1. Unit 9: Ch. 25 Using Modifiers
7th English

2. Comparison of Adj. and Adv.
Most adjectives and adverbs have three degrees of comparison:
The positive—no comparison
The comparative—two things are being compared
The superlative—three or more things are being compared
Ex: positive=fast
comparative=faster
superlative=fastest

3. Regular Modifiers with One or Two Syllables
Use –er or more to form the comparative degree and –est or most to form the superlative degree of most one or two syllable modifiers
Ex: tall, taller, tallest

4. Use more or most when words end in –ly and if it’s a one or two syllable word that sounds awkward with –er and –est
Ex: narrow, more narrow, most narrow
quickly, more quickly, most quickly

5. Regular Modifiers with 3 or more syllables
If a word has 3 or more syllables, use ONLY more or most
Ex: popular, more popular, most popular
intelligently, more intelligently, most intelligently.

6. Irregular Adj. and Adv.
You will need to memorize the irregular comparative and superlative forms of certain adjectives and adverbs.
See handout in notes or pg. 413

7. Comparative and Superlative Degrees
Use the comparative degree with two people, places, things, or occurrences.
Use the superlative degree with three or more people, places, things or occurrences.
Ex: These bagpipes sound better than those. (2 things)
Ex: Cameron is the best bagpipe player in town. (more than 2)

8. Do NOT combine the use of –er and more to form the comparative degree or –est and most to form the superlative degree
Ex: Incorrect—This assignment is more easier than I thought.
Ex: Correct—This assignment is easier than I thought.

9. Troublesome Adj. and Adv.
Bad + Badly—”bad” is an adjective! Use after linking verbs such as are, appear, feel, look, and sound.
“Badly” is an adverb—use after action verbs such as act, behave, do, and perform.
Ex: Incorrect—Jan looked badly after the trip.
Ex: Correct—Jan looked bad after the trip.

10. Fewer + Less—use the adjective fewer to answer the question “How many
Use the adjective less to answer the question “How much?”
Ex: How many? Fewer calories, fewer chores
Ex: How much? Less food, less work

11. Good + Well—“Good” is an adjective
Good + Well—“Good” is an adjective. “Well” can be either an adjective or an adverb, depending on its meaning.
Do NOT use “good” after an action verb, use “well”
Ex: Incorrect—The children have behaved good all day.
Ex: Correct—The children have behaved well all day.

12. Just—When used as an adverb, “just” often means “no more than
Just—When used as an adverb, “just” often means “no more than.” When just has this meaning, place it directly before the word it is describing
Only—The position of “only” in a sentence sometimes affects the sentence’s entire meaning.
Do NOT place “only” where it makes the sentence unclear.
Ex: Incorrect—Only take advice from me.
Ex: Correct—Take advice only from me.