March 22, 2010

8 Adverb and Adjective Pointers

1. Many adverbs are formed by adding "-ly" to the adjective.
Examples: slowly, mildly, quietly

2. Some words can either be adjectives or adverbs depending on the manner they are used.
Example: "high"
  • The cat climbed up a high tree. ("high" used as an adjective)
  • The bird flew high in the sky. ("high" used as an adverb)

3. Some adverbs have two (2) forms: one which has "-ly" added to it, and the other without the "-ly". The two 2 forms have different meanings.
Example: "late"
  • He arrived late.
  • Lately, he couldn't seem to be on time for anything.

4. Some adverbs don't even have a "-ly" form.
Examples: long, fast, early

5. Some adjectives have "-ly" added to it.
Examples: hourly, lovely, early

6. Adverbs are used with action verbs; adjectives are used with linking verbs.
Examples:
  • He speaks clearly. ("speaks" is an action verb)
  • Angel and Bea are hungry ("are" is a linking verb)

7. With regard to adjectives that compare:

a. Just add "-er" and "est" for some short adjectives
Example: big, bigger, biggest

b. Use "more" and "most" or "less" and "least" when it comes to some longer adjectives and adverbs.
Example:
  • beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful
  • skillful, less skillful, least skillful

c. Note the irregular adverb and adjectives.
Examples:
  • badly, worse, worst
  • bad, worse, worst

d. Some adjectives are already superlative.
Examples: first, only, perfect

8. Where you place the adverb affects the meaning of the sentence.
Examples:
  • We only rode the cab.
  • We rode only the cab.

Attribution to Rebecca Elliot and her book Painless Grammar (c) 2006, 1997

Conjunction tips are next.