Adjectives serve as single-word modifiers of nouns. They may occur before or after the noun. This modification is made clear not only by the juxtaposition of the adjective and noun, but also by the linking of the two words using the linker na / -ng. The linker -ng is attached to the first word if it ends in a vowel, or the linker -g is attached if it ends in -n. The linker na occurs when the word before it ends in a consonant.

Phrases may be used to modify nouns. Like single-word modifiers, phrase modifiers may occur before or after the noun modified. As well, the modifier and the noun are linked by some form of the nasal linker depending on the last sound of the first word (see previous section for the rule). Locative, possessive, benefactive, and informational phrases are some of the kinds of phrases that may be used as noun modifiers.

Naka- is an adjective prefix which can be followed by nouns (limited to things or accessories that can be worn or put on) and by verb roots.

Taga-, a prefix that occurs before nouns, also occurs before verb roots to mean one whose occupation, work, or duty is the one expressed by the verb.

Verbs can be used as the basis of a modification structure after nouns.

Modification structures involving adjective and phrase modifiers can be given a complex structure analysis where the modifiers represent an embedded sentence. Verbal construction modifiers as embedded sentences are discussed in some detail in a later section.

A limited number of combinations of ma- and a base word are used to modify the verb. They function like adverbs of manner. The verbs occurring after these adjectives are in the infinitive form (i.e., uninflected for aspect).

The linker na in this construction is often dropped, but not that linker -ng.

Verbal forms may modify verbs; both the verbal modifier and the modified verb usually have the same focus. These verbal modifiers are often in the incompleted aspect form.

Modifiers of verbs may be intensified by reduplication or by the addition of adverbial intensifiers to the modifier.

Taga-, a prefix that occurs before nouns, also occurs before verb roots to mean one whose occupation, work, or duty is the one expressed by the verb.

Verbs can be used as the basis of a modification structure after nouns.

Modification structures involving adjective and phrase modifiers can be given a complex structure analysis where the modifiers represent an embedded sentence. Verbal construction modifiers as embedded sentences are discussed in some detail in a later section.