English 9 (B)

Adverbs are parts of sentences that modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. They often ask the answer "how?" Examples:

• My sister sings beautifully.
• He is a fast runner.
• My mother works very hard.
• Kim is never late for school.

Usually creating an adverb means adding an "-ly" to an adjective, such as changing "beautiful" to "beautifully."

Comparing Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns. Examples:

• A hot day.
• A happy camper.
• A silly twit.
• A big, bloody mess.

Many words have both an adjective and adverb form. Examples:

• Happy kids - Playing happily
• Smooth rock - Running smoothly
• Good night - Eating well
• Efficient workers - Working efficiently
• Casual dress - Dressing casually
• Quick meeting - Talking quickly
• Hopeful children - Waiting hopefully
• Real butter - Really hot

Comparative and Superlatives

Most adverbs and adjectives also have what are called "comparative" and "superlative" form. That sounds complicated, but you will immediately recognize them. Examples:

Simple: hot, good, exciting, careful

Comparative: hotter, better, more exciting, less careful

Superlative: hottest, best, most exciting, least careful

Simple sentence: The plate is hot.

Comparative sentence: My plate is hotter than yours.

Superlative sentence: That was the hottest plate I've ever touched.

Avoid Double Comparatives

Be sure to avoid double comparatives, which are using "more" or "most" with "-er" or "-est." Examples (all incorrect grammatically):

• Yesterday was more hotter than today.
• That was the most dirtiest shirt I ever wore.
• You are the bestest teacher.

Using Adjectives When Adverbs are Needed

Incorrect: You did a real nice job.
Correct: You did a really nice job.

Incorrect: He did good.
Correct: He did well.

Incorrect: Fuel injection helps the car run efficient.
Correct: Fuel injection helps the car run efficiently.

Incorrect: Come quick!
Correct: Come quickly!

Incorrect: Hopefully, it won't rain.
Correct: I hope that it won't rain.

Avoid Needless Adverbs

Before using adverbs, check to see if they add meaning to the sentence.

• I am really happy to see you.
• Grammar is very boring.
• You are absolutely correct.
• Her language was extremely crude.
• You are quite intelligent.

Compound Adjectives

Do not hyphenate the words when they come after the noun they modify.

Brad was well known along the boardwalk.
Brad was a well-known jerk.

His SUV was fully equipped.
He drove a fully-equipped SUV.

Brad worked full time on his tan.
Brad was a full-time chick magnet.

Misplaced Modifiers

Sources