Postmodifiers

Postmodification or qualification consists of the modification that occurs after the headword. These are the words that come after the main noun. 

They consist of finite clauses, non-finite clauses, and prepositional phrases. Postmodifiers give extra or specific information about the noun and they are not necessary to complete the meaning.

Types of postmodifiers

Finite clauses

These are clauses that are introduced by relative pronouns such as who, whom, whose, which, and that. 

Some examples are: 

Non-finite clauses

The non-finite post modifying clause can be considered a reduced form of the finite relative clause. It does not have the relative pronoun and the finite. There are three main types of non-finite postmodifying clauses: ing-clauses (verb in gerund), ed-clauses (verb in participle), and to-clauses (verb in infinitive).

Some examples are: 

Prepositional phrases

There is a prepositional phrase (which begins with a preposition) that post modifies the head noun.

Some examples are: 

Click here to find more information about noun phrases and postmodifiers on the British Council website. 

References

• Bloor, M., Bloor, T. (2004). The Functional Analysis of English: A Hallidayan Approach.Oxford University Press Inc. New York. 

• Gillett, A. (1999). Using English for Academic Purposes For Students in Higher Education. UEFAP. Taken from: http://www.uefap.com/grammar/gramfram.htm

• Lock, G. (1996). Functional English Grammar: An introduction for second language teachers. Cambridge University Press.