View source for Qualify in grammar

In the study of [[grammar]], the verb 'to '''qualify'''' has a specific and limited technical meaning. It is used to mean the effect an [[adjective]] has on a [[noun]]. Given that nouns are the names of things, and adjectives 'describe' them, the verb '''qualify''' is chosen as a word that accounts precisely for the relationship between an adjective and a noun. The root meaning of 'to '''quali'''fy' is "to invest with a '''quali'''ty or '''quali'''ties" (''[[OED]]''). From thjis comes the special meaning in grammar, "b. Gram. Of an adj.: To express some quality belonging to (a noun)."

In traditional grammar as taught in UK schools in the first half of the twentieth century and beyond, the distinction between adjectives <u>qualifying</u> nouns and [[adverb]]s <u>[[modify]]ing</u> [[verb]]s was held to be of great importance. As ''OED'' gives one (subordinate) meaning of '''qualify''' as "Of an adv.: To modify", I cannot now find it of huge significance - unless you are writing for a pedant.

[[Category:Grammar]]
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