Download Using Modifiers

Using Modifiers
Notes
What is a modifier?
• Modifiers are words that give information
about or modify , the meaning of other
words. Adjectives and adverbs are
common modifiers.
What is an adjective?
• An adjective is a modifier that modifies
nouns pronouns .
• Adjectives answer the question which
one, what kind, how many and how
much
Can Other Words Be Used As
Adjectives
• Nouns ex. Cloth pouch , silk shirt
• Possessive Pronouns
ex. Their necks, her head, your idea
• Demonstrative pronouns
ex. This house, that road, these hills, those
people
• Participles
• Ex. Living spider, dreaded plague
What is a predicate adjective?
• A predicate adjective follows a linking verb
and modifies the subject of a clause
Ex. The spider looked harmless and small.
Can you Identify the adjective?
1. Ted has taken several classes in photography.
2. Fashion Fair displayed purple pink and gray sweaters.
3. Many articles were written about the Japanese garden
4. These new cars will use less gas.
5. The senior class is studying modern European history.
6. There is a light lunch for you on the kitchen table.
7. Our mail delivery is late.
8. A British car stopped in the right lane.
9. Water pollution is a serious problem.
10. Parents of the graduates looked happy.
What is an adverb?
• An adverb modifies verbs, adjectives and
other adverbs.
• Adverbs answer the question where,
when, how, and to what degree
• Adverbs such as so, very, most, more,
and ever intensify the meaning of the
words that they modify.
Can You Identify the Adverb?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The governor signed the tax bill recently.
The cyclists were thoroughly exhausted.
Sandra rearranged the furniture yesterday.
Drivers on the expressway must be very careful.
Make all deliveries here.
We left our keys behind.
Patricia rises early.
The votes are still being counted.
The winner was very surprised.
The wind was bitterly cold.
What are some problems with
adverbs?
• Writers may confuse an adjective with an
adverb, use double negatives or add an
extra here or there.
Example: Adjective or adverb?
• The lonely scientist turned a lowly insect
into a radioactive terror.
(All adverbs do not end in ly)
What are some problems with
adjectives and adverbs?
• Many words have adjective and adverb forms
Ex.
Some stories about real people are really strange.
• Some words can function as either adjectives or
adverbs
• Ex. A weird tale may appear in the daily paper.
I read the paper daily.
What are some problems with
adjectives and adverbs?
• Two pairs of modifiers in particular cause writers problems:
Ex. Good- adjective
well adjective or adverb
Bad- adjective
Badly adverb
• A good urban myth has some truth to it. (adjective)
• The koala feels good today (adjective)
• Animals eat well in the zoo. (adverb)
• The animal looks well today (Adjective)
• A bad myth is too phony to be true. (adjective)
• The koala felt bad after eating. (adjective)
• He tells stories badly. Adverb)
What is a double negative?
• A double negative occurs when two
negative words are used in a single
sentence.
Ex. I can’t hardly believe that two people
flushed a pet alligator into the sewer.
I can hardly believe that two people
flushed a pet alligator into the sewer.
Ex. You won’t find no proof of this story.
You won’t find any proof of this story.
What are the rules for using demonstrative
pronouns as adjectives?
• This, that, these and those are demonstrative
adjectives
• There are three rules to remember when using these
demonstrative adjectives
• They must agree in number with the words that they
modify
Ex. These kinds (plural) or this kind (sing.)
• Never use here or there with these demonstrative
adjectives
Ex This here or that there
• Never use the pronoun them as an adjective in place of
these or those
Ex. Them people
How do you use Adjectives and
Adverbs in Comparisons?
• Adjectives and adverbs have special forms for making
comparisons
• There are two degrees of comparisons
The comparative and the superlative degree
• The comparative degree is formed when two things are
being compared.
Ex. Evans is a stronger pitcher than Richardson
This quilt looks prettier that that one.
The superlative degree is formed when a person or thing is
compared three or more things are being compared?
Ex. A coyote is the smartest of all animals.
Kevin has the smallest part in the play.
How are regular comparisons
formed?
• Most modifiers are changed in regular ways to
show comparisons:
• Add er o est to one or two syllable words to form
the comparative or superlative
• Use more or most to form the comparative or
superlative:
• to some two syllable words
• To words words with more than two syllables
• to avoid awkward sound To adverbs ending in ly
How is the comparative and superlative
formed for irregular comparisons?
• Some modifiers have irregular comparisons and
superlatives
Ex. Good
better
best
well
better
best
Far
farther further farthest furthest
Bad
worse
worst
much
more
most
many
more
most
little
less
least
What are some problems with
comparisons?
• Do not use er and more to form the comparative.
Ex. The actor’s eyes were more yellower than a wolf’s.
• Do not use est with most to form the superlative
• He wears the most hairiest makeup I’ve ever seen.
• When comparing something that is part of a larger group
to the group itself use other or else to avoid an illogical
comparison.
• I think a werewolf is more mysterious than any monster
(illogical)
• I think a werewolf is more mysterious than any other
monster .(logical)