Modifier – makes the meaning of a word or word group more specific. –A–Adjective modifies nouns and pronouns –A–Adverb modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs –T–TIP: If it’s a PA, use the adjective form. If it modifies the verb, use the adverb form. Adjective: My, that was a quick flight. Adverb: The flight arrived quickly.

GOOD WELL

“Good” is an adjective. Use “well” to modify a verb. TIP: “Well” can mean “in good health” or “satisfactory” TIP: Use “good” to mean “happy” Examples Alicia Keys plays the piano very (good, well). Her SAT results were (good, well). Raeshaun ate too much and isn’t feeling (good, well) today. I felt (good, well) when I won the trophy.

Most one-syllable modifiers use “-er” and “-est” to make comparative and superlative forms. PositiveComparativeSuperlative OldOlderOldest HotHotterHottest QuickQuickerQuickest

Two-syllable modifiers use “-er” or “more” to make the comparative form and “-est” or “most” to make the superlative form. PositiveComparativeSuperlative happyhappierhappiest thankfulmore thankfulmost thankful cheerfulmore cheerfulmost cheerful

Three-syllable modifiers use “more” to make the comparative form and “most” to make the superlative form. PositiveComparativeSuperlative beautifulmore beautifulmost beautiful eagerlymore eagerlymost eagerly skillfullymore skillfullymost skillfully

To show decreasing comparisons, all modifiers form their comparative and superlative degrees with “less” and “least.” PositiveComparativeSuperlative colorfulless colorfulleast colorful proudless proudleast proud smoothlyless smoothlyleast smoothly

Some modifiers do not form their comparative and superlative degrees using the usual methods. PositiveComparativeSuperlative badworseworst well/goodbetterbest many/muchmoremost

Use comparative when comparing two things Use superlative when comparing more than two. Examples This piece of wood is (lighter, lightest) than that one. Of the three contestants, which one sings (better, best)? The North Star is the (brighter, brightest) star in the sky. Of the canary or the parakeet, which bird sings (more sweetly, most sweetly)?

The use of TWO negative words to express ONE negative idea –W–W–W–WRONG: We don’t have no chores left to do. –R–R–R–RIGHT: We don’t have any chores left to do. –R–R–R–RIGHT: We have no chores left to do. –W–W–W–WRONG: He couldn’t scarcely believe it. –R–R–R–RIGHT: He could scarcely believe it. –R–R–R–RIGHT: He couldn’t believe it.

NOTE: Problems usually occur with prepositional phrases, participal phrases, and clauses.

"Well" Is Correct!

“Good” is incorrect.