Adjectives and Adverbs

What is an Adjective? An adjective is a word that modifies, or describes, a noun or a pronoun. The noisy crowd cheered for Darla. Adjective describes

Adjectives answer the questions what kind, which one, how many, and how much. What kind?Fast ridersCrowded lanesSteamy afternoon Which one or ones?First lapInner lanesFinal race How many or how much? Five teamsMany fansMore applause

Indefinite Articles A and an are forms of the indefinite article. The indefinite article is used before a noun that names a nonspecific person, place, thing, or idea. A sudden turn can cause an accident.

Definite Articles A definite article refers to a particular person, place, thing, or idea. The competition continued through the afternoon.

Forming Adjectives Many adjectives are formed from common nouns. NounAdjective StormStormy ChildChildish MusicMusical BeautyBeautiful

Predicate Adjectives A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the verb’s subject. The linking verb connects the predicate adjective with the subject. The airplanes were strange. Subject Linking Verb Describes Predicate Adjective

Demonstrative Pronouns This, that, these, and those are demonstrative pronouns that can be used as adjectives. This phone has a dial. That phone has a keypad. modifies

Possessive Pronouns My, our, your, her, his, its, and their are possessive pronouns that are used as adjectives. Your phone is lighter. My phone has better reception. modifies

Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite pronouns such as all, each, both, few, most, and some can be used as adjectives. Originally, few people believed in the idea of the telephone. modifies

What is an Adverb? An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Historians strongly believe that the Chinese invented rockets. Ancient Chinese warriors fired very powerful rockets. Today, rockets almost always power missiles and spacecraft. modifies Verbmodifies Adj. modifies Adverb

Adverbs answer the questions how, when, where, and to what extent. Adverbs How?Patiently, loudly, carefully When?Sometimes, daily, always Where?Inside, there, everywhere To what extent?Extremely, nearly, almost

Intensifiers Intensifiers are adverbs that modify adjectives or other adverbs. They are usually placed directly before the words they modify. Intensifiers usually answer the question to what extent. We covered our ears very quickly modifies AlmostExtremelyQuiteSoUsually EspeciallyNearlyReallyToovery

Forming Adverbs Many adverbs are formed by adding the suffix –ly to adjectives. AdjectiveAdverb SuddenSuddenly TrueTruly Heavyheavily

Making Comparisons Adjectives and adverbs can be used to compare people or things. Special forms of these words are used to make comparisons. Comparative form: Use the comparative form of an adjective or adverb when you compare a person or thing with one other person or thing. The Titanic was larger than the Olympic Superlative form: Use the superlative form of an adjective or adverb when you compare someone or something with more than one thing. The Titanic was the largest ship of all.

Good and Well Good is always an adjective; it modifies a noun or a pronoun. The ice-cream sundae was a good invention. Well is usually an adverb, modifying a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. Well is an adjective when it refers to health. Ice-cream sold well. modifies AdjectiveNoun VerbAdverb

He doesn’t feel well. Modifies PronounAdjective

Real and Really Real is always an adjective; it modifies a noun or a pronoun. Medical inventions can make a real difference. Really is always an adverb; it modifies a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. A few inventions have really changed our lives. adjectiveNoun Verb Adverb

Bad and Badly Bad is always an adjective; it modifies a noun or a pronoun. A bad illness can require medicine. Badly is always an adverb; it modifies a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. I did badly on the last science quiz. adjectivenoun verbadverb

Avoiding Double Negatives A negative word is a word that implies that something does not exist or happen. Some common negative words are listed below. BarelyHardlyNeverNoneNothing Can’tHasn’tNoNo oneNowhere Don’tNeitherNobodyNotscarcely If two negative words are used where only one is needed, the result is a double negative. Avoid double negatives in your speaking and writing.

Double Negatives Incorrect: I can’t hardly believe someone created pajamas for dogs. Correct: I can hardly believe someone created pajamas for dogs. or I can’t believe someone created pajamas for dogs.