# extender

/ˈɛkˌstɛndɝ/ (US) · /ɛkstˈɛndɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/extender
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

a word or phrase that is added to a sentence to give more information without changing the main grammar. It makes the sentence longer and more detailed, but the sentence would still work if you removed it.

For teachers: an optional element in a phrase or clause that provides additional information but is not grammatically required for the sentence to be complete. Often takes the form of an adjective, adverb, or prepositional phrase.

## Examples

- In the phrase 'very big house', 'very' is an extender.
- The teacher explained that adding an extender like 'in the morning' can make a simple sentence more descriptive.
- Linguistic analysis often distinguishes between core arguments required by the verb and optional extenders that provide circumstantial detail such as time, location, or manner.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in linguistics to describe modifiers that expand a phrase's meaning without altering its syntactic category.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.