Grammar
Adjectives:
Definition:
Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns.
They can appear before nouns or after linking verbs.
Before the noun:
Example:
He dropped the hot plate.
Examples: “That is a cute puppy.” “She likes a high school senior.”
Example:
I have a black cat.
After a linking verb (verbs like ‘be’, ‘become’, and ‘seem’):
Example:
He seems tired.
“That puppy looks cute.” “The technology is state-of-the-art.”
Example:
The view is beautiful. Comparatives and Superlatives:
We form these by adding ‘-er’/‘-est’ or using ‘more’/‘most’.
Example:
She is tall. She is taller than her sister.
She is the tallest person in the class.
Adverbs:
Definition:
Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Often, we add ‘-ly’ to adjectives.
Example:
I walked slowly (describes the verb ‘walk’).
“He speaks slowly” (tells how).
“They arrived today” (tells when).
“Let’s go outside” (tells where).
“Jorge works out strenuously” (tells to what extent).
Example:
They worked quickly.
Comparatives and Superlatives:
We use ‘more’/‘most’ for adverbs.
Example:
She sang loudly. She sang more loudly than her friend.
Adverb or Adjective?
Use an adjective after a linking verb. Replace the verb with ‘be’ to check:
Example:
He smells the hot soup carefully (normal verb).
Example: The soup smells good (linking verb).
Irregular Forms:
Some adverbs don’t follow the ‘-ly’ pattern:
Example:
Careful (adjective): He is always careful. Carefully (adverb):
She put the glasses down carefully.
Example:
Happy (adjective): She looks very happy. Happily (adverb): He sang happily.
Tips:
-ly Rule:
Many adverbs end in -ly, but not all.
If a word can have -ly added to its adjective form, use it to form an adverb.
Example: “She thinks quickly.”
Avoid Traps:
Some linking verbs (e.g., taste, smell, look, feel) require adjectives, not adverbs.
Example:
“Pat’s roses smell sweet.”
Good vs. Well:
“Good” is an adjective; its adverb equivalent is “well”.
Example:
“You did a good job.” “You did the job well.”
