1. U SING M ODIFIERS

2. M ODIFIER A modifier is a word, a phrase or a clause that describes or limits the meaning of another word. Two kinds of modifiers- adjectives and adverbs- may be used to compare things. The three degrees of comparison of modifiers are positive, comparative, superlative.

3. The three degrees of comparison of modifiers are positive, comparative, and superlative To show decreasing comparisons we use the words less and least PositiveComparativeSuperlative ColdColderColdest PolitelyMore politelyMost politely PositiveComparativeSuperlative CalmLess calmLeast calm RapidlyLess rapidlyLeast rapidly

4. R EGUALR C OMPARISON Most one-syllable modifiers form their comparative and superlative degrees by adding er and est PositiveComparativeSuperlative SharpSharperSharpest CalmCalmerCalmest ColdColderColdest

5. R EGULAR C OMPARISON Some two-syllable modifires form their comparitive by adding er and est. Others use more and most. PositiveComparativeSuperlative QuicklyMore quicklyMost quickly SimpleSimplerSimplest SuddenMore suddenMost sudden

6. R EGULAR C OMPARISON Modifiers with three or more syllables use more and most to form their comparative and superlative degrees. PositiveComparativeSuperlative CuriousMore curiousMost curious HappilyMore happilyMost happily QuietlyMore QuietlyMost Quietly

7. I RREGULAR C OMPARISON Positive Comparative Superlative BadWorseWorst FarFartherFarthest Good/wellBetterBest Many/ muchMoreMost LittleLittlerLittlest

8. U SES OF C OMPARATIVE AND S UPERLATIVE FORMS. Use the comparative degree when we are comparing two things. Susie is taller than Bill. The girls work more quietly than the boys. We use the word “than” after the comparative Use the superlative to compare when comparing more than two things. Susie is the tallest kid in the class. Of all my students, Jane works the most quietly. We use the word “the” before the superlative

9. U SES OF C OMPARATIVE AND S UPERLATIVE FORMS. We use good to modify a noun or a pronoun. We use well to modify a verb. I have good grades. I work well with others. We use adjectives after linking verbs. The teacher seemed nice. The students were wonderful. Do not use double comparisons. This city is safer than Chicago. (yes) This city is more safer than Chicago. (no)

10. U SES OF C OMPARATIVE AND S UPERLATIVE FORMS. Do not use double negatives. A double negative is the use of two negative words to express one negative idea. She hasn´t never liked cats. (incorrect) Common negative words: Barely Hardly Neither Never No no one Nobody None Not Nothing Nowhere Scarcely

11. QUICK REVIEW: CORRECT THE MISTAKES With each step forward, the cats crouched more lower. The yellow cat was the largest of the two and the most frightening. The black cat, however, was the better hunter in the whole neighborhood. The tiny mouse left the hole and searched for a least obvious hiding place. The mouse hardly made no sound at all.

12. P LACEMENT OF M ODIFIERS Place modifying words, phrases and clauses as close to possible as the words they modify.

13. O THER MODIFIERS – P REPOSITIONAL P HRASES A prepositonal phrase is a made up of a preposition, a noun or a pronoun (and any modifiers of that noun or pronoun.) Misplaced: A cat would not be dangerous to the mice with a bell. Clear: Misplaced: The mice had a meeting about the cat in fear. Clear: Misplaced: The mouse said in the morning she would go.

14. O THER M ODIFIERS - P ARTICIPIAL P HRASES A participle phrase consists of a verb in either the present participle or past participle form and its related words. Misplaced: The mice hid from the cat running fearfully.

15. O THER M ODIFIERS - D ANGLING PARTICIPIAL PHRASE A participle phrase that does not clearly modify any word in the sentence is a dangling participial phrase. To correct a dangling phrase, add a subject, verb, or both to the dangling modifier. Dangling: Worried constantly, a plan was needed. Clear:

16. O THER M ODIFIERS - C LAUSES A clause is a group of words that contains a verb and its subject and that is used as part of a sentence. An adjective clause modifies and noun or pronoun. Most begin with words like that, which, who, whom, or whose. An adverb clause modifies a verb, and adjective or another adverb. Most start with words like although, while, if or because. Misplaced: The story was written by John that we read today.