ADJECTIVES X ADVERBS

Definitions:

 Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns. They may come before
the word they describe (That is a cute puppy.) or they may follow the word they
describe (That puppy is cute.).

 Adverbs are words that modify everything but nouns and pronouns. They
modify adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs. A word is an adverb if it
answers how, when, or where.

The only adverbs that cause grammatical problems are those that answer the
question how, so focus on these.

Rule 1

Generally, if a word answers the question how, it is an adverb. If it can have an -

LY added to it, place it there.

Examples:

1. She thinks slow/slowly.

She thinks how? slowly.

2. She is a slow/slowly thinker.

Slow does not answer how, so no -ly is attached. Slow is an adjective here.

3. She thinks fast/fastly.

Fast answers the question how, so it is an adverb. But fast never has an -
ly attached to it.

4. We performed bad/badly.
Badly describes how we performed.
Rule 2

The word good is an adjective, while well is an adverb.

Examples:

1. You did a good job.

Good describes the job.

2. You did the job well.

Well answers how.

3. You smell good today.

Describes your odor, not how you smell with your nose, so follow with the
adjective.

Rule 3

Never drop the -ly from an adverb when using the comparison form.

1. Correct:
She spoke quickly.
She spoke more quickly than he did.

Incorrect:
She spoke quicker than he did.

2. Correct:
Talk quietly.
Talk more quietly.

Incorrect:
Talk quieter.
 Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a group of waterfalls on the border between the United States and
Canada. The Falls are a favorite tourist attraction. The Niagara River drops here and
although the Falls are not deep, they are very wide and the amount of water is
enormous. So it is very noisy near the Falls. That's why the Iroquois tribe, who used to
live here, called the falls Niagara (meaning “thunder of waters”).

Exercise

Choose the correct form (adjective or adverb).

1. Niagara Falls form a ________ (natural/naturally) border between the United

States and Canada.
2. Tourists visit this place _________ (frequently/frequent).
3. The Falls are very ________ (noisy/noisily).
4. So you must speak _______ (loudly/loud) or nobody can understand you.
5. Many years ago, the Iroquois tribe lived here _________ (peacefully/peaceful).
  Talking about adjectives…

FOCUS ON VOCABULARY – Personality Traits

1. Look at these nouns and adjectives and classify them into positive, negative or
neutral, according to your opinion.

adventurous; ambitious; impatient; organized; practical; reserved; romantic; sociable;

sympathetic; talkative; quiet; a risk-taker; determined; sensitive; a leader; reserved;
curious; a perfectionist; serious; emotional.

POSITIVE NEGATIVE NEUTRAL

Now it’s your turn!!

Write about yourself using these nous (a perfectionist, a risk-taker…) and adjectives
(ambitious, practical…)

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