Adjectives & Adverbs

The Brenham Writing Room

Created by D. Herring with some additions in 1/2013 by another source

Adjective vs. Adverb

An adjective describes or modifies a noun or a pronoun. Adds info about what kind, which one, or how

many Describes how things look, smell, feel, taste, sound

An adverb describes or modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adds info about how, how much, when, where, or

to what extent. Often ends in –ly.

3

What are adjectives?• Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns• These words are all adjectives

ü A hot dayü A happy camper

ü A silly twit

ü A big, dirty mess (both “big” and “dirty”

modify “mess”)

ü She is creative (“creative” is a subject

complement that follows the linking verb “is”)ü A boring course (present participle used as an

adjective

Which one do I use?

It is critical to identify which word is being modified in order to determine whether to use an adjective or an adverb as the modifier.

I: She runs slow. C: She runs slowly.

I: He is real tall. C: He is really tall.

5

So what are adverbs?• Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives and

other adverbs• Many adverbs end with ly• Many adverbs answer the question

“How?”• These are adverbs

ü Eating quickly (modifying a verb)ü Trying very hard (modifying an adverb)ü A really big show (modifying an adjective)

6

Recognizing Adjectives & Adverbs

• Many words have both an adjective and adverb form

Adjective AdverbHappy 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

Adj. & Adv. With Same Form

Some adjectives and adverbs have the same form. early, far, fast, hard, high, late, often, past,

right, soon The only way to distinguish them is to identify

what they modify. Adj: The fast car drove around the curve. Adv: The car drove fast around the curve.

Comparative Form

When comparing two nouns, use the comparative form of an adjective or adverb. If adjective or adverb is one syllable, add –er

to form the comparative. I am taller than my mother. She is smarter than me.

Use this same pattern for adjectives that end in –y, but change the –y to –i before adding –er.

She is happier than he is. That show is funnier than the other one.

Comparative Form cont.

If adjective or adverb is more than one syllable, add the word more to form the comparative.

I am more impressed with your skills than he is. She is even more beautiful than she used to be.

Follow the guideline and use –er or more, but never use both!

I am more taller than my mother. That show is more funnier than the other one. She is so much more happier than she used to

be.

Superlative Form

When comparing three or more nouns, use the superlative form of an adjective or adverb. If adjective or adverb is one syllable, add –est

to form the superlative. I am the tallest person in my family . She is the smartest person in the class.

Use this same pattern for adjectives that end in –y, but change the –y to –i before adding –est.

She is the happiest person I’ve ever met. That show is the funniest sitcom on TV.

Superlative Form cont.

If adjective or adverb is more than one syllable, add the word most to form the superlative.

He is the most selfish person in our company. She is the most beautiful actress on television.

Follow the guideline and use –est or most, but never use both!

He is the most luckiest person I know. That is the most funniest show I have ever seen! She is the most happiest person I have ever met!

Fewer vs. Less

In the comparative form Use less to compare non-count nouns (nouns

that cannot be divided). They play less music and more commercials on

the radio than ever before. I have less money in my bank account than my

sister has in hers. Use fewer to compare count nouns.

There are fewer students in our class than when the semester began.

I have fewer pennies in my jar than my brother has in his.

Irregular Adjectives & Adverbs

Four common adjectives & adverbs have irregular forms: good, well, bad, badly.

Good vs. Well Good is an adjective, so use it to describe a noun or

pronoun. She has a good job.

Well is an adverb, so use it to describe a verb or an adjective.

She writes well. (Well can also be used as an adjective when it is

describing someone’s health.) I am not well today. (adjective) She does not feel well. (adverb)

Irregular Adjectives & Adverbs

Bad vs. Badly Bad is an adjective, so use it to describe a

noun or pronoun. She has a bad reputation.

Badly is an adverb, so use it to describe a verb or an adjective.

He behaved badly in school today.

Irregular Adjectives & Adverbs

Comparative and Superlative forms of the irregular adjectives and adverbs are also irregular. Good & Well have the same comparative &

superlative forms: Better (comparative)

I have a better car than she does. (adjective) I feel better today than I did yesterday. (adverb)

Best (superlative) He is the best teacher at Blinn. (adjective) I write best when I’m not under pressure. (adverb)

Irregular Adjectives & Adverbs

Bad & Badly have the same comparative & superlative forms:

Worse (comparative) She has a worse cold than I do. (adjective) She feels worse than I do. (adverb)

Worst (superlative) He had the worst grade in the class. (adjective) She feels the worst she has ever felt. (adverb)

17

Don’t use adjectives when adverbs are needed

X You did a real nice job– (an adjective can’t modify another adjective)

ü You did a really nice job– (the adverb “really” modifies “nice”)

X He did goodü He did well orü He did a good job

X Fuel injection helps the car run efficientü Fuel injection helps the car run efficiently

X Come quick!ü Come quickly!

X Hopefully, it won’t rain– (an adverb explains how something will happen

ü I hope that it won’t rain

18

Don’t use needless adverbs• Before using any of these words, check to see if

they add anything to the sentence• Really, very, absolutely, extremely, quite, actually,

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

• Context will help you decide whether to retain the underlined words

• Keep them only if they add to the meaningX Bill Gates is very rich. I hope he gives me some

money.ü Most college instructors are poor; their students are very

poor.• Note: the terms “good success” and “real good

success” have been reserved for sports broadcasters; do not use them

19

Compound Adjectives

Brad was well known along the boardwalk (no hyphen)

His SUV was fully equipped

Brad worked full time on his tan

Brad was a well-known jerk (hyphenated)

He drove a fully-equipped SUV

Brad was a full-time chick magnet

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

• Notice the difference in these examples