Adjectives and Adverbs

A holiday by the sea is (good) than a holiday in the mountains.

A holiday by the sea is( better) than a holiday in the mountains. 'than' indicates that we have to use the comparative form irregular comparison (good-better-best)

Adjective /Adverb clear /clearly → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb attractive /attractively → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb cheap /cheaply → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb clever /cleverly → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb warm /warmly → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb close /closely → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb thirsty /thirstily → If an adjective ends in consonant + y, y becomes i.

Adjective /Adverb crazy /crazily → If an adjective ends in consonant + y, y becomes i.

Adjective /Adverb classic /classically → For adjectives ending in ic, add ally.

Adjective /Adverb forgetful /forgetfully → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb noisy /noisily → If an adjective ends in consonant + y, y becomes i.

Adjective /Adverb funny /funnily → If an adjective ends in consonant + y, y becomes i.

Adjective /Adverb large /largely → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb healthy /healthily → If an adjective ends in consonant + y, y becomes i.

Adjective /Adverb nervous /nervously → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb hourly /hourly → The adverb has the same form as the adjective.

Adjective /Adverb true /truly → Silent e is dropped in true, due and whole.

Adjective /Adverb ironic /ironically → For adjectives ending in ic, add ally.

Adjective /Adverb kind /kindly → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb nice /nicely → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb important /importantly → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb public /publicly → This is one of the few exceptions for words ending in ic where we do not add ally.

Adjective /Adverb terrible /terribly → If an adjective ends in consonant + le, drop le when adding ly.

Adjective /Adverb serious /seriously → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb exact /exactly → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb slow /slowly → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb good /well → irregular form

Adjective /Adverb slow /slowly → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb rude /rudely → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb straight /straight → The adverb has the same form as the adjective.

Adjective /Adverb thirsty /thirstily → If an adjective ends in consonant + y, y becomes i.

Adjective /Adverb systematic /systematically → For adjectives ending in ic, add ally.

Form of Adverbs

Adjective /Adverb tired /tiredly → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb easy /easily → If an adjective ends in consonant + y, y becomes i.

Adjective /Adverb wonderful /wonderfully → Normally only ly is added.

Adjective /Adverb fast /fast → The adverb has the same form as the adjective.

Adjective /Adverb yearly /yearly → The adverb has the same form as the adjective.

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives are used to modify nouns, e.g. The dog is loud. - What is the dog like? - loud Adverbs are used to modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs, e.g. The dog barks loudly. - How does the dog bark? - loudly

FORM AD COMPARISON OF ADVERBS

Adverbs are used to express how something is done (adjectives express how someone or something is). Example: The dog sleeps quietly. The dog is absolutely quiet.

Could you write (clear) ?

Could you write (more clearly) ? Adverbs ending in '-ly' are compared by using 'more/most'.

Exercise on Comparison of Adjectives (as ... as)

Fill in the comparison with as ... as.

Exercise on Comparison of Adverbs

Fill in the correct adverb form (comparative or superlative) of the adjectives in brackets.

Exercise on Comparison of Adjectives

Fill in the correct form of the words in brackets (comparative or superlative).

Comparison of Adjectives

Fill in the correct forms.

Comparison of Adverbs

Fill in the correct forms.

Exercise on the Form of Adverbs

Find the adjective in the first sentence and fill the gap with the adverb.

He had an accident last year. Now, he drives (careful) than before.

He had an accident last year. Now, he drives (more carefully) than before. Adverbs ending in '-ly' are compared by using 'more/most'.

He was the (clever) thief of all.

He was the (cleverest) thief of all. the definite article (the) before the adjective indicates that we have to use the superlative form adjective of two syllables ending in '-er' are compared by adding '-er/-est'(i)

He worked (hard) than ever before.

He worked (harder) than ever before. Adverbs that have the same form as adjectives are compared by adding'-er/-est'. The adverb 'hardly' does exist, but has a different meaning.

I (not / earn / much / money) you do.

I (do not earn as much money as) you do. Note:If we need an auxiliary verb (do), place 'not' directly after the auxiliary. Then the main verb (earn) and after that the comparison.

I can do (many / press-ups) you.

I can do (as many press-ups as) you.. Note: as + much/many + noun + as

I speak English (fluent) more fluently now than last year.

I speak English (more fluently) now than last year. Adverbs ending in '-ly' are compared by using 'more/most'.(i)

It is strange but often a coke is (expensive) than a beer.

It is strange but often a coke is (more expensive) than a beer. 'than' indicates that we have to use the comparative form adjectives of three or more syllables are compared by using 'more/most'

Janet is (beautiful) Jeniffer.

Janet is (as beautiful as) Jeniffer.

Jim can run (fast) than John.

Jim can run (faster) than John. Adverbs that have the same form as adjectives are compared by adding'-er/-est'.

John is (tall) as tall as Glen.

John is (as tall as) Glen.

Matrix II was (not / interesting) Matrix I.

Matrix II was (not as interesting as) Matrix I.

My house is (big) bigge than yours.

My house is (bigger) than yours. 'than' indicates that we have to use the comparative form one-syllable adjectives are compared by adding '-er/-est', note: after a short vowel (i), the final consonant (g) is doubled

My mom is (not / strict) your mum.

My mom is (not as strict as) your mum.

Non-smokers usually live (long) than smokers.

Non-smokers usually live (longer) than smokers. 'than' indicates that we have to use the comparative formone-syllable adjectives are compared by adding '-er/-est'

Her English is fluent. She speaks English (fluently).

Our mum was angry. She spoke to us (angrily) . When adding '-ly', 'y' becomes 'i'.

Our team played (bad) of all.

Our team played (worst) of all. irregular comparison:'worse', 'worst'

Planes can fly (high) than birds.

Planes can fly (higher) than birds. Adverbs that have the same form as adjectives are compared by adding'-er/-est'.

Comparison of Adjectives

Positive Form

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative terribly . /more terribly / most terribly → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative angrily /more angrily /most angrily → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative funnily /more funnily / most funnily → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative athletically /more athletically/most athletically → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative thirstily /more thirstily/ most thirstily → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative beautifully . /more beautifully/ most beautifully → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative happily. /more happily/ most happily → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative busily /more busily / most busily → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative heavily /more heavily / most heavily → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative closely . /more closely / most closely → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative cheaply /more cheaply. / most cheaply → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative easily /more easily / most easily → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative well /better / best → irregular comparison

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative heavily /more heavily / most heavily → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative wonderfully . /more wonderfully/ most wonderfully → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative kindly /more kindly / most kindly → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative tiredly /more tiredly / most tiredly → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative loudly /more loudly / most loudly → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative carefully /more carefully / most carefully → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative seriously /more seriously/ most seriously → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative badly /worse / worst → irregular comparison

Positive Form / Comparative /Superlative strongly /more strongly/ most strongly → Adverbs ending in -ly are compared with more/most.

She greeted me (polite) of all.

She greeted me (most politely) of all. Adverbs ending in '-ly' are compared by using 'more/most'.

She smiled (happy) than before.

She smiled (more happily) than before. Adverbs ending in '-ly' are compared by using 'more/most'. Note: 'y' becomes 'i'(i)

Joanne is happy. She smiles (happily) . When adding '-ly', 'y' becomes 'i'.

The boy is loud. He shouts (loudly).

My neighbour is a careless driver. He drives (carelessly).

The painter is awful. He paints (awfully).

The weather this summer is even (bad) than last summer.

The weather this summer is even (worse) than last summer. 'than' indicates that we have to use the comparative form irregular comparison (bad-worse-worst)

She is a good dancer. She dances really (well) . The adverb of 'good' is 'well'

This exercise is simple. You (simply) have to put one word in each space. simply'-le' becomes '-ly'.

This flower is (beautiful) than that one.

This flower is (more beautiful) than that one. 'than' indicates that we have to use the comparative form adjectives of three or more syllables are compared by using 'more/most'

This girl dances (graceful) of all.

This girl dances (most gracefully) of all. Adverbs ending in '-ly' are compared by using 'more/most'.

Jim is a wonderful piano player. He plays the piano wonderfully).

This girl is very quiet. She often sneaks out of the house (quietly).

This is the (interesting) book I have ever read.

This is the (most interesting) book I have ever read. the definite article (the) before the adjective indicates that we have to use the superlative form adjectives of three or more syllables are compared by using 'more/most'

This yoghurt (not / taste / good) the one I bought yesterday.

This yoghurt (does not taste as good as) the one I bought yesterday. Note:If we need an auxiliary verb (do), place 'not' directly after the auxiliary. Then the main verb (taste) and after that the comparison.

We can run (fast) they can.

We can run (as fast as) they can.

Which is the (dangerous) animal in the world?

Which is the (most dangerous) animal in the world? the definite article (the) before the adjective indicates that we have to use the superlative form adjectives of three or more syllables are compared by using 'more/most'

Who is the (rich) woman on earth?

Who is the (richest) woman on earth? the definite article (the) before the adjective indicates that we have to use the superlative form one-syllable adjectives are compared by adding '-er/-est'

You are (crazy) my sister.

You are (as crazy as) my sister.

Your mobile phone is (not / trendy) mine.

Your mobile phone is (not as trendy as) mine.

Exceptions The following adjectives are also used as adverbs (without modification): daily, enough, early, far, fast, hourly, little, long, low, monthly, much, straight, weekly, yearly, ...

adjective /adverb (meaning) /adverb (meaning) good /well / difficult /with difficulty / public /publicly / deep /deep (place) / deeply (feeling) direct /direct /directly (=soon) hard /hard /hardly (=seldom) high /high (place) /highly (figurative) late /late /lately (=recently) most /most /mostly (=usually) near /near /nearly (=almost) pretty /pretty (=rather) /prettily short /short /shortly (=soon)

Adjectives ending in -ic: adjective + -ally (exception: public-publicly)

adjective adverb fantastic fantastically

Adjectives ending in -ly: use 'in a ... way / manner' or another adverb with similar meaning

adjective adverb friendly in a friendly way in a friendly manner likely probably

Comparison (more / most)

adverbs ending in -ly (happily) Comparative formed with more more happily Superlative formed with most most happily

early /earlier /earliest → Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y/-er are compared with -er/-est (y becomes i).

angry /angrier /angriest → Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y/-er are compared with -er/-est (y becomes i).

afraid /more afraid /most afraid → Two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er are compared with more/most.

crazy /crazier /craziest → Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y/-er are compared with -er/-est (y becomes i).

early /earlier /earliest → Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y/-er are compared with -er/-est (y becomes i).

difficult /more difficult /most difficult → Adjectives of three or more syllables are compared with more/most.

Exceptions in spelling

exception example silent e is dropped in true, due, whole true → truly y becomes i happy → happily le after a consonant is dropped sensible → sensibly after ll only add y full → fully

terrible /more terrible /most terrible → Adjectives of three or more syllables are compared with more/most.

fat /fatter /fattest → After a short stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled when adding -er/-est.

Positive Form /Comparative /Superlative

good /better /best → irregular comparison

interesting /more interesting /most interesting → Adjectives of three or more syllables are compared with more/most.

high /higher /highest → One-syllable adjectives are compared with -er/-est.

pretty /prettier /prettiest → Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y/-er are compared with -er/-est (y becomes i).

hot /hotter /hottest → After a short stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled when adding -er/-est.

dark /darker /darkest → One-syllable adjectives are compared with -er/-est.

late /later / latter /latest / last → One-syllable adjectives are compared with -er/-est.

nice /nicer /nicest → One-syllable adjectives are compared with -er/-est.

noisy /noisier /noisiest → Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y/-er are compared with -er/-est (y becomes i).

Use the positive form of the adjective if the comparison contains one of the following expressions: as ... as Example: Jane is as tall as John.

not as ... as / not so ... as Example: John is not as tall as Arnie.

near /nearer /nearest / next → One-syllable adjectives are compared with -er/-est.

often /more often /most often → Two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er are compared with more/most.

Comparison (-er/-est)

one-syllable adverbs (hard) Comparative ending in -er harder Superlative ending in -est hardest

important /more important / most important → Adjectives of three or more syllables are compared with more/most.

popular /more popular /most popular → Adjectives of three or more syllables are compared with more/most.

Irregular comparisons

positive form /comparative /superlative well /better /best badly /worse /worst ill /worse /worst little /less /least much /more /most far (place + time) /further /furthest far (place) /farther /farthest late (time) /later /latest

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (irregular comparisons)

positive form /comparative form /superlative form good / better / best bad / ill /worse /worst little (amount) /less /least little (size) /smaller /smallest much / many / more /most far (place + time) /further /furthest far (place) /farther /farthest late (time) /later /latest late (order) /latter /last near (place) /nearer /nearest near (order) /- /next old (people and things)/older /oldest old (people) /elder /eldest

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (more/most) adjectives of three or more syllables (and two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er)

positive form/ comparative form/ superlative form difficult / more difficult/ most difficult

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (-er/-est) one-syllable adjectives (clean, new, cheap) two-syllable adjectives ending in -y or -er (easy, happy, pretty, dirty, clever)

positive form/comparative form/ superlative form clean / cleaner / (the) cleanest

Exceptions in spelling when adding -er / -est

silent 'e' is dropped Example: late-later-latest final 'y' after a consonant becomes i Example: easy-easier-easiest final consonant after short, stressed vowel is doubled Example: hot-hotter-hottest

harmful /more harmful /most harmful → Two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er are compared with more/most.

windy /windier /windiest → Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y/-er are compared with -er/-est (y becomes i).