Download Handbook Notes Ch. 11

Holt Handbook Ch. 11:
Using Modifiers
Correctly
Questions/ Main Idea
Modifier
Adjective or adverb
Good and Well
Details/Notes
It is a word or word group that makes the
meaning of another word or word group more
specific. Two parts of speech are used as
modifiers: adjectives and adverbs
• Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns
• Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other
adverbs
Many adverbs end in –ly, but not all of them do.
A few common adjectives also end in –ly.
Therefore you cannot tell whether a word is an
adjective or an adverb simply by looking for the
–ly ending.
To determine whether a word is an adjective or
adverb, determine how the word is used in the
sentence.
If a word in the predicate modifies the subject of
the verb, use the adjective form. If it modifies
the verb, use the adverb form.
(Refer to page 238)
Good is an adjective. It should be used to
modify a noun or pronoun. Use well to modify a
verb.
Comparison of
Modifiers
Regular Comparison
(see charts and
examples on pg. 242)
The two kinds of modifiers – adjectives and adverbs
– may be used to compare things. In making
comparisons, adjectives and adverbs take different
forms. The specific form that is used depends upon
how many syllables the modifier has and how many
things are being compared.
Adjectives:
-This building is tall. [no comparison]
-This building is taller than that one. [one
compared with another]
-This building is the tallest one in the world.
[one compared with many others]
Adverbs:
-I ski frequently. [no comparison]
-I ski more frequently than she does. [one
compared with another]
-Of the three of us, I ski most frequently.
[one compared with two others]
The 3 degrees of comparison are the positive, the
comparative, and the superlative (refer to chart on
pg. 242)
1. Most one-syllable modifiers form the
comparative degree by adding –er and the
superlative degree by adding –est.
2. Two-syllable modifiers form the comparative
degree by adding –er or using more and form
the superlative degree by adding –est or using
most.
3. Modifiers that have three or more syllables
form the comparative degree by using more and
the superlative degree by using most.
4. To show a decrease in the qualities they
express, modifiers form the comparative degree
by using less and the superlative degree by
using least.
The comparative and superlative degrees of some
modifiers are not formed by the usual methods
Examples: good, better, best
bad, worse, worst
Use the comparative degree when comparing two
Use of Comparative
and Superlative forms things. Use the superlative degree when comparing
more than two.
Examples:
Comparative
• The second problem is harder than the first.
• Of the two CD players, this one costs less.
Superlative
• This is the most valuable coin in my collection.
• Of the three dogs, that one barks the least.
Irregular comparison
(see charts and
examples on pg. 243)
Here’s a way to remember which form of a
modifier to use: When comparing 2 things, use –er
(the 2-letter ending). When comparing 3 or more
things, use –est (the 3-letter ending.)
Double Comparison
The Double Negative
Placement of
Modifiers
Avoid using double comparison. A double
comparison is the use of both -er and more (or less)
or both -est and most (or least) to form a degree of
comparison. [See examples on page 248.]
A double negative is the use of 2 negative words to
express one negative idea.
Examples:
NONSTANDARD: We don’t have no extra chairs.
STANDARD:
We have no extra chairs.
Place modifying words, phrases, and clauses as near
as possible to the words they modify. A modifier
that seems to modify the wrong word in a sentence is
called a misplaced modifier.
MISPLACED: My aunt has almost seen all of the
documentaries directed by Camille
Billops.
CORRECT:
My aunt has seen almost all of the
documentaries directed by Camille
Billops.
A modifier that does not clearly modify another
word or word group in a sentence is called a
dangling modifier.
DANGLING:
While vacationing in Mexico,
snorkeling in the bay was the most
fun.
CORRECT:
While vacationing in Mexico, we
had the most fun snorkeling in the
bay.
Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, a
noun or pronoun called the object of the preposition,
and any modifiers of that object.
A prepositional phrase used as an adjective should
generally be placed directly after the word it
modifies.
MISPLACED: This book describes Nat Turner’s
struggle for freedom by Judith
Berry Griffin.
CORRECT:
This book by Judith Berry
Griffin describes Nat Turner’s
struggle for freedom.
A prepositional phrase used as an adverb should be
placed near the word it modifies.
MISPLACED:
Spanish explorers discovered gold
along the river that runs near my
house during the 1500s. [Did the
river run near my house during the
1500s??]
CORRECT:
During the 1500s, Spanish
explorers discovered gold along
the river that runs near my house.
Avoid placing a prepositional phrase in a position
where it can modify either of two words. Place the
phrase so that it clearly modifies the word you intend
it to modify.
MISPLACED:
Emily said before sunset it might
get colder. [Does the phrase
modify said or might get?]
CORRECT:
Emily said it might get colder
before sunset. [The phrase
modifies might get.]
Participial Phrase
Adjective Clause
REFLECTION:
A participial phrase consists of a verb form- either a
present participle or a past participle – and any
modifiers or complements the participle has. A
participial phrase modifies a noun or a pronoun.
Like a prepositional phrase, a participial phrase
should be placed as close as possible to the word it
modifies.
MISPLACED:
Bandits chase the stagecoach
yelling wildly. [Was the
stagecoach yelling wildly??]
CORRECT:
Yelling wildly, bandits chase the
stagecoach.
To correct a dangling participle phrase, supply a
word that the phrase can modify, or change the
phrase to a clause.
DANGLING:
Jogging down the sidewalk, my
ankle was sprained. [Was my
ankle jogging down the
sidewalk??]
CORRECT:
Jogging down the sidewalk, I
sprained my ankle.
An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that
modifies a noun or a pronoun. Most adjective clauses
begin with a relative pronoun – that, which, who,
whom, or whose. Like an adjective phrase, an
adjective clause should be placed directly after the
word it modifies.
MISPLACED: The book was about insects that we
read. [Did we read the insects??]
CORRECT:
The book that we read was about
insects.