements (adjectives, phrases, or clauses) that restrict or specify the meaning of a noun, essential to identifying which particular person, thing, or group is being referred to; also called restrictive modifiers
In the sentence 'The students who scored above 90% received scholarships,' the clause 'who scored above 90%' is a defining modifier that specifies which students received scholarships.
Na frase 'Os alunos que pontuaram acima de 90% receberam bolsas,' a oração 'que pontuaram acima de 90%' é um modificador definidor que especifica quais alunos receberam bolsas.
2. Modifiers that are grammatically necessary to the meaning of the sentence and cannot be removed without changing the essential meaning
In 'The red car is mine,' the word 'red' is a defining modifier because it distinguishes this car from other cars.
Em 'O carro vermelho é meu,' a palavra 'vermelho' é um modificador definidor porque distingue este carro de outros carros.
Defining modifiers are a fundamental concept in English and Portuguese grammar instruction. In Brazil, they are typically taught in secondary school as part of syntax studies, while in Portugal the term 'modificadores restritivos' (restrictive modifiers) is more commonly used. Understanding the distinction between defining and non-defining modifiers is crucial for proper punctuation in both languages, as non-defining modifiers require commas while defining modifiers do not.
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