Modifiers

Modifier A word that limits the meaning of another word

Modifiers Adjective Limits the meaning of a N or PRO strong wind loud voice original record

Modifiers Adverb Limits the meaning of a V, ADJ, or ADV drives carefully extremely important suddenly stopped suddenly stopped

Use of Modifiers w/ Verbs 1) Use an ADJ to modify the subject of a linking verb.  The new air conditioning unit is efficient.  The principal’s comments were candid.

Use of Modifiers w/ Verbs 2) Use an ADV to modify an action verb.  The new air conditioning unit operates efficiently.  The principal expressed his comments candidly.

Six Troublesome Modifiers Bad vs. Badly  Bad is an ADJ- The team was bad.  Badly is an ADV- The team performed badly.  Always use the expression “feel bad”  I am feeling bad today.  I felt bad today.

Six Troublesome Modifiers Good vs. Well  Good is an ADJ- He is a good piano player.  Well is an ADV- The orchestra played well. ‘I am good’- happy or pleased (mental) ‘I am well’- to feel healthy (physical)

Six Troublesome Modifiers Slow vs. Slowly  Slow is an ADJ-   The (slow, slowly) turtle barely moves.  Slowly is an ADV-   Turtles move very (slow, slowly).

Comparison of Modifiers   The change in the form of an ADJ or ADV to show increasing or decreasing degrees in the quality the modifier expresses.   Three degrees of comparison: 1. Positive 2. Comparative 3. Superlative

Comparison of Modifiers- ADJ PositiveComparativeSuperlative NeatNeaterNeatest Careful More Careful Most Careful Optimistic Less optimistic Least optimistic GoodBetterBest

Comparison of Modifiers- ADV PositiveComparativeSuperlative SoonSoonerSoonest Calmly More Calmly Most Calmly Commonly Less Commonly Least Commonly WellBetterBest

Regular Comparison   Most one-syllable modifiers form the comparative and superlative degrees by adding -er and -est PositiveComparativeSuperlative SoftSofterSoftest CleanCleanerCleanest

Regular Comparison   Some two-syllable modifiers form the comparative and superlative degrees by adding -er and -est. Others form the comparative and superlative degrees by adding more and most PositiveComparativeSuperlative SimpleSimplerSimplest FunnyFunnierFunniest Cautious More Cautious Most Cautious

Regular Comparison   Modifiers of more than two-syllables form the comparative and superlative degrees by using more and most PositiveComparativeSuperlative Efficient More Efficient Most Efficient Punctual More Punctual Most Punctual Frequently More Frequently Most Frequently

Regular Comparison   To show a decrease in the qualities they express, all modifiers form the comparative and superlative degrees by using less and least PositiveComparativeSuperlative Proud Less proud Least proud Patiently Less Patiently Least Patiently

Irregular Comparison   Irregular Comparison: Some modifiers do not follow the regular methods of forming the comparative and superlative degrees. PositiveComparativeSuperlative BadWorseWorst GoodBetterBest WellBetterBest LittleLessLeast ManyMoreMost MuchMoreMost

Comparative & Superlative (in context)   Use the comparative degree when comparing two (2) things. Use the superlative degree when comparing more than two   After reading both stories, I can understand why one is (more/most) widely praised.   Of the four Shakespearean plays we read, ‘Hamlet’ was the (more/most) moving.

Comparative & Superlative (in context)   Include the word other or else when comparing one member of a group with the rest of the group.   Incorrect - Anita has hit more home runs than any member of the team.   Correct- Anita has hit more home runs than any other member of the team.

Avoid Double Comparisons   This week’s program is more funnier than last week’s.   The most farthest you can go is San Francisco,