1. A method to extract lower modifiers from a word image, before performing optical character recognition (OCR), based on a plurality of tests comprising a first test, a second test and a third test, the method comprising: obtaining the word image, wherein the word image defines a height of the word image and a width of the word image; performing the first test to determine whether a vertical line spanning the height of the word image is present; performing the second test to determine whether a jump of a number of components exist in a lower portion of the word image; performing the third test to determine sparseness in the lower portion of the word image; and comparing test results from the first test, the second test and the third test to decide whether a lower modifier exists.