There are numerous different grammatical constructions and terminologies used in the English language. Let us look into this topic thoroughly with the help of the word “modern”.
The term “modern” is used as an adjective or a noun depending on the context, the word choice, or where it appears in a particular statement.
Let us look at this subject in more detail now utilizing some information, example phrases, and explanations.
When is “modern” an adjective?
There are numerous grammatical uses for the word “modern.” Let us examine one of them.
“Modern” is considered an adjective when it is used as a qualifier for a noun or when it comes directly before a noun.
Example: They are modern people so they will not be following any age-old ritual for their wedding.
Explanation: Since “modern” is used to describe the noun ‘people’ in this context, it can also be regarded as an adjective.
Is “modern” a descriptive adjective?
A specific subtype of an adjective may provide a better definition for the word “modern.” Let us go into further detail about that.
“Modern” is a descriptive adjective since it directly refers to or characterises the condition of the noun it is used before.
Example: This is the modern art museum I was talking about; let us go in and take a look.
Explanation: The word “modern” can be considered as an adjective since it is used as a descriptor of the noun “art museum”. It is used directly before the noun and therefore serves a descriptive quality that extends to said noun.
When is “modern” a descriptive adjective?
“Modern” is a descriptive adjective when it aids in elaborating the state or quality of the noun it is used to describe. “Modern” in its adjective form means something of the “present” or “latest” age.
For a better comprehension of this subject, let us look at a few additional instances of the descriptive adjective “modern” that have also been discussed on the side.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. That girl is modern and therefore has left all outdated cultural traditions behind her. | Despite not being placed in front of the noun, which in this particular case is ‘girl’, the term “modern” nevertheless counts as an adjective in this instance. It is regarded as a descriptive adjective so long as it is used to describe the noun in question. |
| 2. This restaurant is more modern than the previous one we visited, with its indoor décor and architecture. | In this example, the term “more modern” is not placed directly before the noun it still qualifies as a descriptive adjective as it is used in reference to describe a particular noun. In this case that noun is ‘restaurant’. Comparative form of the word “modern” has been used in this sentence which is denoted by the precedence of the word “more” before the adjective. |
| 3. We must listen to him since he has a pretty modern take on the events of the twentieth century. | In this instance, the word “modern” provides a description to the quality of the noun ‘take’, making it a descriptive adjective. |
| 4. They are the most modern couple we have ever met and they do not intend to follow any societal norms that have been set down as far as household chores are concerned. | The term “most modern” in this case has been obviously used as an adjective since it is being employed as a way of describing the noun ‘couple’. The superlative form of the word “modern” has been used in this particular statement, by virtue of addition of the term “more” before it. |
| 5. Our parents gave us a modern upbringing and we are eternally grateful to them. | Since “modern” is used to describe the noun ‘upbringing’ in this context, it can also be regarded as an adjective. Because it comes right before the noun, it also functions as the word’s descriptive counterpart. |
| 6. My grandparent’s scorn at their children and grandchildren’s modern mindsets as they are old-school in their thought process. | As it is used to describe the noun ‘mindsets’, the word “modern” can also be regarded as an adjective in this stated sentence. Given that it comes before the noun, its descriptive function extends to the noun itself. |
| 7. This classroom design is modern and classy, just the way it was supposed to be. | Even if the word “modern” is not used right before the noun in this instance, it still counts as a descriptive adjective because it is being used to characterize a specific noun, which in this case is ‘classroom design’. Adjectives do not always need to necessarily be placed just before nouns to be regarded as adjectives. |
Is “modern” a noun?
There may be yet another grammatical use for the word “modern.” Let us look more closely.
The word “modern” is regarded as a noun in relatively few instances and in some settings, and has a distinct meaning from its other grammatical counterparts.
Example: My mother is a modern in her opinions and cannot be swayed away.
Explanation: In the above example the said term “modern” is used as the object of the sentence. As established the term “modern” as a noun means someone or something that possesses an opinion, mindset, or attitude of present times.
When is “modern” a noun?
“Modern” is considered a noun when employed as an object or subject of a sentence, as most nouns are. “Modern” as a noun refers to a movement or people that were a part of a certain movement or ideology.
To better grasp this subject, let us examine some additional instances of “modern” being used as a noun that have also been discussed on the side.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. The entire university group consists of moderns and often have lively debates and discussions with each other. | The term “moderns” over here is used as a label that refers to a group of people, thus making it a noun. It points to a certain straying away from older cultural traditions of sorts. |
| 2. The moderns started the ‘modernism’ movement in the twentieth century. | Here, the word “moderns” is employed as a collective noun to describe a group of people. It suggests a kind of drifting away from more ancient cultural norms. |
| 3. He is a modern in his beliefs and therefore will be open minded to all our ideas. | The word “modern” is utilised as the sentence’s object in the example provided. As already stated, the noun “modern” refers to someone or something who holds a viewpoint, frame of mind, or attitude that is representative of the present. |
| 4. My granduncle was a modern as far his ideas were concerned and that was a huge deal considering the generation he hailed from. | In the example given, the word “modern” is used as the sentence’s object. As previously said, the term “modern” designates someone or anything that represents the present with their point of view, way of thinking, or attitude. |
| 5. We are all moderns in some way or the other in this day and age | In this case, a group of persons is referred to as “moderns” in a collective noun sense. Once again, it implies a departure from more traditional cultural standards. |
Conclusion
It can be inferred from this that a word like “modern” can have a wide range of flexible usages in a couple grammatical forms, and that its meaning as a word (in some cases) may even change.
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