Adjectives, Articles, and Adverbs

examples of indefinite article

a / an

3 types of articles

1. Definite articles 2. Indefinite articles 3. Zero articles

3 Forms of Adjectives

1. The base form 2. Comparatives 3. Superlatives

3 Forms of Adverbs

1. The base form 2. Comparatives 3. Superlatives

adjective

A word that describes a noun / modifies a noun or a pronoun Adjectives are descriptive words that modify nouns. professional English teacher (adjective) exceptional benefits (adjective) cultural experience (adjective) Sometimes adjectives follow a describing verb, or copula, as in the following sentences: This baby is cute. (adjective) This flower is beautiful. (adjective) The dress is colorful. (adjective)

adverb

A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb Common adverbs of frequency include always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, rarely, and never. Adverbs are descriptive words that we use to modify other words —verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs— a clause, or the sentence as a whole. consequently, the demand for (adverb) pay well (adverb) These can take the form of comparative adverbs. earn money more quickly (adverb - comparative) They can also take the form of superlative adverbs. ITA can most certainly train you (adverb - superlative)

Select all of the answers that demonstrate the use of zero articles. Select one or more: a. to reference nouns in general: Cats are quieter than dogs. b. before expressions of quantities and fractions: He ate a third of the pizza. c. to make generalizations: Verbs are always challenging.

The correct answers are a and c. Explanation: Answers a. and c. show the need for zero articles. When referencing nouns in general, we do not commonly use articles (often represented with a Ø symbol). Answer b. shows the use of the indefinite and definite articles "a" and "the."

zero article

When a noun is used without 'the', 'a' or 'an' / Ø = no article Restaurants are expensive. (zero article)

articles

a, an, the English language has both indefinite (a/an) and one definite (the) articles. Articles are a subcategory of adjectives that modify and give information about nouns. Articles (sometimes called determiners) are a subcategory of adjectives that modify and give information about nouns. - Articles are a subcategory of adjectives that modify and give information about nouns. Definite articles refer to specific nouns. the demand (article - definite) - Indefinite articles refer to nonspecific nouns. a college degree (article - indefinite) a professional English teacher (article - indefinite) - Zero articles (or lack of article) are used with generalized nouns. Asia (zero article) cultural experience (zero article)

Which example shows a comparative adverb? Select one: a. She studies harder than her classmates. b. She studies the hardest. c. She hardly studies at all.

a. She studies harder than her classmates. Explanation: Sentence a. uses the comparative adverb "harder". A comparative adverb is used to compare two instances of another word (or words) in a sentence. Comparative adverbs are most often used to modify verbs. With some comparative adverbs, we add -er to the base adverb.

Which of the underlined adjectives is an example of a superlative adjective? The student earned the highest grade on the exam even though her grade on the last exam was lower than most of her classmates. Select one: a. highest b. last c. lower

a. highest Explanation: "Highest" is a superlative adjective. Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more items. To form a superlative of an adjective that is one syllable in length, we add -est to the adjective.

Which of the following is an example of a comparative adjective? Select one: a. more comfortable b. more quietly c. most comfortable

a. more comfortable Explanation: "More comfortable" is a comparative adjective. Comparative adjectives are used to compare two or more different nouns. For adjectives that are more than one syllable and do not end in -y, we leave the adjective unchanged and modify it with the adverb more.

Which of the underlined words is an example of an adverb? A very small child smiled at me in the checkout line. Select one: a. very b. small c. at d. checkout

a. very The correct answer is a. Explanation: "very" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "small."

Some adverbs are irregular, which means they change into irregular forms in their comparative and superlative forms. Select all the irregular adverbs. Select one or more: a. well b. badly c. definitely

a. well b. badly Explanation: Answers a. and b. are examples of irregular adverbs. Two common irregular adverbs in their base form are "well" and "badly." They change to "better" and "worse" in their comparative forms and to "best" and "worst" in their superlative forms.

Select the situation where an indefinite article should be used. Select one: a. with non-specific objects: Does anyone have __ pen I can borrow? b. with specific objects: I love __ new house that we bought. c. before superlatives: Mrs. Smith was __ best teacher I ever had.

a. with non-specific objects: Does anyone have __ pen I can borrow? Explanation: Answer a includes a non-specific object (any pen), so the indefinite article "a" is needed. Answers b. and c. both require the use of the definite article "the."

superlative adjective

an adjective used to compare three or more items; example: This is the HOTTEST day of the year. the highest in history (superlative adjective) - To form a superlative of an adjective that is one syllable in length, we add -est to the adjective. We modify comparatives with the definite article the. My baby is the cutest baby in the world. (adjective - superlative) What's the fastest way to get there? (adjective - superlative) - For adjectives that are more than one syllable and end in -y, we change the -y to -i and add -est. I am the happiest I have ever been. (adjective - superlative) - For adjectives that are more than one syllable and do not end in -y, we leave the adjective unchanged and modify it with the adverb most. My office is the most comfortable room in the house. (adjective - superlative) - Finally, some common superlative adjectives are irregular. Babe Ruth was the best hitter ever. (adjective - superlative form of good) That was the worst movie I've ever seen. (adjective - superlative form of bad)

Comparative adjective

an adjective used to compare two items; example: Today is HOTTER than yesterday. you might be more comfortable (comparative adjective) - To form a comparative of an adjective that is one syllable in length, we add -er to the adjective. We use comparatives with the preposition than. My baby is cuter than yours. (adjective - comparative) - For adjectives that are more than one syllable and end in -y, we change the -y to -i and add -er. I am happier now than I was a year ago. (adjective - comparative) For me, math is easier than social studies. (adjective - comparative) - For adjectives that are more than one syllable and do not end in -y, we leave the adjective unchanged and modify it with the adverb more. My office is more comfortable than my bedroom. (adjective - comparative) Nothing is more beautiful than a flower. (adjective - comparative)

Which answer shows adverbs of frequency? Select one: a. quietly, carefully, easily b. rarely, never, always c. most certainly, the best, the hardest

b. rarely, never, always Explanation: Answer b. shows adverbs of frequency. These adverbs modify verbs and show how frequently an action occurs. Common adverbs of frequency include always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, rarely, and never.

Which example shows an adverb that modifies the entire sentence? Select one: a. He meticulously planned the lesson. b. The very quiet student was attentive during class. c. Fortunately, the traffic jam didn't make him late for class.

c. Fortunately, the traffic jam didn't make him late for class. Explanation: Answer c. includes the adverb "fortunately" which modifies the entire sentence. Answer a. contains the adverb "meticulously", and it modifies the verb "planned." Answer b. includes the adverb "very" and it modifies the adjective "quiet".

Which of the following sentences includes an example of the definite article? Select one: a. He is reading a magazine. b. She has been listening to jazz music for hours. c. We are studying the bilingual dictionary that we found.

c. We are studying the bilingual dictionary that we found. Explanation: Sentence c includes the definite article "the." We use the definite article "the" to modify specific or particular nouns. In this case, there is only one bilingual dictionary, so it is considered a specific or particular noun, and the article "the" is needed.

superlative adverb

compares more than two actions, adverbs such as lowest, nearest, most slowly; fastest, most seriously - To form most superlative adverbs, we leave the adverb unchanged and modify it with the additional adverb most. I run the most slowly of all my friends. (adverb - superlative) - Some superlative adverbs, however, are the same as their superlative adjective equivalent. We add -est to the base adverb and use the definite article the. This is the hardest I've ever had to work. (adverb - superlative form of hard) - Finally, some common superlative adverbs are irregular and take the same form as their irregular adjective equivalent. I work best after my morning coffee. (adverb - superlative form of well)

example of a definite article

the

comparative adverb

used to compare the actions of 2 things, adverbs such as lower, nearer, more slowly; faster, more seriously - To form most comparative adverbs, we leave the adverb unchanged and modify it with the additional adverb more. I run more slowly than I used to. (adverb - comparative) - Some comparative adverbs, however, do not change form from their comparative adjective equivalent. We add -er to the base adverb. I am working harder than ever. (adverb - comparative form of hard) - some common comparative adverbs are irregular and take the same form as their irregular adjective equivalent. I speak Spanish better than I write it. (adverb - comparative form of well)