Adverbs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Put adjectives and adverbs close to the words they modify. Notice how the meaning is affected by the improper placement.
Incorrect: An old pile of clothes is on the floor.
Correct: A pile of old clothes is on the floor.
Incorrect: I almost believe you are finished.
Correct: I believe you are almost finished.
Incorrect: The winners will only be contacted.
Correct: Only the winners will be contacted.
Incorrect: I can't quite do this as well as Fred.
Correct: I can't do this quite as well as Fred.
Correct: A pile of old clothes is on the floor.
Incorrect: I almost believe you are finished.
Correct: I believe you are almost finished.
Incorrect: The winners will only be contacted.
Correct: Only the winners will be contacted.
Incorrect: I can't quite do this as well as Fred.
Correct: I can't do this quite as well as Fred.
Sources
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6641153/Adjectives-vs-Adverbs
http://img.mappio.com/gillianmarie/adverbs-Medium.jpg?q=88713
Last modified: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 11:59 AM