Attribute is a sentence member which depends on a noun in any of its sentential

functions and which, as a rule, specifies more closely, or "determines" its

meaning. In inquiring about attributes we use such interrogative pronouns as which,
what or whose connected with the governing noun. Attribute either agrees with its
governing member or it is governed by it, or its dependency is not expressed by a
special form.
An attribute that agrees, at least in case, with the noun on which it depends, is
called agreeing attribute. If this attribute is represented by an adjective (a
pronoun or a numeral in this status) it agrees in case, number and gender. In rare
cases there occur attributes of feminine gender pertaining to masculine nouns as a
means of emotional expression, e.g., a long-eared-Fem
An attribute that does not decline in accordance with its governing noun and, as a
rule, represents a case different from that of this noun, or is expressed by an
adverb or an infinitive, is called a non-agreeing attribute.
An attribute can be expressed by a subordinate clause, introduced by a conjunction
or by a relative pronoun. An attributive clause, however, cannot be seen in such a
"pseudo-expansion" as, e.g., I saw an angel and he had a formidable shield, nor in
clauses joined by expressions such as what, at which, etc. These are interpreted as
coordination of head clauses.
A descriptive (non-restrictive) attribute is separated by commas in the sentence
(the inmates, confined in the institute, have pinched something). Such an attribute
obtains the function Atr, too (not Atr_Pa), as the case is not a parenthesis, for
which it could be taken by mistake.
Afun Atr, however, can also be used in some instances in which the case is not a
classical attribute. Thus, it can be obtained by parts of addresses or parts of the
text in foreign languages. We can use it in analyzing numerical expressions as
well. These problems are dealt with in Addresses and names of persons and
institutions, Foreign words in the text, and Expression with numerals, figures in
different functions.
Single attributes or homogeneous ones are usually placed before the noun modified,
while expanded attributes expressed by phrases usually stand in postposition to
the noun:
Your new dress is wonderful.
You behave like a schoolboy afraid of his teacher.
Attributes can be expressed by:
1) An adjective: This big girl is very lazy.
2) A pronoun (possessive, defining, demonstrative, interrogative, relative,
indefinite): I saw by their faces that they had learned something new. Every
student should know it.
3) A numeral (cardinal or ordinal): I borrowed two pounds from my brother. The
second story was very dull.
4) A noun in the common case or the genitive case: The village painter entered
the pub. Her father�s nerves would never stand the disclosure.
5) A prepositional phrase: It was an act of despair on her part.
6) An adverb in pre- or postposition to the noun modified: The after events shook
the whole town.
7) A participle or a participial phrase: She saw the lighted windows of the
cottage.
8) A gerund or a gerundial phrase joined prepositionally: She admired his way of
doing things.
9) An infinitive, an infinitive phrase or an infinitive construction in
postposition to the noun modified: He is a man to rely on. Here is a book for
you to read on train.
10) A quotation group: I hate his �don�t-talk-to-me� air.