TeachingEnglish
      modifiers

      Hello,

      I'd like to know if there is any difference in meaning between the following:

       behavior demands and behavioral demands

      Does the use of a noun as modifier change the meaning of the phrase?

      Thank you.

      Maria Duarte


      pape boubel wagne's picture
      pape boubel wagne
      Submitted on 29 February, 2012 - 13:48

      I think that there is no difference

       

      rubik101's picture
      rubik101
      Submitted on 21 March, 2012 - 09:19

      The following sentences should illustrate the difference.

      1. Bad behaviour demands some form of discipline. (Behaviour in this case is a noun.)

      2. The behavioural demands of the child were excessive. (Behavioural in this case is an adverb.)

      I hope this helps.

      Rubik

      Pushparajah's picture
      Pushparajah
      Submitted on 26 March, 2012 - 20:16

      The term modifiers is used in two ways in English Grammar;

      1.to refer to whatever qualifies the head of a noun phrase,either as premodifier or post modifier;e.g.

      those very fine old Greek vases from the site of an ancien temple

      (premodifiers)      (head)  (premodifiers)

       2.to refer to words or phrases that soften the impact of others,such as rather,somewhat,a bit;some grammarians call them downtoners.,some call them hedge words: practically.kind of,just 

      compare intensifiers, words or phrases which reinforce or emphaize the force of others.

      definitive adjectives  are often nouns conscripted for adjectival service,: iron bar, water bottle

       

      (source: the Cambridge Guide to English Usage)

       

       

       

      umangnovice's picture
      umangnovice
      Submitted on 4 April, 2012 - 00:53

      behavior demands = behavior as subject and demands as verb so it is a clause

      behaviral demands = noun phrase only

      DianeGarrett's picture
      DianeGarrett
      Submitted on 1 July, 2012 - 02:59

      rubik101 wrote:

      The following sentences should illustrate the difference.

      1. Bad behaviour demands some form of discipline. (Behaviour in this case is a noun.)

      2. The behavioural demands of the child were excessive. (Behavioural in this case is an adverb.)

      I hope this helps.

      Rubik

      Agree your points. :D

      Heath's picture
      Heath
      Submitted on 3 July, 2012 - 16:13

      To rubik101, umangnovice, and DianeGarrett,

      Nouns can serve functions other than subject, and in this case Maria Duarte is asking about the role of 'behaviour' as a modifier, not as a subject

       

      To Maria,

      I agree with pape boubel wagne, and expect there is no difference in meaning.  It might help for us to see the context(s), though.  I can imagine that there might be a technical difference in a specific academic field (eg. behavioural psychologists might distinguish between the two terms, perhaps).


      I'd suggest trying one or more of the following:

      • A google search - then comparing how each is used in two or three articles each.
      • A corpus search (try the concordancing tools at www.lextutor.ca)
      • Checking with a couple of specialist dictionaries/terminology books (Psychology, Anthropology or Sociology, I'd guess)

      :)

      Eden Nutt's picture
      Eden Nutt
      Submitted on 31 August, 2012 - 17:16

      Hello guys,

      I have the same opinion with you. Must appreciated.

      harry47's picture
      harry47
      Submitted on 13 June, 2013 - 12:47

       Hello,

      I'm preparing for GMAT and unable to understand the concept of misplaced modifers. I saw this question from a website. Please review it and explain me the concept.

      Finally thinking clearly, the book was able to be understood by Rebecca.

      Why is this senetence wrong?

      Thank you in advance.