Using Adjectives

Modifiers are words that change or limit the meaning of other words.One kind of modifier is an adjective. An adjective is a word that modifies a noun or pronoun. Adjectives can tell three things about nouns or pronouns.

1. Which one or ones? this street, that class, those chairs2. What kind? green insect, sewing class, sad story.3. How many or how much? Thirty pounds, all people, little trouble

A proper adjective is formed from a proper noun. It is always capitalized.Chinese food a French accent the Hindu religion

The adjectives a, an, and the are called articles.

Most adjectives come before the words they modify. However, a predicate adjective follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Yogurt is popular all over the world.

Recognizing Adjectives. Circle the adjectives. Ignore the articles (a, an, the).

1. Ted has taken several classes in photographic journalism.

2. Many articles were written about the Japanese garden.

3. The new models will use less gas and get better mileage.

4. Gloria bought a bright yellow shirt and white jeans.

5. The senior class is studying modern European history.

6. Mauna Loa is a large volcano on one of the Hawaiian islands.

7. The young playwright has written a delightful comedy.

8. The agents found those secret documents in an old suitcase.

Recognizing Predicate Adjectives. Circle the predicate adjectives. (*follows linking

verbs*)

1. The career of Golda Meir was long and brilliant.

2. Debbie Armstrong felt proud of her victory in the Olympics.

3. These McIntosh apples are crisp and juicy.

4. That polar bear seems hungry.

5. Punctuality is important to employers.

6. The water looked cool and refreshing.

7. The audience grew quiet and thoughtful.

8. The miners looked weary after their ordeal.

Using AdjectivesAn adjective is a word that modifies a noun or pronoun. An adjective tells which one or ones, what kind, how many, or how much about the word that it modifies. A proper adjective, such as Irish or American, is one that is formed from a proper noun. A predicate adjective is one that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Recognizing Adjectives. Underline the adjectives in the following sentences. Do not underline articles such as the, a, or an.

EXAMPLE: The British flag is also, red, white, and blue.

1. Many novels have been made into movies.

2. The armadillo digs for insects with its large, powerful claws.

3. Alberta is a western province of Canada.

4. It was a beautiful but expensive ring.

5. The American foot and the European meter are world standards of measure.

6. The exotic pomegranate is covered with a hard rind and contains many large

seeds.

7. Those ducks usually fly at a fast pace.

8. At the restaurant we had Danish ice cream and Austrian chocolates.

9. A proper diet and regular exercise are important.

10. Lush and tropical New Orleans has a long summer and a wet winter.

Identifying Proper and Predicate Adjectives. In each of the following sentences, circle the adjective and underline the word it modifies. If the adjective is a proper adjective, write proper, on the blank. If the adjective is a predicate adjective, write predicate on the blank.

1. The pear in my lunchbox was juicy. ____________________________________

2. The Belgian ambassador met with the President. _________________________

3. The rooms in the castle were uncomfortable. ____________________________

4. These are Hawaiian orchids. _________________________________________

5. The engines of the jet are quite powerful. _______________________________

6. A runner carried the Olympic torch. ____________________________________

7. Senor Diaz has a Spanish accent. _____________________________________

8. Do you enjoy Japanese food? ________________________________________

9. Jogging can be fun. ________________________________________________

10. Several of the animals became ill. ____________________________________

2

Adjectives in Comparisons

When you compare one person or thing with another, you use the comparative form of an adjective. The comparative is made in two ways: (1) Add –er to short adjectives. (2) Use more for longer adjectives and those ending in –ful or –ous.

Dan is younger than Roy. Your notes are more helpful than mine.

When you compare a person or thing with all others in its class, you use the superlative form of the adjective. Also use the superlative when you compare a person or thing with two or more others. (1) If an adjective adds –er for the comparative, it adds –est for the superlative. (2) If an adjective uses more for the comparative, it uses most for the superlative.

Sherry is the kindest person I know.Of the three dancers, Al is the most talented.

Use the word other when you compare something with everything else of its kind.

WRONG: Ms. O’Brien is more patient than any teacher.RIGHT: Ms. O’Brien is more patient than any other teacher.

Do not use –er with more, or –est with most.

WRONG: Kelly is more slimmer than Elaine.RIGHT: Kelly is slimmer than Elaine.

Study these comparatives and superlatives which are formed in unusual ways:good, better, best bad, worse, worst many, more, mostwell, better, best little, less or lesser, least much, more, most

Using Adjectives in Comparisons. Circle the comparative adjective in the sentence. If the comparison is correct, write Correct on the blank. If it is wrong, underline the comparison and write it correctly.

1. Caroline is the better actress in the group. _____________________________

2. Rhode Island is the most smallest state. _______________________________

3. Unleaded gas is more expensive than regular gas. ______________________

4. President Chester Arthur was more taller than President Lincoln. ____________

5. Karen is the tallest of the twins. _______________________________________

6. Ted plays the guitar gooder than Sheila. ________________________________

7. The Quinns’ house is the attractivest on the block. ________________________

8. That was the baddest dessert I’ve ever had. _____________________________

9. The sequoia is taller than any tree. ____________________________________

10. William was more happier than Sara. __________________________________

3

ADJECTIVES IN COMPARISON

Use the comparative form of an adjective when comparing one person or thing to another. Use the superlative form of an adjective when comparing one person or thing to two or more others.

Recognizing Comparative and Superlative Adjectives. On the blank, label the italicized adjective C for comparative or S for superlative.

EXAMPLE: I feel happier than I did yesterday. C

1. The most picturesque town I have ever seen is in Vermont. ______________________

2. That bus ride was the longest I’ve ever taken. _________________________________

3. Asia has some of the most magnificent rivers in the world. _______________________

4. That candidate has the least loyal supporters. __________________________________

5. No company could have a more faithful employee than my mother. ________________

6. Which one of these six shades is the most popular? ____________________________

7. Of the two paintings, which one is the more expensive? _________________________

8. The lake is calmer than it was on Saturday. ___________________________________

9. Sonya is the quietest person I know. ________________________________________

10. These colors are less acceptable than those. _________________________________

Using Adjectives in Comparisons. Study the italicized adjective in each of the following sentences. If the adjective is correct, write correct on the blank. If the adjective is incorrect, rewrite it correctly on the blank.

EXAMPLE: Pigs are more smarter than horses. Smarter

1. Yesterday was a better day for horseback riding than today is. _____________________

2. Iowa has the most fertilest land in the country. ________________________________

3. Chet told a more incredibler story than Mike did. _______________________________

4. Marta’s cold is worser than Aaron’s. _________________________________________

5. This apple is the largest of the two. __________________________________________

6. Which is biggest, Canada or the Soviet Union?_________________________________

7. Is the Nile longer than the Amazon? _________________________________________

8. Europeans are best at the preservation old buildings than Americans. _______________

9. Melody has the best scientific mind in our schools. ______________________________

10. The lake water is less clearer than it was ten years ago. _________________________

4

Using Adverbs

Another kind of modifier is the adverb. Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Adverbs tell how, when, where, or to what extent something happened.

Adverbs often modify verbs.Tickets sold quickly. Grandma lives nearby.Joan arrives tomorrow. Larry almost fell.

Adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs.My guess was totally wrong. Ann danced very well.

Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to an adjective.soft + ly = softly busy + ly = busily full + ly = fully

Some adverbs are not formed from adjectives.too quite just rather somewhat never here well very not

Recognizing Adverbs. Circle the adverbs in the following sentences.

1. The governor signed the tax bill recently.

2. The cyclists were thoroughly exhausted after the long trips.

3. Sandra rearranged the furniture yesterday.

4. Drivers on the expressway must be very careful.

5. The votes for mayor are still being counted.

6. Jim does exceptionally fine work.

7. The Indian rugs were quite expensive.

8. The poet Edward Lear utterly adored his cat.

9. Timothy Hutton was extremely good in that role.

10. Denise has already mailed the thank you letters.

11. The city often holds concerts in the park.

12. At the age of five, Mozart played the piano beautifully.

13. The current here is too dangerous for swimming.

14. Did you answer that question honestly?

15. Patricia always rises early.

16. The wind was bitterly cold during the month of December.

17. Paramedics rushed to the scene immediately.

18. The mayor spoke frankly and effectively to the crowd of reporters.

5

Using Adverbs

Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. An adverb tells, how, when, where, or to what extent about the word that it modifies. Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to adjectives. Some are not formed from adjectives.

Recognizing Adverbs. Circle the adverbs in the following sentences.

1. One is never too old for a day at the zoo.

2. You must breathe more deeply at this altitude.

3. My ears and nose were quite cold.

4. As the balloon soared higher, we gripped the supports tightly with our hands.

5. Brad began his report immediately after supper.

6. The dispatcher gave directions clearly but swiftly to the rescue squad.

7. Patiently, Adam shelled the peas.

8. The tree trunks still smoldered long after the forest fire.

9. The ship sailed smoothly into the harbor.

10. Fun, food, and football go together.

Determining How Adverbs Are Used. Circle the word modified by the italicized adverb in each of the following sentences. Then, on the blank after each sentence, tell the part of speech of the modified word. Write V for verb, ADJ for adjective, or ADV for adverb.

1. Dennis spoke confidently about his project. ____________________________

2. This wing of the school is completely new. _____________________________

3. The meeting went very well, indeed. __________________________________

4. The refrigerator is almost empty. _____________________________________

5. Our bus came too early this morning. __________________________________

6. Cleon fell rather hard. ______________________________________________

7. The clock on the wall in the kitchen fell down. ___________________________

8. Some writers are never happy with their own work. _______________________

9. Martha behaved somewhat coldly toward her cousin. _____________________

10. The squirrels busily gathered the acorns and hazelnuts. ___________________

6

Adverbs in Comparisons

The comparative form of an adverb compares one action with another. The coparative is made in two ways: (1) Add –er to short adverbs. (2) Use more with most adverbs ending in –ly.

David types faster than Steve. The motor runs more smoothly now.

The superlative form of an adverb compares one action with two or more others. (1) If an adverb adds –er for the comparative, it adds –est for the superlative. (2) If an adverb uses more for the comparative, it uses most for the superlative.

Paulette sang the loudest of all the sopranos.Of all the actors, Ryan spoke the most convincingly.

Use the word other when you compare one action with every other action of the same kind.

WRONG: Mom works longer hours than any manager.RIGHT: Mom works longer hours than any other manager.

Do not use –er with more, or –est with most.WRONG: We arrived more earlier than you.RIGHT: We arrived earlier than you.

These adverbs change completely in the comparative and superlative forms.well, better, best little, less, leastmuch, more, most far, farther, farthest

Using Adverbs in Comparisons. If the comparison is correct, write Correct. If it is wrong, underline the comparison and write it correctly.

1. Janice dived the most gracefully of all the swimmers. ______________________

2. Our debate team argued more better than the other team. __________________

3. Ken researched his report the most thoroughly of all. ______________________

4. Jack cooks more oftener than Susan. __________________________________

5. Of the three soaps, this one lasts longer. _______________________________

6. Evan climbed the most highest of all. __________________________________

7. This new drill can dig more deeply than the old one. ______________________

8. My Frisbee sailed the farther of the three. _______________________________

9. That lock protects property better than any lock. __________________________

10. I slept most soundly last night than I have in weeks. _______________________

7

Adverbs in Comparisons

Use the comparative form of an adverb when comparing one action to another. Use the superlative form of an adverb when comparing more than two actions.

Recognizing Comparative and Superlative Adverbs. On the blank, label the italicized adverb C for comparative or S for superlative.

1. Ardith thinks she can run faster than I did. ______________________________

2. Which of the three candidates spoke most decisively during the debate? _____

3. Small, sporty cars sell better than large, luxury models. ___________________

4. Mitsuko practices her violin more diligently than her sister Hideko does. ______

5. Of all the contestants, Shari delivered her oration most forcefully. ___________

6. Archie worked longer than he had to. __________________________________

7. Of all the students in our school, Duayne arrives earliest. __________________

8. The commercial asked people to give more generously to their favorite

charities. ____________________________

9. Julius jumps higher than any of the other basketball players. ______________

10. Gretchen threw the javelin farthest in the mock Olympic competition. _________

Using Adverbs in Comparisons. Study the italicized adverb in each of the following sentences. If the adverb is correct, write Correct on the blank. If the adverb is incorrect, rewrite it correctly on the blank.

1. Who in our class is more likely to succeed? ____________________________

2. Charmaine danced more gracefully than I did. __________________________

3. I like the music of Shostakovich better than that of Tchaikovsky. ____________

4. The cheetah can go fastest than any other four-legged animal. ______________

5. Who worked hardest, Roy or Jerome? _________________________________

6. Of the three crafts, Molly enjoys woodcutting more. _______________________

7. Of all the queens in history, Queen Victoria reigned longest. ________________

8. Between the two movies, we liked that one best. _________________________

8

Adjective or Adverb?

Sometimes you may have trouble deciding whether to use an adjective or an adverb. Study this chart.

An ADJECTIVE tells An ADVERB tells

Which oneWhat kindHow many

HowWhenWhereTo what extent

about a noun or pronoun.Jeff is kind to me.

about a verb, adjective, or adverb.He spoke kindly to me.

Using Correct Modifiers. Circle the correct word in each sentence.

1. The nurse spoke (pleasant, pleasantly) to us.

2. Brett looks (handsome, handsomely) today.

3. Marion Anderson sang (beautiful, beautifully).

4. That problem was (extreme, extremely) difficult.

5. Tanya is (thoughtful, thoughtfully) person.

6. Oil dripped (steady, steadily) from beneath the car.

7. The elevator stopped (sudden, suddenly) between floors.

8. This machine produces copies (quick, quickly).

9. The safety lock opened (easy, easily).

10. Paul’s description of the suspect was (accurate, accurately).

11. This lemonade tastes (bitter, bitterly).

12. Ice cream feels (soothing, soothingly) to a sore throat.

13. The defendant paced the floor (nervous, nervously).

14. Marge stretched out (lazy, lazily) on the beach towel.

15. The laboratory technician checked the sample (careful, carefully).

16. Dinner smells (wonderful, wonderfully) tonight.

17. Your vacation in Vermont sounds (restful, restfully).

18. Nancy laughed (loud, loudly) throughout the movie.

19. The details of the accident are (sketchy, sketchily).

20. You seem (terrible, terribly) upset about the election.

9

Adjective or Adverb?

To decide whether to use an adjective or an adverb in a sentence, determine what other word in the sentence the word modifies. If you wish to tell which one, what kind, or how many about a noun or pronoun, use an adjective. If you wish to tell how, when, where, or to what extent about a verb, adjective, or adverb, use an adverb. Remember that predicate adjectives are used after linking verbs.

Using the Correct Modifier. Circle the correct word in each of the following sentences.

1. The blue jay clung (steadfast, steadfastly) to the branch.

2. The sun rose (extreme, extremely) early this morning.

3. Clara exercises (vigorous, vigorously) every day.

4. Auto racing is a (particular, particularly) dangerous sport.

5. The story sounded (suspicious, suspiciously) to me.

6. It seems (obvious, obviously) that Ronald’s health is much improved.

7. Joellen looked (hilariously, hilarious) in her clown makeup.

8. Our team (near, nearly) lost the championship.

9. These peppers are (fair, fairly) hot.

10. The toddler looked (sleepy, sleepily) at his grandmother.

Determining How Adjectives and Adverbs Are Used. Underline the word modified by the italicized word in each of the following sentences. Label the italicized word ADJ for adjective or ADV for adverb. Then, on the blank, write the part of speech of the word modified by the adjective or adverb.

1. She is older than me._______________________________________________________

2. Bundle yourself well before going out into the cold. _______________________________

3. A bear emerged from the shadowy forest. _______________________________________

4. I am rather happy about the result of my test. ____________________________________

5. The bell rang so loudly that I jumped out of my seat. _______________________________

6. Cats are naturally curious creatures. ___________________________________________

7. The work went more quickly than we had expected it to. ____________________________

8. An odyssey is simply a long journey. ___________________________________________

9. Oranges grow wonderfully in a hot climate. ______________________________________

10. We found a stray dog, and it was hungry. _______________________________________

10

Troublesome Modifiers (I)

Them and Those. Those can be used as an adjective. Them is never an adjective. It cannot substitute for those.

WRONG: Kim bought them jeans.RIGHT: Kim bought those jeans. OR Kim bought them.

Here and There. The word this includes the idea of here. The word that includes the idea of there. Therefore, do not say “this here” or “that there.”

Kind and Sort. Kind and sort are singular. Use this or that with them. Kinds and sorts are plural. Use these and those with them.

This kind of clothing is warm. Those kinds of clothing are popular.

Using Modifiers Correctly. Underline the correct word in each sentence.

1. Nina knows (them, those) people.

2. (That, Those) sort of behavior is foolish.

3. Neil gave Amy (that, that there) hand-crafted bracelet.

4. Our agency specializes in (this, these) kinds of cases.

5. Mr. Otsuka carved (them, those) figures from cork.

6. May I borrow (this, this here) games magazine.

7. (This, These) kind of car uses less gas.

8. Annie uses (that, those) kind of tennis racket.

9. Should I throw away (this, this here) old flashlight battery?

10. (Them, Those) vending machines don’t work.

11. (That, That there) scaffold was built by the construction crew.

12. (Them, Those) ladders belong to the painters.

13. (That, Those) sort of book has no index.

14. Nancy never makes (that, those) kinds of mistakes.

15. Use (these, these here) disks when you work on the computer.

16. (Them, Those) windshield wipers need cleaning.

17. (This, These) type of sound effects album is sold only in record stores.

18. Lisa wore one of (them, those) cowgirl skirts.

11

Troublesome Modifiers (I)

Them is never an adjective. It cannot be substituted for those.The word this includes the idea of here. The word that includes the idea of there. Therefore, do no say or write “this here” or “that there.”Kind and sort are singular and should be used with this or that (this kind). Kinds and sorts are plural and should be used with these and those (those sorts).

Using Modifiers Correctly. Circle the correct word in the sentence.

1. (Them, Those) napkins do not match the tablecloth.

2. Did you finish (that, that there) salad?

3. (This, This here) newspaper tells about the big blizzard.

4. We have (that, those) kinds of dishes, too.

5. (Those, That) kinds of rocks are formed by heat.

6. Gary says (them, those) horses are Clydesdales.

7. Both of us have (these, this) sort of raincoat.

8. Are (those, them) colored pencils Amy’s?

9. (That there, That) butterfly is a monarch.

10. (Those, That) kind of bird builds its nest on the ground.

Correcting Misused Modifiers. Study the italicized modifier in each of the following sentences. If the modifier is incorrect, write the correct form on the blank. If the modifier is correct, write CORRECT.

1. These kinds of clocks are made in Sweden. _____________________________________

2. Look through the microscope at them bacteria. __________________________________

3. This here paper has processed cloth in it as well as wood. _________________________

4. These kind of tulip bulb will produce ruffled, purple blossoms. _____________________

5. Where are them lawn and leaf bags? __________________________________________

6. Those there peaches aren’t ripe yet. ___________________________________________

7. These sorts of questions are very difficult to answer. _____________________________

8. That there crescent wrench has a special patent on it. _____________________________

9. Should we buy this kind of shelving for my room? _______________________________

10. Them books over there tell about the life of Henry David Thoreau. __________________

12

Troublesome Modifiers (II)

Good and Well. Good is always an adjective, modifying nouns and pronouns. It is never used to describe an action.

Mandy is a good friend. Tomato soup tastes good.

Well can be either an adjective or an adverb. As an adjective, well can mean “in good health.” As an adverb, it describes an action performed in a proper manner or with skill.

Do you feel well? (adjective) Delbert writes well. (adverb)

The Double Negative. Two negative words (no, none, not, nothing, never, or the contraction n’t) used together is called a double negative. Only one is necessary. Avoid using double negatives.

WRONG: It didn’t do no harm. Nobody saw nothing.RIGHT: It didn’t do any harm. Nobody saw anything.

Other negative words are hardly, scarcely, and barely. Do not use them with negative contractions like hasn’t and didn’t.

WRONG: Robert couldn’t hardly lift the weight.RIGHT: Robert could hardly lift the weight.

Using Modifiers Correctly. Circle the correct word in each sentence.

1. The plans for the new auditorium sounded (good, well).

2. The band from Ireland played (good, well).

3. Cheddar cheese tastes (good, well) on rye bread.

4. Jeff didn’t hear (any, no) whistle.

5. Nothing (could, couldn’t) stop the violent flood.

6. Sabrina (could, couldn’t) hardly stop laughing.

7. Please don’t serve me (any, none) of the gravy.

8. That leather belt goes (good, well) with the jeans.

9. The serape and the sombrero look (good, well) together.

10. We hadn’t heard (anything, nothing) from Ron in nearly a month.

11. There (are, aren’t) no safety checks required for those ideas.

12. Ms. Nicolette hasn’t told (anybody, nobody) about her promotion.

13. Sam (can, can’t) barely breathe during an asthma attack.

14. Ed wasn’t (ever, never) on a farm before.

15. Mandy has (ever, never) taken the subway to Coney Island.

13

Troublesome Modifiers (II)

Good is always an adjective. It never modifies an action. Well can be either an adjective or an adverb.

Negative words (no, none, not, nothing, hardly, scarcely, barely and the contraction n’t) should never be used in pairs. Only one is necessary. Avoid such double negatives.

Using Modifiers Correctly. Circle the correct word in each of the following sentences.

1. Zana (couldn’t, could) scarcely believe the news.

2. This plant grows (good, well) in direct sunlight.

3. Mr. Hexley explained the algebra problem (good, well).

4. The homemade vegetable soup smelled (well, good).

5. Miranda hadn’t (never, ever) seen an ocelot before.

6. Don’t you know (nothing, anything) about the beginning of jazz?

7. After his long illness, Mr. Tores didn’t look very (well, good).

8. I hardly (never, ever) go to the movies.

9. Ms. Goldman hasn’t chosen (nobody, anybody) for the part yet.

10. You did very (good, well) in the swimming trials.

Correcting Misused Modifiers. Study the italicized modifier in each of the following sentences. If the modifier is incorrect, write the correct form on the blank. If the modifier is correct, write CORRECT.

1. This book is a good source of advice on home repairs. ____________________________

2. Haven’t you never been to a professional ice hockey game? _______________________

3. Robin played good at the tennis meet today. ____________________________________

4. Liz has never seen Niagara Falls. ____________________________________________

5. Daryl hasn’t never flown in a helicopter. ______________________________________

6. How well do you understand football terminology? ______________________________

7. Nobody couldn’t hear the lunch bell ring. ______________________________________

8. The audience responded good to our play. _____________________________________

9. Hasn’t Celia never ridden in a cable car? ______________________________________

10. This movie is quite good. __________________________________________________

14

Review: Using Modifiers

Identifying Adjectives and Adverbs. Write whether each italicized word is an Adjective or an Adverb. Then draw an arrow to the word it modifies.

1. Suddenly, the fuse on the odd gadget blew. ____________________________________

2. We had prepared too much spaghetti and sauce. _________________________________

3. Chocolate has become expensive. ____________________________________________

4. Two finalists were chosen from among the fifty contestants.  _______________________

5. The bank recently opened a second branch. ____________________________________

6. Your list seems complete. __________________________________________________

7. Mr. Steele is a very careful driver. ____________________________________________

8. Yolanda was a respected employee, competent and cheerful. ______________________

Using Modifiers Correctly. Circle the correct word in each sentence.

9. Suzanne is the (older, oldest) in her family.

10. Discount stores often offer (cheaper, more cheaper) prices.

11. Sally gave her (better, best) performance in Fiddler on the Roof.

12. That was the (worser, worst) song I’ve ever heard.

13. Those shrubs are (closer, closest) to the house than they should be.

14. Mr. Dandridge looks (more tired, most tired) than usual.

15. High blood pressure is a (serious, seriously) matter.

16. The solution is (obvious, obviously).

17. The bus turned (sharp, sharply) at the corner.

18. Nobody bought (anything, nothing) at the flea market.

19. The President took the oath of office (confident, confidently).

20. City officials coped with the emergency (good, well).

21. That was the (smarter, smartest) decision you could make.

22. This math problem is the (easier, easiest) of the two.

23. Marsha is the (more popular, most popular) girl in our class.

24. Carol hadn’t (ever, never) been to New York.

15

Recognize adjectives. Circle each adjective in these sentences. Tell which word it modifies.

1. This special exhibit will travel to thirty museums. ______________________________

2. That Italian sports car has a deluxe interior. ___________________________________

3. Dense, black smoke poured out of the rusty tailpipe. _____________________________

4. Three mysterious strangers appeared at the door. _______________________________

5. Several famous sculptors worked on that huge marble statue. _____________________

6. I ate one of the biggest red raspberries in the bowl. _____________________________

7. Two dignified bronze lions guarded the gate. __________________________________

8. Some Indian food is cooked in clay ovens. ____________________________________

9. The violent storm destroyed many large homes. ________________________________

10. Tiny green buds dotted the forsythia branches. _________________________________

Find predicate adjectives. Circle the predicate adjective in each sentence. Tell which word it modifies on the blank provided.

1. Rebecca seems quiet today. ________________________________________________

2. That odd melody somehow sounds very familiar. _______________________________

3. This dead tree is hollow. __________________________________________________

4. The bridge is usually slippery after a storm. ___________________________________

5. Claire is very artistic. _____________________________________________________

6. American consumers must become more aware of safety factors. __________________

7. Your jigsaw puzzle looks difficult. __________________________________________

8. The paths through the swamp were treacherous. ________________________________

9. Many popular children’s shows are also educational. ____________________________

10. This beautiful roll-top desk is very old. _______________________________________

Use adjectives in comparison. Choose the correct adjective.1. Jori seems (more cheerful, cheerfuller) than usual.2. These new shoestrings are (shorter, more shorter) than the ones that broke.3. Of the three stories, which is (more factual, most factual)?4. The budget for this film was the (most lowest, lowest) of the series.5. The combat forces have become (stronger, more strong) in the past few years.6. Have you ever tasted (more spicier, spicier) chili?7. Who was the (younger, youngest) of all the Presidents?8. This year the business was (more profitable, most profitable) than last year.9. Jennifer looks (happier, more happier) than her friends.10. Of all these paperbacks, this one is the (more humorous, most humorous) to read.

16

Recognize adverbs. Circle the adverb(s) and write the word it modifies on the blank.

1. A trap door in the floor slowly opened. _______________________________________

2. My grandparents arrived yesterday from Tulsa. ________________________________

3. Cindy Nicholas swam the English Channel twice. _______________________________

4. Carrie is too busy to answer the phone now. ____________________________________

5. The photographer carefully focused the camera. _________________________________

6. Professional skaters practice here quite frequently. _______________________________

7. Phil seemed extremely proud of his brother. ____________________________________

8. Currently, Congress is seriously considering other energy sources. __________________

9. The fishing fleet always returns here in the evening. _____________________________

10. Two helicopters hovered loudly overhead. _____________________________________

Use adverbs in comparison. Circle the correct adverb.

1. The sun shines (more intensely, most intensely) in California than in Alaska.

2. You will play (better, more better) if you warm up.

3. Of all the joggers, Al runs (farther, farthest).

4. She sang (more better, better) tonight than last night.

5. Brian eats (littler, less) than anyone else in the family.

6. The storm hit (hardest, most hard) in the tropics.

7. Randy can repair appliances (more skillfully, most skillfully) than his brother.

8. Of our group, Amanda lives (nearer, nearest) to the park.

9. Connors played (badder, worse) than usual.

10. The flood waters receded (quicklier, more quickly) than expected.

Use modifiers correctly. Circle the correct word.

1. The fresh bread smelled (wonderful, wonderfully).2. Their coach looks (impatient, impatiently).3. The winners seemed (proud, proudly).4. Black rolling clouds appeared (sudden, suddenly).5. The judges tasted each contestant’s pie (careful, carefully).6. Tim’s voice sounded (groggy, groggily).7. That African nation has just become (independent, independently).8. The verterans talked (honest, honestly) about their concerns.9. The ice-cold watermelon tasted (sweet, sweetly).10. Nicole looked (eager, eagerly) at the swimming pool.

17

Solve modifier problems. Eleven of the sentences below contain errors in the use of modifiers. Circle the incorrect modifiers and write the correct modifier on the blank provided. Write correct if the sentence contains no error.

1. Jeremy dances well. ______________________________________________________

2. Take this here camera to Brad. ______________________________________________

3. You didn’t put no paste on the wallpaper. ______________________________________

4. Kathy couldn’t find any patches to use on the tire. _______________________________

5. My brothers scarcely never fight. ____________________________________________

6. Those sort of music is called reggae. __________________________________________

7. Please pass me them potato pancakes. _________________________________________

8. Can them twigs be used as kindling for the fire? _________________________________

9. Mr. Viner explained the lab procedure good. ___________________________________

10. These kinds of motorbikes use hardly no gasoline. _______________________________

11. Phil bought a pair of those argyle socks. _______________________________________

12. The stranded motorist couldn’t get no help. ____________________________________

13. These sort of fish is good for frying. __________________________________________

14. Lemonade tastes good on a hot day. __________________________________________

15. The audience couldn’t barely hear the actors. ___________________________________

List all the modifiers in the following sentences. Identify them as adjectives or adverbs. Then list the word that each adjective or adverb modifies.

1. The nervous man walked rapidly into the subway.

2. The fans screamed wildly as the talented quarterback threw a perfect pass.

3. The young violinist drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.

4. The old house stood silent and empty for years.

5. Angela’s teeth chattered uncontrollably in the bitterly cold air.

6. Miners work underground under extremely dangerous conditions.

7. Sam and his friends arrived at the game too late for the first kickoff.

8. The famous technique of this artist is very unusual.

9. Expertly, he pressed the shining apples into sweet, clear cider.

10. My new bicycle was definitely my favorite gift.

18

All but two of the following sentences contain errors in the use of modifiers. Circle the modifiers in each sentence. If the sentence is correct, write correct on the blank provided. If it is incorrect, write the correct modifier on the blank provided.

1. Benjamin has always been real interested in mathematics. _________________________

2. The team didn’t have no losses after that game. _________________________________

3. Terry always dresses well for interviews. ______________________________________

4. Jan couldn’t hardly wait for the mail to come. __________________________________

5. On the corner, a musician was playing sorrowfully on a tenor saxophone. ____________

6. These kind of shoe can be extremely comfortable. _______________________________

7. I see my friends oftener than I see most of my relatives. __________________________

8. Is Lake Superior more far away than Lake Michigan? ____________________________

9. The Angels played worst than usual today. _____________________________________

10. The band’s early albums were more better than its recent ones. _____________________

Tell whether each italicized word or phrase in the following sentences is Correct or Incorrect. Write the correct modifier on the blank provided or write correct on the blank.

1. I would not cut them hedges if I were you. _____________________________________

2. My grandparents love that sort of music and books. ______________________________

3. My ankle still feels tenderly from the sprain. ___________________________________

4. I may look fine, but I don’t feel very good. _____________________________________

5. Be carefuller with them darts. _______________________________________________

6. Even those huge elephants are fast when they have to be. _________________________

7. I haven’t seen any birds in this neighborhood for weeks. __________________________

8. Many people feel that boxing is the most dangerous of the two sports. _______________

9. Ted couldn’t barely control his temper. ________________________________________

10. That there game hadn’t scarcely started when it began to rain. _____________________

19