Language Glossary for EAS

I will start to compile a list of language terms and definitions which will be of use to you when writing commentaries. Here are some important ones:

1. Noun phrase: a word of group of words functioning in a sentence exactly like a noun, with a noun or pronoun as head.
A noun phrase can be a noun or pronoun alone, but is frequently a noun or pronoun with pre-modification and/or post-modification.

eg: the name (the = definite article; name = noun head)
the odd name (odd = pre-modifier)
the name of the game (of the game = post-modifier)
the name he gave (he gave = post-modifier)

2. Modifier: a word or phrase which adds to the meaning of the head word of that phrase.
In the examples above, odd, of the game, he gave, are all modifiers. Pre-modifiers come before the head word and post-modifiers afterwards.
Adverbs act as modifiers in verb phrases.
e.g. I ran quickly (I = pronoun; ran = verb; quickly = modifier)

3. Submodifier: a word which modifies a modifier.
e.g. a very large house (very is a submodifier because it modifies the modifier large).
Contrast with: a large haunted house (both large and haunted are modifiers).

4. Intensifier: an adverb that scales another element upwards or downwards in scales of intensity.
e.g. We thoroughly disapprove and are bitterly disappointed.
You worry a lot.
I hardly know them.
We were kind of wondering.