Specifier

In the X-bar theory of linguistics , a specifier (also called a specifier ) is part of a phrase . Further components are the phrase headers and complements . Specifiers differ from complements in that they do not connect directly to the phrase head, but to an already expanded constituent; the specifier is the last addition to close the phrase. In most cases it precedes the rest of the phrase.

In front of noun phrases , for example, the following words (possibly also phrases) can be placed: der , none , some , all or Peters . Adjectives can be strengthened or weakened, for example by very , extreme or rather ; so these words can appear as specifiers in an adjective phrase .

Specifiers are so called because they further elaborate (qualify) the category of the phrase head.

Sentence examples:

• Peter likes [a lot of books]. - many determined books closer in the noun phrase
• She is [relatively tired]. - relatively defines the adjective tired more closely.