adnominal

Adnominal refers to any modifier that attaches to a noun within a noun phrase. The term is used to distinguish elements that directly modify a noun from predicative adjectives that occur after a linking verb. Adnominal modifiers include adjectives, determiners, participles used attributively, and even nouns functioning as modifiers within the noun phrase. In many grammars, these are also called attributive elements or adjectival modifiers of the noun.

English commonly places adnominal adjectives before the noun: the red balloon, a tall building. Determiners such as the, this, and possessive pronouns like my are often treated as adnominal parts of the noun phrase. Some modifiers are formed by compound or hyphenated forms, such as editor-in-chief or stone-walled street (the latter is less standard). Additionally, nouns can modify other nouns in attributive position, as in car keys or city park—a usage known as a noun used attributively.

Cross-linguistically, adnominal position can vary. Some languages favor pre-nominal adjectives, others post-nominal ones, and many allow both. The exact set of permissible adnominal modifiers and their ordering is an area of study in syntax and morphology, reflecting the interaction of grammar, semantics, and discourse.

Related concepts include attributive adjectives, postnominal adjectives, predicative adjectives, and noun modifiers.