Ch. 12 - 2 Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e Objectives Form the comparative and superlative...

Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e Ch. 12 - 2

Objectives• Form the comparative and

superlative degrees of regular and irregular adjectives and adverbs.

• Use articles correctly and avoid double negatives.

Modifiers: Adjectives and Adverbs


• Use adjectives after linking verbs and use adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

• Punctuate compound and successive independent adjectives correctly.

• Compare degrees of absolute adjectives and make comparisons within a group.



• Place adverbs and adjectives close to the words they modify.



What are modifiers?

• Modifiers are words that describe or limit other words.


What are adjectives?

• Adjectives are modifiers.

• Adjectives describe or limit nouns and pronouns.

Short speeches are the best ones.


What are adverbs?

• Adverbs are modifiers.

• Adverbs describe or limit verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Tomorrow company plans will be carefully implemented.


Regular Forms

Positive Comparative Superlative Adjectives: large larger largest

efficient more most efficient efficient

Adverbs: slowly more most slowly slowly

Adjective and Adverb Forms


Irregular Forms Positive Comparative Superlative Adjectives: good better best

bad worse worst

little less least

Adverbs: well better best

many more most

much more most



• Don’t create a double comparative form by using more or most and the suffix er or est together.

Wrong: Her desk is more neater than mine.

Right: Her desk is neater than mine.



Adjectives as Articles• For ease in pronunciation use an before

words beginning with vowel sounds.

Mary has an excellent idea.

It was an honor to be named top salesperson.

Don’t send an unnecessary e-mail message.

Adjectives That Deserve Special Attention


Adjectives as Articles• Use a before words beginning with

consonant sounds.

They plan to build a new building.

I requested a one-day leave.

A utility stock can be profitable.



This/That• Be sure to use the singular adjectives

this and that with singular nouns.

This kind of paper is excellent.



These/Those• Use the plural adjectives these and those

with plural nouns.

These kinds of paper are cheaper.



Adverbs and Double Negatives• The following adverbs are negative:

no not scarcely hardly barely

Adverbs That Deserve Special Attention


Adverbs and Double Negatives• Avoid creating a double negative by

using a negative adverb with a negative verb.

Incorrect: I couldn’t scarcely hear the phone.

Correct: I could scarcely hear the phone.



Adverbs and Double Negatives• Avoid creating a double negative by

using two negative words.Incorrect:

She didn’t say nothing to the officer.

Correct: She didn’t say anything to the officer.



Correct the following sentence. (The sentence may already be correct.)

1. McDonald’s fries are more better than Burger King’s.

Check your skill . . .



1. McDonald’s fries are more better than Burger King’s.




1. McDonald’s fries are better than Burger King’s.




2. Their advertisement was a unqualified success.




2. Their advertisement was an unqualified success.




3. We drove to an hotel at the beach.




3. We drove to a hotel at the beach.




4. I can hardly hear the music.




4. I can hardly hear the music.

Correct




5. These type of travel accommodations are hard to make.




5. These types of travel accommodations are hard to make.



With Linking Verbs• Use adjectives rather than adverbs

following linking verbs.

The stereo sounds loud. (NOT loudly)

^ linking verb

I feel bad about the news. (NOT badly) ^ linking verb

Adjective and Adverb Problems


To Describe Verbs• Use adverbs to modify verbs.

Don’t take my comments personally.

The engine runs smoothly.



Compound Modifiers• Words joined together to form a single

adjective before a noun should be hyphenated.

This is a one-of-a-kind offer. ^ adjective ^ noun



Compound Modifiers• A few modifiers contain permanent

hyphens, regardless of where they are used in sentences.

High morals are never old-fashioned.

The speaker is well-known.

That Web site is always up-to-date.



Compound Modifiers• Do not place hyphens between ly-

ending adverbs and adjectives that immediately precede nouns.

The newly opened clinic is on Third

Street. ^ adv. ^ adj. ^ n.



Independent Adjectives• Two or more successive adjectives that

independently modify a noun should be separated by commas.

We need an efficient, economical paper shredder.



Independent Adjectives• No comma is needed unless the word

and can be inserted between independent adjectives.

He is driving a tiny sports car.




1. To be successful, you must think positive.




1. To be successful, you must think positively.




2. He took my criticism serious.




2. He took my criticism seriously.




3. Marnie’s well planned presentation was well received.




3. Marnie’s well-planned presentation was well received.




4. Although old fashioned, the kitchen was charming.




4. Although old-fashioned, the kitchen was charming.




5. Dr. Nguyen holds a highly-regarded position.




5. Dr. Nguyen holds a highly regarded position.




6. Our team needs an experienced, skilled programmer.




6. Our team needs an experienced, skilled programmer.

Correct




7. Mr. Terrance is purchasing a luxurious, colonial house.




7. Mr. Terrance is purchasing a luxurious colonial house.



Special Adjectives and Adverbs• Certain forms require special attention.

almost (adverb – nearly)

Almost [NOT most] everybody will be graduating.

most (adjective – greatest in amount)

Most vans need to be replaced.




farther (adverb – actual distance)

He walked farther than anyone else.

further (adverb – additionally)

We will discuss the matter further.




sure (adjective – certain)

Are you sure about the appointment?

surely (adverb – undoubtedly)

She will surely call today.




later (adverb – after expected time)

Can you check your e-mail later today?

latter (adjective – second of two items)

Of the two plans, John prefers the latter.




fewer (adjective – used with countable items and plural nouns)

We have fewer absentees than before.

less (adjective – used with mass items that cannot be counted and singular nouns)

Less interest is allowed on short-term savings.




real (adjective – actual, genuine)

The project was a real success.

really (adverb – actually, truly)

Mandy really enjoyed the program.




good (adjective – desirable) The complete printout looks good.

well (adverb – satisfactorily) Alicia did well in that class.

well (adjective – healthy) Aunt Elsie feels well despite a recent

illness.



Perfect Forms• The following adjectives and adverbs

name perfect or complete (absolute) qualities and cannot logically be compared.

round dead complete perfect true right unique correct straight perpendicular endless

unanimous

Other Adjective and Adverb Usage


• It is possible to compare degrees of perfection or completeness by using such phrases as more nearly and most nearly.

Can you find a more nearly straight route for us to follow?

This report is the most nearly perfect one I have read.



Comparison Within a Group• When the word than is used to

compare a person, place, or thing with other members of a group to which it belongs, be certain to include the word other or the word else in the comparison.

Our real estate agency is larger than any other in the city.



• The inclusion of other or else ensures that the person or thing being compared is separated from other members of the group to which it belongs.

Beth is paid more than anyone else on the staff.



Location of Adjectives and Adverbs• To avoid confusion, place adverbs and

adjectives close to the words they modify.

He said that he had only $1 left.

Only he said that he had $1 left.




Location of Adjectives and Adverbs• To avoid confusion, place adverbs and

adjectives close to the words they modify.

The first three applicants will be interviewed.

The three applicants will be interviewed first.

First, the three applicants will be interviewed.



1. How much further is the airport?




1. How much farther is the airport?




2. He will surely be at the meeting.




2. He will surely be at the meeting.

Correct




3. Less calls were received for the brochure than expected.




3. Fewer calls were received for the brochure than expected.




4. If you do good on the tests, you may be hired.




4. If you do well on the tests, you may be hired.




5. Kim’s account was more accurate than Craig’s.




5. Kim’s account was more nearly accurate than Craig’s.




6. Kendra works harder than anyone in the department.




6. Kendra works harder than anyone else in the department.




7. His paper is the most perfect one written.




7. His paper is the most nearly perfect one written.




1. We hadn’t barely begun to proofread the final copy when Mrs. Chandra asked for it.

Chapter 12 - Quiz



1. We had barely begun to proofread the final copy when Mrs. Chandra asked for it.

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2. Because the sky was overcast, she brought a umbrella.

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2. Because the sky was overcast, she brought an umbrella.

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3. I’m convinced that calling him won’t do no good.

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3. I’m convinced that calling him won’t do any good.

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4. Because less work is being done, less employees are needed.

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4. Because less work is being done, fewer employees are needed.

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5. Apparently I must check into this matter much farther than I originally anticipated.

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5. Apparently I must check into this matter much further than I originally anticipated.

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6. Latonya was pleased at how good her new interview suit fit her.

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6. Latonya was pleased at how well her new interview suit fit her.

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7. Remodeling of both offices was completed satisfactory.

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7. Remodeling of both offices was completed satisfactorily.

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8. Before turning in your papers, be sure to complete the three last essay questions.

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8. Before turning in your papers, be sure to complete the last three essay questions.

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9. New York is larger than any city on the eastern seaboard.

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9. New York is larger than any other city on the eastern seaboard.

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10. Vice President Jackson inspected the newly-installed workplace dividers before he left for his vacation.

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10. Vice President Jackson inspected the newly installed workplace dividers before he left for his vacation.

Chapter 12 - Quiz


ENDEND

Ch. 12 - 2 Mary Ellen Guffey, Business English, 8e Objectives Form the comparative and superlative...

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