CHAPTER 4

Using Adjectives and Adverbs Correctly

You should read this chapter if you need to review or learn about

➜Distinguishing between adjectives and adverbs
➜Comparing with adjectives and adverbs
➜Using adjectives and adverbs correctly
➜Avoiding errors with adjectives and adverbs

Get Started

Recall from Chapter 1 that adjectives and adverbs are modifiers: They tell about a word by describing it. In this chapter, you will learn how to use adjectives and adverbs accurately as you describe people, places, things, and actions. This will make your writing and speech correct as well as colorful!

Is It an Adjective or an Adverb?

Both adjectives and adverbs describe other words.
  • Adjectives describe a noun or pronoun.
  • Adverbs describe a verb, adjective, or other adverb.
Quick Tip

Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to an adjective (poor → poorly; gentle → gently), but a number of common adverbs do not follow this pattern.

Further, some words can be either adjectives or adverbs, depending on how they are used in a sentence.

Adjective: It was a hard exam.
Adverb: I studied hard all week.
Adjective: Herman took the late plane back to Washington.
Adverb: Many of the guests stayed late, so we turned off the lights and went to bed.

Therefore, the only reliable way to tell the difference between adjectives and adverbs is to analyze their function in a sentence. The following chart shows you how to examine sentences to distinguish between adjectives and adverbs.

Modifier Function Example
Adjective Describe nouns I went to an early class.
Adjective Describe pronouns They were suffering with the flu for days.
Adverb Describe verbs Mia awoke early in the morning.
Adverb Describe adverbs Mia awoke very early in the morning.
Adverb Describe adjectives The dawn was really beautiful.

Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Degrees of Comparison

Adjectives and adverbs not only describe things; they also compare them. Adjectives and adverbs have different forms to show degrees of comparison. There are three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. The following list summarizes the three degrees of comparison:

  • Positive: The base form of the adjective or adverb not being used in a comparison.
  • Comparative: The form of the adjective or adverb being used to compare two things.
  • Superlative: The form of the adjective or adverb being used to compare three or more things.

Here’s a cheat sheet:

Degree of Comparison Number of Things Compared Example
Positive degree None Donald is rich.
Comparative degree Two Ross is richer than Donald.
Superlative degree Three or more Bill is the richest of all

The following guidelines show how to form the comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives and adverbs.

  1. In most cases, use -er/-est with one- and two-syllable adjectives or adverbs
Positive Comparative Superlative
poor poorer poorest
rich richer richest
low lower lowest
high higher highest
large larger largest
  1. When an adjective or adverb has three or more syllables, use more and most or less and least to form the comparative and superlative degrees.
Positive Comparative Superlative
uncommon more uncommon most uncommon
unusual more unusual most unusual
adorable more adorable most adorable
delightful more delightful most delightful
attractive less attractive least attractive
popular less popular least popular

  1. If the word sounds awkward, break the rule.

    For example, since just has one syllable, the comparative form should be juster and the superlative form should be justest. However, since this sounds odd, we use more just and most just. Listen to the word to identify the most natural-sounding form of the comparative or superlative degree. When in doubt, consult your dictionary.

  2. Never use both -er and more, or -est and most, with the same modifier.

    Never use double comparisons. For example, never say “the most furthest.” Instead, say “furthest.” Never say the “least happiest.” Instead, say “least happy.”

  3. All adverbs that end in -ly form their comparative and superlative degrees with more and most

Positive Comparative Superlative
smoothly more smoothly most smoothly
easily more easily most easily
calmly more calmly most calmly
gracefully more gracefully most gracefully
gently more gently most gently
  1. Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms.

    A few adjectives and adverbs don’t follow these rules when they form the comparative and superlative degrees. Unfortunately, they are among the most commonly used modifiers in English, so you’re apt to need them virtually every day. Since they don’t follow a pattern, you just have to bite the bullet and memorize them


Irregular Adjectives and Adverbs
Positive Comparative Superlative
bad worse worst
badly worse worst
far (distance) farther farthest
far further furthest
good better best
ill worse worst
late later later or latest
little (amount) less least
many more most
much more most
some more most
well better best

Good and well are especially tricky. Follow these guidelines:

  • Good is always an adjective.
    You should read this novel: It has a good plot.

    Rory traded in her old car for a good one.

  • Well is an adjective used to describe good health.

    You look well in that gorilla suit.

    You sound well—for someone who has laryngitis.

  • Well is an adverb when used to describe anything but health.

    Chef Big Hat cooks well.

    As a result, everyone in his house no doubt eats well!

Comparing with Adjectives and Adverbs

Now that you know how to form the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs, follow these guidelines to make the comparisons correct.

  1. Use the comparative degree (-er or more form) to compare two things.
  2. Your house is bigger than mine.
  3. Your house has more rooms than mine.
  4. Use the superlative form (-est or most to compare three or more things.
  5. The kitchen is the largest room in the house.
  6. It is the most impressive room of all.
Quick Tip

Fewer and less have different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably. Fewer refers to items that can be counted (fewer sandwiches, fewer cookies). Less refers to amounts that can’t be counted (less sugar, less sand, less anger, less filling).

  1. Use other and else correctly in comparisons. When you compare one item in a group with the rest of the group, be sure to include the word other or else. Then your comparison will make sense.

    Confusing comparison: Truman was greater than any American president.

    Logical comparison: Truman was greater than any other American president.

    Confusing comparison: The sinkhole in our front yard is deeper than any in the neighborhood.

    Logical comparison: The sinkhole in our front yard is deeper than any other in the neighborhood.

    Confusing comparison: Tina scored more points than anyone on the badminton team.

    Logical comparison: Tina scored more points than anyone else on the badminton team.

    Confusing comparison: The sumo wrestler is heavier than anyone in the competition.

    Logical comparison: The sumo wrestler is heavier than anyone else in the competition.

  2. Create complete comparisons. Sentences that finish a comparison make sense. Comparisons that are incomplete or that compare illogical items become muddled. This confuses readers and obscures your point.

    Confusing comparison: Jack spends more time playing video games than homework.

    Logical comparison: Jack spends more time playing video games than doing homework.

    Confusing comparison: My suit is more stylish than Nick.

    Logical comparison: My suit is more stylish than Nick’s suit.

Using Predicate Adjectives after Linking Verbs

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of a sentence. Remember that linking verbs describe a state of being or a condition. They include all forms of to be (such as am, is, are, were, was) and verbs related to the senses (look, smell, sound, feel). Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a word that renames or describes it.

Incorrect: This goulash tastes deliciously.

Correct: This goulash tastes delicious.

Use an adjective rather than an adverb after a linking verb. Therefore, use delicious rather than deliciously after the linking verb tastes.

Incorrect: The child felt badly.

Correct: The child felt bad.

Use an adjective rather than an adverb after a linking verb. Therefore, use bad rather than badly after the linking verb felt.

Incorrect: I look awfully in that shade of orange.

Correct: I look awful in that shade of orange.

Use an adjective rather than an adverb after a linking verb. Therefore, use awful rather than awfully after the linking verb look.

Incorrect Sammi is happily.

Correct: Sammi is happy.

Since is (a form of to be) is a linking verb, you must use the adjective happy, not the adverb happily

Quick Tip

Some verbs do double duty: Sometimes they function as linking verbs, but other times they function as action verbs. As linking verbs, these verbs use adjectives as complements. As action verbs, these verbs use adverbs as complements.

Double Negatives

The following words are negatives.
Negative Words
never no nobody
none not nothing
nowhere n’t hardly
barely scarcely l

Quick Tip

The most common negative words in English begin with n. Use this trick to help you remember these words.

Using two negative words in the same clause (group of words) creates a double negative. A double negative is an incorrect usage and should be avoided. To avoid this grammatical error, use only one negative word to express a negative idea.

Double negative: The traveler did not have no energy after the long flight.
Correct: The traveler did not have any energy after the long flight.
or
The traveler had no energy left after the long flight

Double negative: Shakira could not hardly see in the blizzard.
Correct: Shakira could hardly see in the blizzard.
or
Shakira could barely see in the blizzard.

Double negatives are especially likely to cause problems when contractions are used. When the word not is used in a contraction—such as isn’t, doesn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, don’t—the negative tends to slip by. As a result, writers and speakers may add another negative.

Double negative: Billy didn’t bring nothing with him on vacation.
Correct: Billy didn’t bring anything with him on vacation.
or
Billy brought hardly anything with him on vacation.

However, to create understatement, you can use a word with a negative prefix and another negative word. The two most common negative prefixes are un- and -in.

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to take six years to complete a four-year college degree.

The report is not inaccurate, but no one should stake their reputation on it.

✔ Use an adjective to describe a noun or pronoun; use an adverb to describe a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
✔ Use the comparative degree to describe two items; use the superlative degree to describe three or more things.
✔ Be careful when you use an adjective after a linking verb.
✔ Avoid double negatives.
Many adjectives are formed by adding -ly to an adverb.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Some words can be either adjectives or adverbs, depending on how they are used in a sentence.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
The only reliable way to tell the difference between an adjective and an adverb is to memorize a list of words.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Adjectives and adverbs not only describe things, they also compare them.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
The base form of the adjective or adverb not being used in a comparison is called the “positive degree.”
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
The form of an adjective or adverb being used to compare two things is the “superlative degree.”
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
The form of the adjective or adverb being used to compare three or more things is the “comparative degree.”
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
To show comparison in most cases, use -er/-est with one- and two-syllable adjectives or adverbs.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
When an adjective or adverb has three or more syllables, use more and most or less and least to form the comparative and superlative degrees.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Under certain conditions, you can use both -er and more or -est and most with the same modifier.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
All adverbs that end in -ly form their comparative and superlative degrees with more and most.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
The phrase “most smoothly” is in the superlative degree.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
All adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
The superlative form of bad is baddest.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
The superlative form of far is furthest.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Good is always an adjective.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Well is an adverb used to describe good health.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Well is an adjective used to describe anything but health.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Use the comparative degree (-er or more) to compare two things.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Use the superlative form (-est or most) to compare three or more things.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Fewer refers to items that can’t be counted.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Less refers to amounts that can be counted.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
When you compare one item in a group with the rest of the group, be sure to include the word other or else.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of a sentence.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Use an adverb rather than an adjective after a linking verb.
  1. FALSE
  2. TRUE
Using two negative words in the same clause (group of words) creates a double negative, which should be avoided.
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Hardly is not a negative word.
  1. FALSE
  2. TRUE
To create overstatement, you can use a word with a negative prefix and another negative word.
  1. FALSE
  2. TRUE