MODIFIER RULES &PRACTICE
A. Identification:
1. If the modifier describes a noun and tells which one, what kind, how many, or whose, it is an adjective. Adjectives also usually comebefore the words they describe or after linking verbs.
2. If the modifier tells where, when, or how about the verb, it is an adverb. Adverbs may be anywhere in the sentence
.
RECOGNIZING ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS: Identify the underlined word in each sentence as
A. AdjectiveB. AdverbC. Neither adjective nor adverb
1. Terry has taken several classes in journalism..
2. The Indian rugs are quite expensive there.
3. Today I realized the truth about my relationship.
4. Everyone in the class can finish on time.
5. Tourists enjoy the lush Hawaiian scenery.
6. Suddenly Joel slipped and fell down the stairs.
7. That student seldom finishes an assignment.
8. The machinists were very careful as they reached the most difficult part of the work.
B. Comparisons:
1. Never use more and er together–don’t say more harder. Also, never use most and est together. (Only use er and est for multi-syllable words)
2. Use est and most when you are comparing three or more of something. If there are just two items being compared use more or er.
3. Choose the ly form to tell how something is done. When you encounter sure and surely, you can always find the correct answer if you substitute certain and certainly. If the answer is clearly certainly, you will select surely. Certain corresponds with sure.
SELECTING CORRECT COMPARISONS: Select the correct word in each sentence below. Some involve comparisons and some require that you choose either the adjective or adverb form.
9. Ted is the (a) faster (b) fastest runner of the three athletes.
10. That jacket is the (a) more attractive (b) most attractive of the two.
11. Is this truck the (a) easier (b) easiest to drive of the models you have tried?
12. Channel 3 has the (a) worst (b) worse sports coverage of all the local stations.
13. I am sure that this essay will be the (a) better (b) best of the two I have written.
14. That song is the (a) most mellow (b) more mellow on the album.
15. Mr. Smith glared at the class (a) angry (b) angrily when no one was prepared.
16. He remarked, “You will all (a) sure (b) surely be prepared for a test tomorrow.”
17. Mikah wants to make a (a) real (b) really good impression on the job.
18. Each of the weekends in January was (a) real (b) really cold.
19. You are (a) sure (b) surely going to win an award at the banquet next Tuesday.
20. It was the (a) more difficult (b) most difficult of the two math problems.
21. Margo is feeling (a) worse (b) worst today.
22. Kenny types the (a) most fast (b) faster ( c) fastest of any student in the class.
C. Troublesome Verbs:
1. Good describes what kind of person, place, or thing. It is an adjective.
Well is an adverb that tells how something is done, or it means healthy.
2. Bad as an emotion often means sad; for example,Sarah felt bad about her cruel comment to
her sister. It is also an adjective to tell what kind. Use badly to tell how something was done.
MASTERING TROUBLESOME MODIFIERS:Select the correct word for each sentence below.
23. The plans for the new auditorium are (a) good (b) well.
24. The band from Ireland played (a) good (b) well.
25. We need a (a) good (b) well meal to help us get our strength back.
26. Armando is looking (a) good (b) well now that he is out of the hospital.
27. This has been a very (a) bad (b) badly experience for all of us.
28. When James had to play at the recital, his nerves caused him to perform (a) bad (b) badly.
29. Our team feels (a) bad (b) badly about yesterday’s loss.
30. We hope that we perform really (a) good (b) well when we try out for the show.