ModifiersModifiers

ModifierModifier

A word that A word that limitslimits the the

meaning of another wordmeaning of another word

ModifiersModifiers

AdjectiveAdjective

Limits the meaning of a Limits the meaning of a NN or or PROPRO

strongstrong wind wind loudloud voice voice originaloriginal record record

ModifiersModifiers

AdverbAdverb

Limits the meaning of a Limits the meaning of a VV, , ADJADJ, or , or ADVADV

drives drives carefullycarefully extremelyextremely importantimportant

suddenlysuddenly stopped stopped

Use of Modifiers w/ VerbsUse of Modifiers w/ Verbs

1) Use an 1) Use an ADJADJ to modify the subject of a to modify the subject of a linking linking verb.verb.

The new air conditioning unit The new air conditioning unit isis efficientefficient..

The principal’s comments The principal’s comments werewere candidcandid..

Use of Modifiers w/ Use of Modifiers w/ VerbsVerbs

2) 2) Use an Use an ADVADV to modify an to modify an action action verb.verb.

The new air conditioning unit The new air conditioning unit operatesoperates efficientlyefficiently..

The principal The principal expressedexpressed his comments his comments candidlycandidly..

Six Troublesome Six Troublesome ModifiersModifiers Bad vs. BadlyBad vs. Badly

BadBad is an is an ADJADJ- - The team The team waswas badbad..

BadlyBadly is an is an ADVADV- - The team The team performedperformed badlybadly..

Always use the expression “Always use the expression “feel badfeel bad””

I am I am feeling badfeeling bad today. today. I I felt badfelt bad today. today.

Six Troublesome Six Troublesome ModifiersModifiers

Good vs. WellGood vs. Well

GoodGood is an is an ADJADJ- - He He isis a a goodgood piano player. piano player.

Well Well is an is an ADVADV- - The orchestra The orchestra playedplayed wellwell..

‘‘I am good’-I am good’- happy or pleased happy or pleased ((mentalmental))

‘‘I am well’-I am well’- to feel healthy to feel healthy ((physicalphysical))

Six Troublesome Six Troublesome ModifiersModifiers

Slow vs. SlowlySlow vs. Slowly

SlowSlow is an is an ADJADJ- -

The (slow, slowly) turtle barely moves.

SlowlySlowly is an is an ADVADV- -

Turtles move very (slow, slowly).

Comparison of ModifiersComparison of Modifiers

The change in the form of an ADJ or ADV to show increasing or decreasing degrees in the quality the modifier expresses.

Three degrees of comparison:1. Positive

2. Comparative

3. Superlative

Comparison of Modifiers- ADJComparison of Modifiers- ADJ

PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

NeatNeat NeaterNeater NeatestNeatest

CarefulCareful More CarefulMore Careful Most CarefulMost Careful

OptimisticOptimistic Less optimisticLess optimistic Least optimisticLeast optimistic

GoodGood BetterBetter BestBest

Comparison of Modifiers- Comparison of Modifiers- ADVADV

PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

SoonSoon SoonerSooner SoonestSoonest

CalmlyCalmly More CalmlyMore Calmly Most CalmlyMost Calmly

CommonlyCommonly Less CommonlyLess Commonly Least CommonlyLeast Commonly

WellWell BetterBetter BestBest

Regular ComparisonRegular Comparison

Most one-syllable modifiers form the comparative and superlative degrees by adding -er and -est

PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

SoftSoft SofterSofter SoftestSoftest

CleanClean CleanerCleaner CleanestCleanest

Regular ComparisonRegular Comparison Some two-syllable modifiers form the comparative

and superlative degrees by adding -er and -est. Others form the comparative and superlative degrees by adding more and most

PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

SimpleSimple SimplerSimpler SimplestSimplest

FunnyFunny FunnierFunnier FunniestFunniest

CautiousCautious More CautiousMore Cautious Most CautiousMost Cautious

Regular ComparisonRegular Comparison Modifiers of more than two-syllables form the

comparative and superlative degrees by using more and most

PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

EfficientEfficient More EfficientMore Efficient Most EfficientMost Efficient

PunctualPunctual More PunctualMore Punctual Most PunctualMost Punctual

FrequentlyFrequently More FrequentlyMore Frequently Most FrequentlyMost Frequently

Regular ComparisonRegular Comparison

To show a decrease in the qualities they express, all modifiers form the comparative and superlative degrees by using less and least

PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

ProudProud Less proudLess proud Least proudLeast proud

PatientlyPatiently Less PatientlyLess Patiently Least PatientlyLeast Patiently

Irregular Comparison Irregular Comparison: Some modifiers do

not follow the regular methods of forming the comparative and superlative degrees.

PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

BadBad WorseWorse WorstWorst

GoodGood BetterBetter BestBest

WellWell BetterBetter BestBest

LittleLittle LessLess LeastLeast

ManyMany MoreMore MostMost

MuchMuch MoreMore MostMost

Comparative & Superlative Comparative & Superlative (in (in context)context)

Use the comparative degree when comparing two (2) things. Use the superlative degree when comparing more than two

After reading both stories, I can understand why one is (more/most) widely praised.

Of the four Shakespearean plays we read, ‘Hamlet’ was the (more/most) moving.

Comparative & Superlative Comparative & Superlative (in (in context)context)

Include the word other or else when comparing one member of a group with the rest of the group.

Incorrect - Anita has hit more home runs than any member of the team.

Correct- Anita has hit more home runs than any other member of the team.

Avoid Double ComparisonsAvoid Double Comparisons

This week’s program is more funnier than last week’s.

The most farthest you can go is San Francisco,