Question about a sentence

When you "learn something the hard way" it means something bad happens and that experience makes you smarter.

I could be anything from banging your head low doorway and learning the hard way that you have to duck to not wearing your seatbelt and getting thrown from the car in an accident and ending up paralyzed for the rest of your life.

AnonymousWhat is "the hard way"? I'm thinking the noun phrase is functioning as an adverb

Its function is adjunct (a modifier in clause structure). “Adverb” is a part of speech, not a function.

Aspara GusIts function is adjunct (a modifier in clause structure).

1. Are both "adjunct" and "modifier" functions?

If so, does one take priority over the other when describing such phrases as "the hard way"?

That is, do we consider "modifier" a wrong description of "the hard way" when we can say it's an "adjunct"?

2. Are al

Anonymousnoun phrase is functioning as an adverb modifying learn but I didn't think that was supposed to happen....

Sure it can happen.

I'll learn that lesson the day after tomorrow.

CJ

CalifJimAre both "adjunct" and "modifier" functions?

Yes.

CalifJimIf so, does one take priority over the other when describing such phrases as "the hard way"?
That is, do we consider "modifier" a wrong description of "the hard way" when we can say it's an "adjunct"?

No.

CalifJimAre all modifiers a

Thanks. I hope I can remember all that.

I think I'm still missing a piece, though.

Adjunct type 1. Modifier

CalifJimModifier type 2. ??? (not "Complement", surely?)

Definitely not “complement”.

Other types of modifier that come to mind are are attributive (the black cat), post-head (a week full of action), and external (too stressful a job).

Aspara GusOther types of modifier that come to mind

Lovely. I'm going to have to bookmark this thread. (I've never heard of an "external modifier" before.)

CJ