Using Modifiers

Good and Well

Use good to modify a noun or pronoun.Her voice sounds very good to me.

(Good modifies the noun voice.) Well can be used an adjective meaning “in

good health” or “healthy” Use well to modify a verb.

She sang the national anthem very well.(Well modifies the verb sang.)

What is a Modifier?

A modifier is a word, a phrase, or a clause that describes another word or limits the meaning of a word.

The two main kinds of modifiers are adjectives (words that modify nouns and pronouns. As wise in a wise grandmother) and adverbs (modifiers of verbs. As very in very nice) -they are used to compare things.

(the information in parentheses is from dictionary.com)

Degrees of Comparison

There are three degrees of comparisonPositive

Is used when only one thing is being described Ex. This suitcase is heavy.

Comparative Is used when two things are being compared

Ex. My suitcase is heavier than yours.

Superlative Is used when three or more things are being

compared Ex. Sylvia’s suitcase is the heaviest of them all.

Degrees of Comparison Most one-syllable modifiers from their

comparative and superlative degrees by adding –er and –est

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

Near Nearer Nearest

Bright Brighter Brightest

Brave Braver Bravest

Dry Drier Driest

Degrees of Comparison

Some two-syllable modifiers make their comparative and superlative degrees by adding –er or –est, they also use more and most

Use more and most (or less and least for the opposite) to form the degrees of comparison in the following situations.

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Use more and most (or less and least for the opposite) to form the degrees of comparison in the following situations.

adverbs that end in -ly. I see Sesto’s point more clearly than

Gabrielle’s. modifiers of three or more syllables I think the green house is the most attractive

house on the block. whenever adding -er and -est sounds awkward. John was more afraid than Carol.

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Regular Comparison Two SyllablesPOSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

Simple Simpler Simplest

Healthy Healthier Healthiest

Clearly More clearly Most Clearly

Often More often Most often

Degrees of Comparison Modifiers that have three or more syllables

form their comparative and superlative degrees by using more and most.

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

Important More important Most important

Creative More creative Most creative

Happily More happily Most happily

Accurately More accurately Most accurately

Regular Comparison Decreasing

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

Safe Less safe Least safe

Expensive Less expensive Least expensive

Often Less often Least often

Gracefully Less gracefully Least gracefully

Less (comparative) and least (superlative) are always used for decreasing comparisons

Irregular Comparison

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

Far Farther Farthest

Good Better Best

Well Better Best

Many More Most

Much More Most

Comparative and Superlative Forms

Use the comparative degree when comparing two things. The second problem is harder than the first. Luisa can perform the gymnastic routine more

gracefully than I.

Use the superlative degree when comparing more than two things. Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain peak. Of the three dogs, that one barks the least.

Comparative and Superlative Forms(Double Comparisons)

The use of both –er and more (less) or both –est and most (least) to form a degree of comparison. Form the comparison in only one of these two ways,

not both. INCORRECT: The Asian elephant is more smaller than the

African elephant. CORRECT: The Asian elephant is smaller than the African

elephant. INCORRECT: Ribbon Falls, in Yosemite National Park, is the

most beautifulest waterfall I have ever seen. CORRECT: Ribbon Falls, in Yosemite National Park, is the

most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen.

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Homework: Write the comparative and superlative form of the modifier. Then write 1 sentence using either one of those forms. For example:

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE happy happier happiest She seems happier this week then she did last

week. tiny tinier tiniest Out of the entire family she was the tiniest.

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POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

1. brave

2. comfortable

3. long

4. icy

5. hesitant

6. big just pretty

1. loud

2. scary 15