All About Specifiers
                     ALL ABOUT SPECIFIERS
WHAT IS SPECIFIER
 Specifiers are short, frequently occurring 
functions words. They combine with heads to 
form phrases and clauses.
 The classic specifier is the determiner.
Source: Google
PROPERTY 1:
 Specifier combines with a head noun to form 
a noun phrase.
 Example: the vehicle 
an objection 
some people
Source: Google
PROPERTY 2:
 It seems clear that the specifier—either the 
determiner “the” or the infinitive marker “to”—
determines the grammatical type of the 
expression.
 Example: 
 The drink; to drink 
 The kill; to kill 
 The splash; to splash
 Thus, the specifier “the” picks out an objective 
sense of “dance” and “drink” in forming a 
noun phrase, whereas the specifier “to” picks 
out an action sense of these words in forming 
an infinitive phrase.
PROPERTY 3
 In the case that verbs expressing an 
instantaneous action are more easily 
objectified and used after a specifier.
 Example: 
 The injured were taken to hospital 
 The sad are in need of cheering up
Source: Google
PROPERTY 4
 Some words are inherently specified and 
function to combine the head and specifier 
roles—obviating the need for a separate 
specifier.
 Example:
 I believe (that) he likes you.
PROPERTY 5
 Specifier combines with a head noun to form 
a noun phrase.
 Example: 
 quite remarkable
 very fond of animals
PROPERTY 6
 The optionality of specifiers is 
less rampant than is assumed 
under some analyses. 
 Example: In some cases, “red” 
in “the red book”, is assumed to Source: Google
have the status of an adjective 
phrase with the optional 
specifier not appearing.
PROPERTY 7
 Specifier combines with a head preposition to 
form a noun phrase.
 Example: just across the street
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