What are words, phrases, and clauses that describe other elements in a sentence called?

Modifiers are words, phrases, and clauses that provide additional information about other elements in a sentence, enhancing clarity and detail. They help to convey specific meanings by describing qualities, quantities, or characteristics of nouns and verbs. For example, in the phrase "the red car," "red" serves as a modifier that describes the noun "car," providing insight into its color.

Modifiers can take various forms, including adjectives (which modify nouns), adverbs (which modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs), and even phrases or clauses that elaborate on the subject or object of a sentence. This multifaceted nature of modifiers contributes to more nuanced and descriptive writing, allowing the writer to convey precise meanings and paint vivid images in the reader's mind.

In contrast, while adjectives and adverbs are specific types of modifiers, they do not encompass the broader category that includes phrases and clauses that modify sentences. Determiners serve a different purpose by indicating specificity and quantity but do not modify other elements in the sentence in the same comprehensive manner as modifiers do.