Using the Correct FormsOf Adjectives and Adverbs

Keep your ducks in a rowKaren S Wright

Adjectives and AdverbsAdjective- a word that limits or describes a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. It usually answers the question which? what kind? how many?Adverb- a word that describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb. It usually answers the question how? when? where? or how much?Linking Verb- a verb that shows no physical action. All “be” verbs are linking verbs: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been.

AdjectivesWhat is the job of adjectives?• Modify (change)

nouns/pronouns• Adjectives can precede a

noun (purple boots) or follow a linking verb (Her boots are purple). • Adjectives tell readers

which, what kind, how many/how much

AdjectivesAdjectives tell readers• which•what kind • how many/how much

Last summer I climbed that mountain (which).I prefer red apples (what kind).I want six oranges (how many).It was a cold, gray, and ominous day (what kind).The dawn was bright, clear, and inviting (what kind) .

Your TurnWhere are the adjectives in the following?

1. Juan painted the beautiful picture.

2. Misty tried a different approach to math.

3. The quiet picture of rural life is accurate.

4. She keeps a tidy desk.5. He tried three times to solve the

difficult problem.

AdverbsWhat is the job of the adverbs? • Adverbs modify

(change) verbs, adjectives, orother adverbs• Adverbs tell the

readers how, when, where, and why• Adverbs can be an

intensifier (She is very beautiful).

AdverbAdverbs tell the readers how, when, where, and to what extent. Adverbs often end in –ly.1. He quickly jumped the puddle (how did

he jump). 2. Yesterday my friends ate lunch with me

(when did they eat with me).3. Our summerhouse is nearby (where is

the summerhouse).4. She very quickly took control (to what

extent did she take control of the game) of the game.

Your Turn

1. She ran around the track comfortably (how).

2. They always arrive a half hour late (when).

3. Paul goes to the movie frequently (how often).

4. He has never lost a game (when).

5. Sometimes I just sit and daydream instead of write (to what extent).

Comparative and Superlative of Adjectives and Adverbs

Use the comparative form to compare two people, places, things, or ideas; use the superlative to compare more than two.

Comparative Superlative

Short Shorter shortest

Pretty prettiest

Simpler simplest

fast

More on ComparisonsWith longer adjectives and with adverbs ending in –ly, use more (for the comparative) and most (for the superlative).

Comparative SuperlativeIntelligent More intelligent Most intelligent

Carefully Most carefully

Less dangerously

Really??

Your Turn1. Pedro (carefully, more carefully, most

carefully) sat down in the classroom.2. Matilda applied for a scholarship, and it

became apparent that she was the (intelligent, more intelligent, most intelligent) of all the applicants

3. Hugo thought of himself as the (qualified, more qualified, most qualified) candidate for the job.

4. When then results were in, Nathan ran (fast, faster, fastest) than Ben, receiving first-place medal.

5. Susan’s new kitchen table was (pretty, prettier, prettiest) than Madge’s or Matilda’s table.

Irregular Forms of Comparisons

Comparative Superlative

Good Better Best

Bad Worse Worst

Much/many More Most

Little Less Least

Well Better Best

Badly Worse Worst

Your Turn1. This is a nice cat; in fact it is

________ than my friend’s cat.2. Emilio is six. Her bother, Herman is

nine, so is _____ than Emilio.3. You have a very interesting hobby,

but my sister Marie, has __________ in the world.

4. Skateboarding is dangerous hobby. Bungee jumping is _______ than skateboarding.

5. We live in a small house, but my grandparents live in even a _______ house than ours.

6. Yesterday, Juan told me a funny joke. It was the _____ joke I’ve ever heard.

Adjectives and Linking Verbs

Helga and Herman look content.

An adjective always follows a sense verb (linking verb)

Herman’s old car still sounds happy.

Linking verbs (sense verbs): seems, sounds, appears, feels, tastes, looks, smells, looks

Using IrregularAdjectives and Adverbs

Good and well are as tricky as a cat running a football through a football field!

ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBSAvoid common errors when using familiar words.

Good or WellGood is ALWAYS an adjective: You do not do good, but you do well. Do is a verb and well is an adverb.You smell good. Smell is a sense verb and good is an adjective, which modifies you.

Bad or BadlyBad is an adjective: Never write, I feel badly. Feel is a sense verb so the adjective follows the verb.

Your Turn1. George has a fever and doesn’t look

(good, well).2. When I got up this morning, Helga felt

(bad, badly) and had to stay home.3. The mechanic’s tools were (well, good).

The foreman said his work was (well, good) done.

4. She worked (careful, carefully) with the sick child. She was a very (careful, carefully) worker.

5. Andrea knows the material very (good, well). She always treats us (good, well).

6. He measured the floor (exact, exactly). They proved to be (perfectly, perfect) (exact, exactly) measurements).