przydawkamodifiers

Przydawkamodifiers is a term used in linguistics to describe a class of modifiers that attach to a head noun within a noun phrase. In Polish grammar such modifiers are generally called przydawki (attributive modifiers). The label przydawkamodifiers is a descriptive way to discuss the set of elements that function as attributes of the head noun, regardless of their exact morpho-syntactic form.

These modifiers convey various kinds of information about the head noun, such as material, origin, purpose, or other properties. Examples include adjectives like in the phrases stół drewniany (wooden table), szklana butelka (glass bottle), and phrases where a noun or noun phrase serves as the attribute, for instance człowiek z Warszawy (a man from Warsaw). The realizations can be adjectives, past participles used adjectivally, or noun phrases in genitive or other cases that specify the head noun.

Syntactically, przydawkamodifiers are dependent on the head noun and typically agree in number, gender, and case where relevant. In Polish, the most common position for restrictive attributes is before the head noun, though some constructions and punctuation can present modifiers in different orders or as non-restrictive information. The distinction between restrictive and non-restrictive attributes influences how the information is interpreted, and punctuation can reflect this division in some contexts.

In linguistic research and natural language processing, studying przydawkamodifiers helps clarify noun-phrase structure, agreement, and information packaging within sentences. The concept is relevant for parsing, generation, and semantic interpretation of Polish noun phrases, as well as for cross-linguistic comparisons of attributive syntax.