Evidence suggests that the processing of graspable object nouns elicits specific motor programs related to potential hand-object interactions. Notably, adjectives specifying manipulative features of these objects are integrated into this sensorimotor representation. The present experiment investigated the effect of adjectives denoting the position of the object in space on the sensorimotor representation of graspable object nouns. We used a reach-to-grasp compatibility task, in which participants had to categorize object nouns as artifact or natural, by performing either a power or precision grip matching or not the typical grip associated with the object. On each trial, the object noun was presented with a near or far adjective. While reliable grasp-compatibility effects emerged for object nouns on RTs, this was not modulated by the spatial position denoted by the adjective. Spatial adjectives appear not to be integrated into the noun sensorimotor representation, supporting the distinction between stable and variable affordances.

The study investigated the temporal dynamics of the sensorimotor integration between the noun and the adjective. Forty-two participants categorized an object noun as natural or artifact performing a precision or a power reach-to-grasp response. Responses were compatible or incompatible with the grip typically used to manipulate the object denoted by the noun presented on the screen for 250ms. After three different SOAs (0ms, 200ms, or 500ms) an adjective replaced the noun (250ms). The adjective could indicate a positive (e.g., round) or a negative (e.g., sharp) object property. Reaction times revealed that the SOAs modulated the grasp-compatibility effect (incompatible–compatible conditions). At 0ms of SOA, a standard compatibility effect emerged with positive adjectives, while negative adjectives reversed the effect. No modulatory effects were detected at 200 and 500ms. The present results provide first evidence about the temporal dynamics of sensorimotor integration process between these two classes of words.