+461.+ In analyzing a +compound complex+ sentence, we first divide it into the +independent clauses+ (simple or complex) of which it consists, and then analyze each of these as if it were a sentence by itself.
+462.+ The various kinds of +modifiers+ and +complements+ have all been studied in preceding chapters,--each in connection with the construction which it illustrates. For purposes of analysis, however, it is necessary to consider modifiers as such and complements as such.
The topics will be taken up in the following order:--(1) modifiers,--of the subject, of the predicate; (2) complements; (3) modifiers of complements; (4) modifiers of modifiers.
+463.+ +A word or group of words that changes or modifies the meaning of another word is called a modifier+ (§ 19).
{ Men | _Able_ men | Men _of ability_} can always find employment.
{ Walls | _Battlemented_ walls | Walls _with battlements_} usually enclosed mediæval cities.
{ Cottages | _English_ cottages | Cottages _in England_} are often thatched.
The boy listened { _eagerly_. | _with eagerness_.}
The bullet passed { _harmlessly_. | _without doing harm_.}
+464.+ Modifiers may be attached not only to substantives and verbs, but also to adjectives and adverbs.
All modifiers of substantives are called +adjective modifiers+; all modifiers of verbs, adjectives, and adverbs are called +adverbial modifiers+.
NOTE. The terms +adjective modifier+ and +adjective+ are not synonymous. All adjectives are adjective modifiers, but all adjective modifiers are not adjectives. Thus, in “Henry’s skates are rusty,” the possessive noun _Henry’s_ is an adjective modifier, since it limits the noun _skates_ as an adjective might do.
+465.+ A group of words used as a modifier may be either a +phrase+ or a +clause+ (§§ 40–46).
{ _Able_ men | Men _of ability_ | Men _who have ability_} can always find employment.
I spoke { _thoughtlessly_. | _without thinking_. | _before I thought_.}
+A phrase or a clause used as an adjective modifier is called an adjective phrase or clause.+
+A phrase or a clause used as an adverbial modifier is called an adverbial phrase or clause.+
Adjective and adverbial clauses are always +subordinate+, because they are used as parts of speech (§ 46).