Unit 4: English Adjectives and Adverbs
Example of an adverb modifying a verb: Stonehenge was built gradually.
Gradually describes the verb built. gradually=adverb
Comparing with adverbs: Rule 1
add -er or -est to all 1 syllable and some 2 syllable adverbs
Adverbs Modify:
verbs, adjectives, and adverbs
Examples of adjectives in sentences:
"In 1772, a Dutch explorer sighted Easter Island." (Dutch can answer "What kind of explorer?" so it is the adjective in that sentence.
Comparative Rules:
1 syllable: add -er 2+ syllables: add more or less Ends in y: change y to i and add -er
Superlative Rules:
1 syllable: add -est 2+ syllables: add more or less Ends in y: change y to i and -est
Superlative:
Compares three or more things
Comparative:
Compares two things
What is the adjective(s) in the sentence: "European ships visited this isolated spot."
European describes ships. Isolated describes spot.
Adverbs Answer:
How? When? Where? To what extent?
Linguistics Rule:
Opinion + Size + Shape + Color + Origin + Material + Purpose + Noun
Example of an adverb modifying another adverb: "Scholars study Stonehedge quite thoroughly."
Quite describes the adverb thoroughly. quite=adverb
Example of an adverb modifying an adjective: Stonehedge is made of very large stones.
Very describes the adjective large. very=adverb
Comparing with adverbs: Rule 4
When comparing which is smaller use less and least instead of more or most. Example: I am less important than you.
Adjectives Modify:
Which one? What kind? How many?
Adverb:
a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb
Adjective:
a word used to modify or describe a noun or pronoun, such as "happy," "sad," or "pretty"
What kind? examples:
bright, red, gentle, Swedish, smart
Comparing with adverbs: Rule 3
do not overlap rules 1 and 2 Example do not say more faster/most fastest
When? examples:
first, now, after, later, often, sometimes
Comparing with adverbs: Rule 2
for most 2 syllable adverbs and all 3 or more...use more or most
Where? example:
here, there, somewhere, anywhere
Comparing with adverbs: Rule 5
list of irregular adverbs: well-better-best/ badly-worse-worst/ little-less-least much-more-most/far-farther-farthest
Negative Definition:
means no or not
examples of negatives and what to change them to in double negative sentences:
neither-either nothing-anything nobody-anybody no one-anyone no-any none-any nowhere-anywhere hardly-almost never-ever
Example of a negative in a sentence: Until recently, I had never used a computer.
never is the negative
Tip for not:
not is not a verb, but it is an adverb
How? examples:
quietly, carefully, quickly
Example of a double negative: The typewriter isn't as fast as no computer.
the two negatives are: isn't and no change isn't=is change no=any
Which one? examples:
this, that, these, either
Watch out for double negatives:
two negatives in the same sentence
How many? examples:
two, several, many, every, seventh
To what extent? examples:
very, really, extremely, quite, not
Breakdown of an adverb:
well-better-best well=primary adverb better=comparative form best=superlative form
