ADJECTIVES

What is an adjective?

An adjective is a word that modifies/ describes a noun/ pronoun. In simple words an adjective tells us
more about a noun/ pronoun.

Examples:

Adjective + Noun Noun + Adjective

i. A green car. i. The old man had may nice things to
ii. An honest man. say.
iii. A large city. ii. She is the happiest woman I have ever
iv. The sweet apples. known.

Special Cases

Adjectives may come after a verb:

Whenever an adjective comes after a verb, it always refers to the subject and modifies it (subject).

 My car is green.
 The sky became dark.
 His story seemed interesting.
 His work is genuine.
 The examination did not seem difficult.

Kinds of Adjective

1. Adjective of Quality or Descriptive Adjective:

Adjective of quality or descriptive adjective is a word that tells about the quality of a noun.

Finding Adjective of quantity:

Adjective of quantity can be found by the question what kind of?

Examples:

1. The greasy fries made me feel sick. [What kind of fries made me feel sick?]
2. The brave soldiers stood their ground. [What kind of soldiers stood their ground?]
3. Eggplants are purple. [What color are Eggplants?]
4. I bought a genuine product. [What kind of product?]
5. She likes golden jars [What color jars?]
6. The paper was not academic. [What kind of paper?]
8. The poisonous viper was put in a glass box. [What kind of viper?] + [What kind of box?]

2. Proper Adjective:
Proper adjectives are those adjectives that are formed from proper nouns. Proper pronouns
modify particular people, places, things, languages and groups.

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 Identification of Proper Adjective:
Proper adjectives always begin with a capital letter as they modify a specific thing (noun). On the
other hand, a common adjective does not begin with a capital letter.

Examples of Proper Adjectives:

 Pakistani people are very hospitable.

 Pakistani truck art is very unique in the world.
 Handwoven Persian carpets are very expensive.
 I like Italian cuisine.

Examples of Common Adjectives:

 A tall man is standing outside the room.

 The sour grapes were difficult to eat.
 The rusted lock was difficult to open.

3. Adjective of Quantity:
An adjective of quantity is used to indicate/show an estimated amount (when exact
number/quantity/amount in not known) of a noun/pronoun in a sentence.

Usage of Adjective of Quantity:

Adjective of quantity is used with uncountable nouns.

Finding adjective of quantity:

An adjective of quantity is found by the question how much a noun is?

Examples:
NOTE: The underlined part is a noun while the bold part is the adjective

Sentences Questions
 He showed some patience. [How much patience did he show?]
 He did not eat any rice. [How much rice did he eat?]
 They have enough money to start a business. [How much money do they have?]
 I have little water left in the bottle. [How much water is left?]
 She was brilliant enough to pass the exam. [How much brilliant she was?]
 We had a little time to prepare ourselves. [How much time to prepare?]

Special Case:

Adjectives that can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
Some Any
Examples with Uncountable Nouns Examples with Uncountable Nouns
 There is some broken glass here.  Do you have any objection?
 Do you need some butter?  Do they have any assignment?
 I need some sleep.  If there is any trouble, give me a call.
 We are hearing some news about  He does not have any manners.
increase in gold price.  Have you got any pain?
Examples with Countable Nouns Examples with Countable Nouns
 There are some files for you.  I don’t have any pair of sox.
 We have bought some chairs.  Is there any flight available today?
 Some doctors are on strike.  We don’t have any other table.
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  Some cities have been affected.  Are there any waiters here?

Tip:

Differentiating between countable nouns and uncountable nouns

Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns
i. Countable nouns have singular and i. Uncountable nouns do not have plural
plural forms. forms.
ii. A noun is considered countable when ii. Uncountable nouns cannot take article
its singular form takes article a or an. a or an.

4. Adjective of Numbers:
Adjectives of numbers are also known as numeral adjectives. These adjectives give information
about number or order of a noun.

Usage of Adjectives of Numbers:

Adjectives of are used with countable nouns.

Finding Adjectives of Numbers?

Adjective of numbers can be found by the question how many?

Kinds of Adjectives of Numbers:

i. Definite Numeral Adjective: Tell about the exact number of nouns.

a. Cardinal Numeral Adjective. Tell how many of something/nouns

b. Ordinal Numeral Adjective. Tells about position of a something/noun in a list.

ii. Indefinite Numeral Adjective: Tell about estimated number (not exact) of nouns.

iii. Distributive Numeral Adjective: Tells us about a noun as a group.

List of Adjectives:

 Numeral Adjectives: Three, four, nine, twelfth, twenty nineth, eighty first.
 Indefinite Adjectives: Some, many, several, a few, few.
 Distributive Adjectives: Each, Every, Either, Neither.

Examples:

i. The committee has four members. [How many members?]

ii. The eleventh player is our goalkeeper. [Player in what order?]
iii. Some students of this class area absent. [How many students?]
iv. We have not seen him for several days. [How many days?]
v. Every student must take off his shoes before entering the room. [How many students?]
vi. Neither of the books is helpful to us. [How many books?]

5. Demonstrative Adjective
These adjectives point out a noun about which something is being said.

Finding demonstrative adjective?

To find a demonstrative adjective in a sentence, ask the question which noun?

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 Table of Demonstrative Adjectives and their function.

Demonstrative Adjectives
Near Distant
Singular This That
Plural These Those

Examples:
i. These shirts fit me very well.
ii. That plane is about to land.
iii. This letter is for you.
iv. Those shoes are too big for my foot.

6. Possessive Adjective
Possessive Adjective is an adjective that shows possession of a noun/who owns a noun.

Usage of Possessive Adjective

A Possessive adjective always come before a noun it modifies.

Table of Possessive Adjectives

Possessive Adjectives
Person & Number First Person Second Person Third Person
Singular My Your His Her Its
Plural Our Your Their

Examples:
i. This is my car.
ii. Their house is larger than your house.
iii. Take out your books.
iv. Have you seen our new pet?
v. That is her dress.

7. Interrogative Adjective
Interrogative adjectives are those adjectives that are used for asking a question about a noun.

Usage of Interrogatives Adjective

There adjectives are used before a noun about which a question is being asked.

List of Interrogative Adjectives

i. Whose
ii. Which
iii. What

Examples:

i. Whose books is that?

ii. Whose call you were listening to?
iii. What product did you order from there?
iv. What dish would you like to have today?
v. Which song you are listening to?
vi. Which shirt should I wear?

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8. Indefinite Adjectives
Indefinite adjectives are those adjectives that modify a noun in an unspecific/vague or unclear
manner.

Like all the other adjective, indefinite adjective is used before a noun.

Examples:
i. We are meeting some friends to night.
ii. Many people with gastric issue are coming to the hospital.
iii. Few students have submitted their form.
iv. Any person can ask a question.

9. Distributive Adjective
Distributive adjectives modify or refer to a specific thing (noun) out of the group. These adjectives
are used before noun they modify but, in some cases, they are used after a noun.

List of Distributive adjectives

i. Each
ii. Every
iii. Either
iv. Neither
v. Any
vi. None

Examples

i. Each child will get a candy.

ii. I write a small article every Monday.
iii. Neither of us could write anything.
iv. Either you be silent or should I report the matter.
v. I do not trust him either.
vi. Any person can give the answer.
vii. None of the clothes fit me.

10. Descriptive adjective

Descriptive adjective describes the quality of a noun.

Types of descriptive adjectives

There are two types of adjectives and their usage
i. Attributive adjective: These adjectives are always used before a noun.
ii. Predicative adjective: These adjectives are used after a noun and a verb

Structure of Predicative Adjective

(Subject/noun + verb + Adjective)

Examples of Predicative Adjectives

i. Andy’s sports car is Italian.

ii. His horses appear well groomed.
iii. He seems afraid of dogs.
iv. Their costume is strange.
v. The disease was wide spread.

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Examples of Attributive adjectives

i. I met my former boss.

ii. They live in a beautiful house.
iii. The old tree was chopped down.
iv. A metal box is present in the room.
v. The new shirt matches with my jacket.

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 Difference Between Adjectives and Pronouns

Difference between Demonstrative Pronoun and Demonstrative Adjective

Demonstrative Pronouns Demonstrative Adjectives

Near Distant Near Distant
Singular This That Singular This That
Plural These Those Plural These Those

Demonstrative Pronouns Demonstrative Adjectives

 Demonstrative pronouns replace a noun  Demonstrative adjectives point out/ modify
about which something is said. the noun about which something is being said.
 Demonstrative pronouns may come before or  Demonstrative adjectives come before a
after a verb. noun.
 Example  Example
i. This is broken. (chair) i. Give me that pen.
ii. These taste good. (Oranges) ii. This cloth is dirty.

Difference between Possessive Pronoun and Possessive Adjective

Possessive Pronoun Possessive Adjective

Person First Second Third Person Person First Second Third Person
& Person Person & Person Person
Number Number
Singular Mine Yours His Hers Its Singular My Your His Her Its
Plural Ours Yours Theirs Plural Our Your Their

Possessive Pronoun Possessive Adjective

 Shows ownership/relationship with the  Possessive adjective shows ownership of a
object/ noun. noun.
 It replaces a noun mentioned earlier to avoid  It is used before a noun.
repetition so It is not used before a noun.  Possessive adjective + Noun
 Noun + possessive pronoun  Examples
 Examples i. My book is on the table.
i. His boat is faster than mine. ii. I think you forgot your purse.
ii. These shoes are mine and those are yours. iii. Their dog buried its bone.
iii. John has lost his book so Adam can lend his. iv. My jacket is the one with big black
iv. The ship is theirs. buttons.

Difference between Interrogative Pronoun and Interrogative Adjective

Interrogative Pronoun Interrogative Adjective

i. Whom i. What
ii. Whose ii. Which
iii. Who iii. Whose
iv. What
v. Which

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 Interrogative Pronoun Interrogative Adjective
 Used for asking question about a noun.  Used for asking question about a noun.
 They replace a noun.  They modify a noun.
 They are followed by a verb.  They are followed by a noun/pronoun.
 Examples  Examples
i. Which is your favorite book? i. What time is the meeting?
ii. Who won the football match last night? ii. Whose house is that?
iii. Whom did you ask for help? iii. Which student will give the presentation?
iv. What is written in this document?
v. Whose is this black jacket?

Difference between Indefinite Adjective and Indefinite Pronoun

Indefinite Pronoun Indefinite Adjective

 Replaces noun without naming it.  Modify noun with in uncertain manner.
 Can be used in the beginning or at the end of  Used before a noun.
sentence.  Examples
 Examples i. We are having some cake for dessert.
i. Everyone had a great time last evening. ii. You will get the report each month.
ii. I need time to get away from everyone. iii. I don’t have any money.
iii. No one came forward with the answer. iv. Some mice have chewed the cable.
iv. He handed the file to someone. v. There are several reasons for this.

Difference between Distributive Adjective and Distributive Pronoun

Distributive Pronoun Distributive Adjective

vii. Each i. Each
viii. Every ii. Every
ix. Either iii. Either
x. Neither iv. Neither
xi. Any v. Any

Distributive Pronoun Distributive Adjective

 Consider members of a group individually.  Modify members of a group individually.
 Placed before a noun refer to each member of  Placed before a noun to modify every member
a group. of a group.
 Setting of verbs:  Setting of verbs:
a. Singular subject singular verb. a. Singular subject singular verb.
b. Plural subject singular verb. b. Plural subject singular verb.
 Examples  Examples
i. The boys were given a present each. i. Every nation is proud of its culture.
ii. Either road will lead to the station. ii. Each invertor earned huge profit.
iii. Neither team could get decisive victory. iii. Neither of them is aware of the incident.
iv. Each student will appear in the exam. iv. I do not know either of them.
v. Every speaker took his turn. v. Is there any food left for me?

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Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

1  Adjectives

Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns. They are an

essential type of word in English and occur frequently, so students
need to know how to use them correctly. For example, this simple
sentence has three adjectives in it: this, simple, and three.
Everyone knows that there are descriptive adjectives such as
red, delicious, turbulent, and soft, but there are other kinds of adjec-
tives, too. Possessive adjectives, such as my car and your car,
indicate whose car we are discussing. Demonstrative adjectives
such as this and that also help the speaker and listener know which
noun is being discussed. Numbers can also be adjectives: one idea,
six ideas. Articles (a, an, the) can also be classified as adjectives
because they describe a noun as specific or general. Quantifiers,
such as many people, can also be adjectives. Grammatically there
are many more types of adjectives than just descriptive adjectives.

3 Common ESL Errors with Adjectives

ESL Error Explanation
1. *They have a house beautiful. ESL students often place adjectives
after nouns because this is how
adjectives function in their native
languages.
2. *These trees are very talls. ESL students try to make adjectives
plural because their native
language requires adjectives to
agree in number with a noun.
3. *I think Arabic is more difficult ESL students often use more to
than English, and I think Spanish form the comparative form of all
is more easy than English. adjectives.

1
Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

2  The Grammar Answer Key

 Question 1 Recognizing an Adjective

How do you know if a word is an adjective?

Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns. Common

examples are good, nice, and easy.
There are several ways to recognize an adjective. One important
way to recognize an adjective is by its location in the phrase or
sentence, so word order is important. Adjectives generally occur in
two different locations: (1) before a noun or (2) after the verb be.

Location Examples
before a noun delicious soup, expensive shirts, green leaves
after be The soup is delicious.
The shirts were expensive.
The leaves are green.

We can also recognize an adjective by what it is doing in the

sentence. Is it describing (delicious)? Is it identifying a specific noun
(the)? Is it telling whether it is near (this book) or far (that book)
from the speaker? Here are several categories of adjectives:

descriptive delicious, expensive, green

articles a, an, the
possessive my, your, her, their
demonstrative this, that, these, those
quantifier many, much, any

We can also identify an adjective by the question it answers.

Adjectives often tell which one (This book is mine), how many
(I have six books), how much (No one received any mail today), or
what kind (Raw milk can be dangerous).
Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

1: Adjectives  3

Finally, another way to recognize some adjectives is by the end-

ing (that is, the final suffix). According to the Longman Grammar
of Spoken and Written English (Biber et al., 1999), the seven most
frequent suffixes that mark an adjective are:

1. –al (final, natural, social)

2. –ent (current, different, excellent)
3. –ive (active, passive, positive)
4. –ous/–ious (famous, obvious, serious)
5. –ate (accurate, private, separate)
6. –ful (beautiful, helpful, useful)
7. –less (endless, helpless, homeless)

In addition, a useful and common adjective suffix is –y (crazy, easy,

funny, health, hilly, juicy, trendy, windy).
However, many smaller adjectives do not have any overt endings:
cold, short, young.
Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida
Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

Types of Adjectives + Examples

Descriptive Adjective Coordinate Adjectives
Work together to modify the same noun;
Expresses a quality or attribute of a noun
separated by commas or and

Example: Will is my big brother. Example: The book was long and boring.

Cumulative Adjectives Compound Adjective

Build on each other by describing Multiple words that work as one
different qualities of a noun word to modify a noun

Example: Six sweet tiny kittens meowed for their dinner. Example: I am looking for a full-time job.

Proper Adjective Demonstrative Adjective Distributive Adjective

Refers to specific nouns and Points to which noun you’re Modifies each member
must be capitalized speaking about of a group equally

Example: Would you like this Example: Each attendee

Example: I adore Japanese food.
bicycle? received a free gift.

Indefinite Adjective Interrogative Adjective

Describes nouns or pronouns Asks a question and comes
in a non-specific way before a noun or pronoun

Example: There are some tickets left. Example: Which shirt did you choose?

Possessive Adjective Predicate Adjective Quantitative Adjective

Shows possession and comes Modifies the subject of the sentence Describes the amount
before its corresponding noun and comes after a linking verb of something

Example: Is that their Ferrari? Example: We used to be rich. Example: She has two children.
Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida
Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Adjectives are words that describe, identify, or quantify nouns and pronouns. They help specify
our writing by offering more details about nouns and pronouns.

Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things—they help describe differences between
two nouns.
Comparative Adjective Sentence Formula

Comparative adjectives are generally used in the following sentence structure:

Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object)

Example Sentence

My television + is + bigger + than + my computer.

My television is bigger than my computer.

In some cases, the sentence will end after the comparative adjective and not include the object of
comparison. This structure is possible when the context has provided enough information to
make the comparison clear.

Example Sentence

My brother is 6 feet tall, but my father is taller. (“than my brother” is implied)

Superlative Adjectives
Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more things. They help describe things on
either end of a spectrum (e.g., smallest and largest, tallest and shortest).

Superlative Adjective Sentence Formula

Superlative adjectives are generally used in the following sentence structure:

Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object)

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Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

Example Sentence

My English professor + is + the + smartest + person.

My English professor is the smartest person.

Just like comparative adjectives, the object of comparison can sometimes be left out.

Example Sentence

We took an exam in class today, and I scored the highest. (“in the class” is implied)

Creating Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Changing an adjective into its comparative or superlative form depends on the number of
syllables in the base form of the adjective (e.g., small, tall, big).

One-Syllable Adjectives
The suffix -er will be added for comparative adjectives and -est for superlative adjectives. When
the adjective has a single vowel between two consonants (consonant + single vowel +
consonant), the second consonant will be doubled.

Example of a Comparative Adjective with a Single Vowel Between Two Consonants

Adjective: hot

h (consonant) + o (single vowel) + t (second consonant)

Comparative form: hotter

h (consonant) + o (single vowel) + tt (doubled second consonant) + er (comparative suffix)

In a sentence: The temperature is hotter today than yesterday.

Adjective Comparative Superlative

fast faster fastest

cheap cheaper cheapest

fresh fresher freshest

big bigger biggest

sad sadder saddest

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Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

Two-Syllable Adjectives
For comparative adjectives, the suffix -er will be added, or it will be preceded by more. For
superlative adjectives, the suffix -est will be added, or it will be preceded by most. Occasionally,
both forms are used, but one will be more common. When in doubt, use more or most instead of
a suffix. For adjectives ending in y, the y will become an i, and the appropriate suffix will be
added.

Adjective Comparative Superlative

gentle gentler gentlest

clumsy clumsier clumsiest

happy happier happiest

anxious more anxious most anxious

polite more polite most polite

Three Syllables or More

Comparative adjectives will be preceded by more, and superlative adjectives will be preceded by
most.

Adjective Comparative Superlative

important more important most important

attractive more attractive most attractive

embarrassed more embarrassed most embarrassed

Irregular Adjectives and Exceptions

Although there are several rules for writing in English, these rules often have irregularities and
exceptions. Sometimes, the deviants follow a pattern that makes them easy to spot, but this is not
the case for comparative and superlative adjectives. Abnormal adjectives simply have to be
committed to memory.
Irregular adjectives
Adjectives are irregular when their comparative and superlative forms do not adhere to the rules
discussed in this handout. The chart below displays some examples of irregular adjectives.

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Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

Adjective Comparative Superlative

good better best

bad worse worst

little less least

much more most

far farther/further farthest/furthest

Exceptions
Adjectives are exceptions to the rules discussed in this handout when they simply do not have a
comparative or superlative form. Some examples include blind, unique, vertical, wrong, left,
intelligent, complete, perfect, etc.

Activity 1
Directions: Complete the sentences with the correct comparative or superlative adjective based
on the adjective provided in parentheses.

1. The Burj Khalifa building in Dubai is the (tall) building in the world.
2. Labradors are (big) than Chihuahuas.
3. We built rockets in physics class today. Mine flew the (high).
4. My necklace is (expensive) than my bracelet.
5. I got a C on my essay, which is (bad) than the 100% I got last time.
6. Homework is (important) than watching television.
7. Watching television makes me (happy) than doing homework.
8. To save money, I am searching for the (cheap) textbooks.
9. My grandmother’s chocolate chip cookies are the (good).
10. Driving on a dirt road is (bumpy) than driving on asphalt.

Answer Key for Activity 1

1. tallest
2. bigger
3. highest
4. more expensive
5. worse
6. more important
7. happier
8. cheapest
9. best
10. bumpier

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Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

Activity 2
Directions: Each of the following sentences has an error in the use of comparative or superlative
adjectives. Identify the error and correct it.

1. My bed is more big than my desk.

2. Usain Bolt can run fast than me.
3. You are most generous than my brother.
4. Of all our luggage, mine is the heavier.
5. Michelangelo’s David is the more realistic statue I have ever seen.
6. The weather during the summer is the most hot than during the winter.
7. Frank Ocean is the goodest musician of the decade.
8. The Earth is closest to the moon than the sun.
9. You should always turn in your work because some points are best than no points.
10. The Writing Center is the greater resource for writing help on campus!

Answer Key for Activity 2

1. My bed is bigger than my desk.
2. Usain Bolt can run faster than me.
3. You are more generous than my brother.
4. Of all our luggage, mine is the heaviest.
5. Michelangelo’s David is the most realistic statue I have ever seen.
6. The weather during the summer is hotter than during the winter.
7. Frank Ocean is the best/greatest musician of the decade.
8. The Earth is closer to the moon than the sun.
9. You should always turn in your work because some points are better than no points.
10. The Writing Center is the greatest resource for writing help on campus!

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Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives
Adjectives describe or modify nouns or pronouns. A noun is a person, place or
thing, and a pronoun takes the place of a noun. For example, she is a pronoun
for Margie. Typically, an adjective answers how many, what kind, and which
one.
 For example: Two boys are left in the spelling bee.
- Two tells how many boys; boys is the noun
 Several, some, every, few, many, and a lot are also adjectives that express
how many.
 Furthermore, adjectives can describe nouns: Lydia’s blue eyes sparkle
like sapphires when she smiles.
- Blue illustrates what color of eyes she has, thus describing the noun
eyes.
- The adjective Blue can also come after the noun it is modifying. For
example, Lydia’s eyes are blue.
 In addition, adjectives demonstrate which one by using the words this,
that, these and those. For instance: This teacher is less demanding than
that one. Or, I want to buy these books.
 This, that, these and those also can be used as pronouns, depending on
how the word is used in a sentence. For example: That is my favorite
show. And, These are mine.
 Moreover, adjectives modify pronouns: This is hot. Or, He is handsome.
 Adjectives also can be identified by their endings: ous, ful, ish, and able.
For example, the words beautiful, joyous, childish, and adorable are all
adjectives.
Adjectives: -ed or -ing? English contains numerous -ed or –ing adjective
pairs derived from verbs. To avoid mixing these up, remember that adjectives
ending in –ed are used to describe how you feel, and the –ing adjectives are
used for what it is that makes you feel that way (modified from English Grammar
Explanations ). Here are some examples:
 I feel tired. - Working on my essay gets very tiring.
 I am bored. - This grammar lesson is boring.
 I may be interested in Mythology. - Mythology seems interesting.

Adverbs
Adverbs describe or modify verbs, other adverbs, and adjectives. Verbs are the
words in the sentence that show action→ run, talk- occurrence→ shines,
dims, or existence→ am, is or feel. Most of the time, the adverb will answer

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Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

these questions: How or in what manner, when, how often, to what degree, and
where? Often, adverbs can be identified by -ly endings but not always.
 For example: Yousef quietly works on his essay.
- Quietly shows in what way Yousef works; the word quietly modifies
the verb works.
 Adverbs also answer When? For instance: Yesterday, I helped the
student with his thesis statement.
- The adverb Yesterday tells when the student was helped.
- Soon, later, now, first, later, and after also tell when.
 Words like sometimes, always, usually, seldom, often, and never are
adverbs that illustrate how often. For example: Nathan never brings his
homework to class. Or, He always brings his homework to class.
- Frequency can also be shown as adverbs this way: most of the time, in
general, and on occasion.
 Another way adverbs modify verbs is by telling to what degree. Review
the following sentences: Jack deeply loves to play basketball. Or, My
husband somewhat wants to watch the new episode of American Idol.
- Other common degree adverbs are not, very, too, slightly, thoroughly,
more, less, almost, and quite.
 In addition, adverbs tell where in a sentence as with the words here,
there, anywhere, ahead, and away. For example: I will be there in ten
minutes. Also, Jessica is going away for the summer.
- In the second example, the adverb away is telling where Jessica is
going for the summer.
Adverbs modify (or intensify) other Adjectives
 Sanjiv very carefully listened to the teacher’s lesson.
- The adverb very tells how carefully Sanjiv was listening.
 The horrors of my accident will never completely escape my mind.
- Again, the adverb never tells how completely.
 The cat is too lazy.
- Notice how the adverb too is modifying the adjective lazy, and lazy is
modifying the noun cat.
Changing an Adjective to an Adverb
Adjectives can usually be turned into an Adverb by adding –ly to the ending.
 By adding –ly to the adjective slow, you get the adverb slowly.
- The slow turtle crosses the road.
- The turtle slowly crosses the road.
 If the adjective ends in the letter -y, then change the letter -y to -i and
add –ly to form an adverb: happy→ happily

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Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

 However, some words cannot be changed; for example, if by adding -ly to

the end of an adjective, it changes the meaning of the word
- hard→hardly does not have the same meaning
- late→ lately also does not mean the same thing
Comparative Degree and Superlative Degree
The comparative degree of an adjective or adverb compares the value of two
things or people. For instance: Reading is more rewarding than watching T.V.
The superlative degree of an adjective or adverb compares the value of three or
more things or people. For example: Of all the girls, Zoe sings the loudest.

To form the comparative and superlative, add –er and –est to adjectives and
adverbs with one syllable. For example:
Comparative -er Superlative –est
Adjectives
 nice→nicer than her  nice→the nicest girl
 old→older brother  old→oldest sibling
 big→bigger dog  big→biggest dog in the yard
Adverbs
 soon→sooner  soon→arrived the soonest
 long→longer  long→jumps the longest
 fast→faster  fast→runs the fastest

Words with two or more syllables use more and most to compare adjectives and
adverbs. For example:
Comparative –more Superlative – (the) most
Adjectives
 more beautiful of the two  the most beautiful poem
 more creative than her  the most creative artist
 more lavish ring than mine  the most lavish gift
Adverbs
 more beautifully  most beautifully written
 more creatively  paints most creatively
 more lavishly  spends most lavishly
Note: Never use most or more with the comparative and superlative ending-er
or -est together. For instance, one would not say: “That girl is the most hippest
dancer in the world.” Or, Baseball is more harder to play than football.
Correction: That girl is the hippest dancer in the world. And, Football is
harder to play than baseball.

Adjectives that end in –y need to be re-formed: drop the –y and add –i before
adding –er and –est. Note the following:
silly→sillier→silliest happy→happier→happiest shy→shier→shiest

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Grammar Essentials For Creative Expression Guided By Mehvish Nida

Same Word Adverbs and Adjectives

Some Adjectives and Adverbs are the same word while others change in form
all together. For example, these adverbs and adjectives are the same word: first,
second, fast, clean, clear, early, late, low, and straight.
 Go straight home after school. –Adverb
 Draw a straight line on your paper. –Adjective
Also,
 The runner placed first in the race. –Adverb
 The first runner gets a gold medal. –Adjective
- The only way to tell them apart is to identify what is being modified, the
noun or verb.

Irregular Adjectives and Adverbs that change in form:

Much→ More→ Most
Good→ Better→ Best
Bad→ Worse→ Worst
Far→ Farther→ Farthest
Far→ Further→ Furthest
Well→ Better→ Best
Badly→ Worse→ Worst
Little→ Less→ Least

More difficult adverbs and adjectives: Good/Well, Bad/Badly, and

Real/Really. First, determine exactly what is being described: a noun, pronoun,
verb, or an adjective.

Example 1: I feel bad/badly. In this sentence, the speaker is not talking about
the physical action of feeling but is describing I, that person’s state of mind or
health; therefore, one would use the adjective bad. Remember, adjectives
describe nouns and pronouns. To use the word badly as a modifier correctly,
one would say this: I was hurt badly by the hail storm.
Example 2: Raymond didn’t do good/well on the test. Is this sentence referring
to Raymond’s performance or Raymond himself? It is talking about his
performance which is an action, so one would use the adverb well because as
mentioned earlier adverbs describe verbs. Using good as a modifier looks like
this: The perfume smells good.
Example 3: Jarid is real/really sure of his decision to be a doctor. Since sure
is an adjective, one would use the adverb really because as previously
discussed adverbs modify adjectives. An example of using real would be this:
This grammar handout is a real example of hard work.

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