adjective
- occurring or positioned before a noun; used to describe a word or phrase that modifies a noun and comes before it
Usage: linguistics term; commonly used in grammar instruction
Examples
- In the phrase 'blue sky,' the adjective 'blue' is prenominal because it comes before the noun.
- The word 'beautiful' is prenominal when used in 'a beautiful day.'
- Prenominal modifiers are common in English, as in 'the old house' or 'three cats.'
- Unlike some languages, English allows many prenominal adjectives to modify nouns directly.
- In 'the sleeping child,' the participle 'sleeping' functions as a prenominal modifier.