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CHAPTER 22Adjectives and

Adverbs

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Adjectives

• An adjective describes a noun or a pronoun• It tells which one, what kind, or how many:

o The red coat belongs to me.o He looks healthy.

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Adverbs

• An adverb describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adverbs often end in -ly. They tell how, to what extent, why, when, or where.o Laura sings loudly.o Lift this box very carefully.

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Confusing Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective– awful– bad– poor– quick– quiet– real– sure

• Adverb– awfully– badly– poorly– quickly– quietly– really– surely

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Confusing Adjectives and Adverbs

• This chair is a real antique. (adjective)• Gina really wants to win. (adverb)

• That necktie is awful. (adjective)• My brother sings awfully. (adverb)

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Good / Well

• Unlike most adjectives, good does not add -ly to become an adverb; it changes to wello Peter is a good student. (adjective) o He writes well. (adverb)

• Note, however, that well can be used as an adjective to mean in good health:o He felt well after his long vacation.

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Comparatives

• Comparatives are formed with either more or -er—not both

• Add -er to adjectives and adverbs that have one syllable:

short shorter

fast faster

thin thinner

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Comparatives

• Place the word more before adjectives and adverbs that have two or more syllables:

foolish more foolish

happily more happy

• To show the comparative of two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, change the y to i and add -er:

cloudy cloudier

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Superlatives

• Use the superlative when you wish to compare more than two people or things

• To form superlatives,

o add -est to adjectives and adverbs of one syllable:

short shortest

o place the word most before adjectives and adverbs that have two or more syllables:

foolish most foolish

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• Exception to forming superlatives:

o With two-syllable adjectives ending in y, change the y to i and add est:

happy happiest

Superlatives

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Troublesome Comparatives and Superlatives

Comparative Superlative

Adjective: good better best

Adverb: well better best

Adjective: bad worse worst

Adverb” badly worse worst

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Demonstrative Adjectives

• This, that, these, and those are called demonstrative adjectives because they point out— or demonstrate — which noun is meant

o I don’t trust that wobbly front wheel.o Those toys are not as safe as their makers

claim.

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Singular Plural

This book These books

That book Those books

• Demonstrative adjectives are the only adjectives that change to show singular and plural:

Demonstrative Adjectives

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Proofreading Strategy

• Read slowly, and highlight every adjective purple and every adverb gray (or use colors of your choice)

• Next check every purple and gray word, one by one

• Ask yourself what word each one describes, and make sure adjectives describe nouns and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.