Modifiers

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Modifiers

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Modifier

• A word that limits the
• meaning of another word

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Modifiers

• Adjective
• Limits the meaning of a N or PRO
• strong wind loud voice original record

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Modifiers

• Adverb
• Limits the meaning of a V, ADJ, or ADV
• drives carefully extremely important
• suddenly stopped

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Use of Modifiers w/ Verbs

• 1) Use an ADJ to modify the subject of a linking
  verb.
• The new air conditioning unit is efficient.
• The principals comments were candid.

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Use of Modifiers w/ Verbs

• 2) Use an ADV to modify an action verb.
• The new air conditioning unit operates
  efficiently.
• The principal expressed his comments candidly.

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Six Troublesome Modifiers

• Bad vs. Badly
• Bad is an ADJ- The team was bad.
• Badly is an ADV- The team performed badly.
• Always use the expression feel bad
• I am feeling bad today.
• I felt bad today.

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Six Troublesome Modifiers

• Good vs. Well
• Good is an ADJ- He is a good piano player.
• Well is an ADV- The orchestra played well.
• I am good- happy or pleased (mental)
• I am well- to feel healthy (physical)

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Six Troublesome Modifiers

• Slow vs. Slowly
• Slow is an ADJ-
• The (slow, slowly) turtle barely moves.
• Slowly is an ADV-
• Turtles move very (slow, slowly).

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Comparison 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

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Comparison of Modifiers- ADJ
Positive Comparative Superlative
Neat Neater Neatest
Careful More Careful Most Careful
Optimistic Less optimistic Least optimistic
Good Better Best
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Comparison of Modifiers- ADV
Positive Comparative Superlative
Soon Sooner Soonest
Calmly More Calmly Most Calmly
Commonly Less Commonly Least Commonly
Well Better Best
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Regular Comparison

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

Positive Comparative Superlative
Soft Softer Softest
Clean Cleaner Cleanest
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Regular 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

Positive Comparative Superlative
Simple Simpler Simplest
Funny Funnier Funniest
Cautious More Cautious Most Cautious
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Regular Comparison

• Modifiers of more than two-syllables form the
  comparative and superlative degrees by using more
  and most

Positive Comparative Superlative
Efficient More Efficient Most Efficient
Punctual More Punctual Most Punctual
Frequently More Frequently Most Frequently
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Regular Comparison

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

Positive Comparative Superlative
Proud Less proud Least proud
Patiently Less Patiently Least Patiently
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Irregular Comparison

• Irregular Comparison Some modifiers do not
  follow the regular methods of forming the
  comparative and superlative degrees.

Positive Comparative Superlative
Bad Worse Worst
Good Better Best
Well Better Best
Little Less Least
Many More Most
Much More Most
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Comparative Superlative (in 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.

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Comparative Superlative (in 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.

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Avoid Double Comparisons

• This weeks program is more funnier than last
  weeks.
• The most farthest you can go is San Francisco,