MODIFIERS OR COMPLEMENTS?

(adapted from Van Gelderen 2010: 179)

MODIFIERS:
May occur with any noun
Give general background information
Adopt a relatively free position
May recur in one NP (more than one are
possible in one NP)
COMPLEMENTS:
Occur with certain nouns, especially
those which are verb-like (deverbal
nouns)
Give information pertinent to the noun
Occur right after the noun
Cannot recur in one NP (only one per
NP)

i. The man in the corner recognised us straightaway.

ii. My younger brother has a keen interest in football.
iii. A close friend of mine is totally crazy about her cat.
iv. Kim gave your old red sweater to Lee.
v. His reliance on his memory was worrying.
vi. I found two wheels with rust in the old garage.
vii. The decision of coming here was not taken by me.
viii. On receiving the news of Ivan Ilychs death, the first thought of each of the assistants
in the private room was of the changes and promotions it might occasion among
themselves or their acquaintances.
ix. Leaned against the wall in the hall downstairs near the cloak-stand was a coffin-lid
covered with cloth of gold, ornamented with cold cord and tassels.