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2. Using Modifiers Correctly
UNIT 18
Using Modifiers Correctly
Splash Screen

3. Objectives
To identify positive, comparative, and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs 
To use positive, comparative, and superlative forms of adjectives correctly
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Lesson 1-1

4. The Three Degrees of Comparison
Most adjectives and adverbs have three degrees: the positive, or base, form; the comparative form; and the superlative form. 
The positive form of a modifier cannot be used to make a comparison. (This form appears as the entry word in a dictionary.) 
The comparative form of a modifier shows two things being compared.
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Lesson 1-2

5. The Three Degrees of Comparison (cont.)
The superlative form of a modifier shows three or more things being compared. 
POSITIVE Abby is fast. I ran slowly. 
COMPARATIVE Abby runs faster than the other runners. I ran more slowly than my friend. 
SUPERLATIVE Of the three runners, she is the fastest. I ran most slowly of all.
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Lesson 1-3

6. The Three Degrees of Comparison (cont.)
Use the following rules as a guide: 
In general, for one-syllable modifiers add er to form the comparative and est to form the superlative. 
small, smaller, smallest 
The pianist’s hands are smaller than mine. 
That is the smallest dog I have ever seen.
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Lesson 1-4

7. The Three Degrees of Comparison (cont.)
Spelling changes occur in some cases when you add er and est. 
white, whiter, whitest 
flat, flatter, flattest 
merry, merrier, merriest
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Lesson 1-5

8. The Three Degrees of Comparison (cont.)
With certain one-syllable modifiers, it may sound more natural to use more and most instead of er and est. 
brusque, more brusque, most brusque 
He is more brusque than she.
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Lesson 1-6

9. The Three Degrees of Comparison (cont.)
For most two-syllable adjectives, add er to form the comparative and est to form the superlative. 
friendly, friendlier, friendliest 
That kitten is friendlier than this one. 
The Siamese kitten is the friendliest of the three. 
If er and est sound awkward, use more and most. 
prudent, more prudent, most prudent
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Lesson 1-7

10. The Three Degrees of Comparison (cont.)
For adverbs ending in ly, always use more and most to form the comparative and superlative degrees. 
sweetly, more sweetly, most sweetly 
Of all the birds, the nightingale sings the most sweetly.
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Lesson 1-9

11. The Three Degrees of Comparison (cont.)
For modifiers of three or more syllables, always use more and most to form the comparative and superlative degrees. 
talented, more talented, most talented 
This actor is more talented than that one.
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Lesson 1-10

12. The Three Degrees of Comparison (cont.)
Less and least are used before modifiers of any number of syllables. 
Earl is less reflective than Suki. 
Mark is the least reflective person I know. 
Less and least are used before modifiers of any number of syllables.
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Lesson 1-11

13. The Three Degrees of Comparison (cont.)
Some adjectives, such as unique, perfect, final, dead, and square, cannot be compared because they describe an absolute condition. 
However, you can sometimes use more nearly and most nearly with these adjectives. 
Clara’s rug is more nearly square than Paul’s is. 
That painting is the most nearly perfect I have ever seen.
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Lesson 1-12

14. Objectives
To identify irregular forms of comparison and to use them correctly in writing 
To use irregular forms of comparisons correctly
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Lesson 2-1

15. Irregular Comparisons
A few commonly used modifiers have irregular forms. 
MODIFIERS WITH IRREGULAR FORMS OF COMPARISONS POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE good better (the) best well better (the) best bad worse (the) worst badly worse (the) worst ill worse (the) worst far (distance) farther (the) farthest far (degree, time) further (the) furthest little (amount) less (the) least many more (the) most much more (the) most
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Lesson 2-2

16. Objectives To identify double comparisons 
To avoid double comparisons in writing
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Lesson 3-1

17. Double Comparisons
Do not make a double comparison by using both er or est and more or most. 
INCORRECT Chimpanzees are more smaller than gorillas.
CORRECT Chimpanzees are smaller than gorillas. 
INCORRECT That is the most saddest song on the album.
CORRECT That is the saddest song on the album.
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Lesson 3-2

18. Double Comparisons (cont.)
INCORRECT She is the most luckiest girl in school.
CORRECT She is the luckiest girl in school.
Lesson 3-3