attributives

Attributives are modifiers that attach directly to a noun within a noun phrase to attribute a property, class, or relation to that noun. They are part of the noun phrase and are distinct from predicative adjectives, which appear in the predicate of a sentence after a linking verb (for example, the apple is red).

The most common attributives in English are adjectives placed before the noun, as in a red apple, an old house, or a wooden chair. In addition to adjectives, noun modifiers known as noun adjuncts or attributive nouns function as descriptors within the noun phrase, such as data analysis or coffee cup.

Attributive adjectives and other modifiers can also appear after the noun in some languages or in specific English constructions. Such postnominal or postpositive attributives occur in phrases like attorney general or president elect, where the modifier follows the noun. The availability and form of postnominal attributives vary by language and can carry distinct stylistic or syntactic nuances.

Across languages, attributives are subject to distributional and morphosyntactic constraints. Some adjectives are restricted to attributive use, others to predicative use, and many can occur in both positions with subtle differences in meaning or emphasis. Gradeability, agreement, and word order also influence how attributives combine with nouns in a given language.

In sum, attributives are a broad class of modifiers that attaches to nouns within noun phrases to convey properties, classifications, or relationships, shaping how information about the noun is presented and interpreted.