Introduction

The subject matter of our term paper is “ A Contrastive Study of Adjectives and Adverbs in English
Fiction”.
Our term paper consists of an introduction, two chapters, a conclusion, and references.
Chapter One. “ An Overview of Adjectives and Adverbs in English “
Language is a powerful tool that enables us to express our thoughts, emotions, and ideas in a clear
and impactful way. Among the various parts of speech that shape language, adjectives and adverbs stand
out for their ability to add depth, specificity, and vivid detail to communication. These modifiers are
crucial for enhancing meaning and enriching narrative, particularly in fiction, where they play an essential
role in character development, setting descriptions, and creating atmosphere. The first chapter of this
study provides a comprehensive overview of adjectives and adverbs, focusing on their functions and
forms in English. It explores how these modifiers contribute to narrative style by examining examples
from literary texts, offering insight into how authors skillfully use them to bring their stories to life.In the
second chapter, we delve deeper into the theoretical perspectives on adjectives, exploring their role in
language. Through the analysis of adjectives in works by Thomas Hardy, we gain a better understanding
of how these modifiers function in literature to enhance narrative meaning.The third chapter focuses on
the degrees of comparison of adjectives and explores how adjectives are modified to indicate comparison,
from the regular formation of comparative and superlative degrees to irregular forms such as "good-
better-best."By analyzing examples from both everyday language and literary sources, this chapter
demonstrates how adjectives can express nuanced shades of meaning, offering a deeper understanding of
their versatility in both formal and informal settings.Together, these chapters provide a holistic
exploration of adjectives and adverbs. Through this study, we aim to uncover the vital role these modifiers
play in shaping language and storytelling.
Chapter Two. “ A Breath Sketch of Adverbs in English “
Adverbs play a crucial role in shaping meaning and providing clarity in the English language. As
modifiers of verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, they serve to express the circumstances surrounding an
action or describe the intensity, frequency, time, place, or manner of that action. This section begins with
a brief sketch of adverbs in English, exploring their primary functions and their evolution as a flexible
part of speech. The distinctions in their syntactical behavior, such as how they modify different parts of
speech, will be examined alongside examples from Ernest Hemingway's works. The next section delves
into the degrees of comparison in adverbs.Through a close analysis of Hemingway's short stories, we will
explore how adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs to create subtle layers of meaning,
enhance emotional expression, or highlight contrasts.In particular, the analysis of adverbs in comparative
and superlative degrees will focus on how Hemingway uses these forms to intensify actions or qualities,
thus providing a deeper emotional resonance. We will also examine irregular adverbs and how they offer
a distinctive, often more complex way to compare actions or states, adding dynamism to the prose.
Through this comprehensive examination of adverbs—both in their traditional and comparative roles—
this section underscores their significant contribution to the clarity, depth, and emotional texture of
narrative language.
The conclusion presents the summary of the whole material.
References present the list of publications used throughout the paper.
 Chapter One
An Overview of Adjectives and Adverbs in English
Language is a powerful tool for expression, and within it, adjectives and adverbs play crucial roles
in enhancing meaning and creating imagery. This paper aims to contrast the use of adjectives and adverbs
in English fiction, examining their functions, forms, and effects on narrative style. By analyzing selected
texts, this study will highlight how authors utilize these modifiers to enrich their storytelling.
Theorists' Opinions about the Adjectives
An adjective expresses a quality of a substance and originates from the Latin term "nömen
adjectivum, " meaning "additional noun." Traditionally, adjectives were a main part of speech in English,
but some words like "the" and "my" are now classified as determiners. Examples of adiectives include:
(1)" It was an interesting event. " (attributive) [3, page 12]
(2)" It seems strange page." (predicative) [3, page 382]
(3)" Nothing essential, in nature or emotion, divided her from them. " (postpositive) [3, page 436]
(4)" It was interesting, impressive." (substantive) [3, page 183]
Historically, adjectives were treated like nouns in Latin and Greek due to their inflection for gender,
number, and case.
In English, adjectives can be:
(1)Prepositive (attributive): "Those of the unhappy partner of the man whose clumsiness had caused
the mishap.”[3, page 92]
(2)Postpositive:
Following a noun: "There was no taking short cuts anywhere, and foot-passengers were compelled
to follow the permanent ways. “[3, page 295]
Linked by a copula: "You are cruel." [3, page 522]
As appositives: "But her father, who is quite as opposed to such flummery as I, says that can be
cured.[3, page 239]"
(3)Nominalized: Adjectives can function as nouns, e.g., “ He told of wondrous conversions of evil
livers of which he had been the instrument, not only amongst the poor, but amongst the rich and well-to-
do.” [3, page 244]
Spelling Rules for Adjectives
(1)Doubling Consonants: If an adjective ends in a consonant preceded by a stressed short vowel,
double the consonant before adding -er or -est.
sad - sadder (the saddest) “Sad October and her sadder self seemed the only two existences haunting
that lane.”[3, page 115]
 big - bigger (the biggest) “One sighed, and another sighed, and Marian’s plump figure sighed
biggest of all.”[3, page 201]
(2)Changing -y to -i: If an adjective ends in -y preceded by a consonant, change -y to -i before
adding -er or -est.
busy → busier (the busiest) “Tess tried to busy herself again over the breakfast-table with more or
less success.”[3, page 350]
happy - happier (the happiest) “With the local banker he
deposited the jewels till happier days should arise.” [3, page 389]
(3)Dropping -e: If an adjective ends in -e, drop the -e before adding -er or -est.
brave - braver (the bravest) “It isn’t a brave bouncing girl like you who asks that?” [3, page 72]
fine - finer (the finest) “As everybody knows, fine feathers make fine birds” [3, page 324]
Syntactical Characteristics
Adjectives can function as attributes or predicates:
Attribute: "A year had now elapsed since
her sad marriage. “[3, page 433]
Predicative: "Her sister was too tired.“[3, page 504]
Morphological Composition
Adjectives are classified into:
(1)Simple: No prefixes or suffixes (e.g., good, red). “Upon the whole it seemed a good thing to do.”
[3, page 566]
(2)Derivative: Include prefixes or suffixes (e.g., beautiful, unkind).
Productive Suffixes: -less (friendless), -like (childlike), -ish (foolish).
Unproductive Suffixes: -ful (careful), -ous (dangerous).
Productive Prefixes: un- (unhappy), pre- (prewar).
Unproductive Prefixes: in-/ir-/im- (incorrect).
(3)Compound: Formed from two or more stems:
Noun + Adjective: snow-white
Noun + Participle: life-giving
Adjective + Adjective: deaf-mute
Adjective + Noun + -ed: cold-hearted
Noun + Noun + -ed: lynx-eyed
Numeral + Noun + -ed: four-wheeled
Adverb + Noun + -ed: over-peopled
Classification of Adjectives
 Adjectives can be classified into two main categories based on meaning and grammatical
characteristics:
(1)Qualitative Adjectives: These directly describe qualities of a substance, such as size, shape,
color, and general qualities (e.g., little, large, soft, beautiful). “Some had beautiful eyes, others a beautiful
nose, others a beautiful mouth and figure.”[3, page 14]
(2)Relative Adjectives: These describe qualities in relation to materials, place, time, or actions (e.g.,
silken, Italian, monthly, preparatory). “He had nothing to do with preparatory labour. “[3, page 476]
Substantivized Adjectives
Substantivized adjectives exhibit some noun characteristics while retaining their adjectival origins.
They are divided into:
(1)Wholly Substantivized: These have all noun traits, including plural forms and articles (e.g., a
native → natives, eatables, valuables).
(2)Partially Substantivized: These possess some noun traits and are often used with articles.
They denote whole classes (e.g., the rich, the poor) or abstract concepts (e.g., the good, the past).
Nationalities can also be wholly (e.g., a Russian - Russians) or partially substantivized (e.g., the
English, the French).
To sum up the subchapter, we can note, that adjectives play a vital role in the English language by
expressing qualities and characteristics of nouns. Their classification into qualitative and relative
adjectives highlights their diverse functions in describing both inherent traits and contextual relationships.
Furthermore, understanding the rules governing spelling and the morphological composition of
adjectives enriches our grasp of their usage. The concept of substantivized adjectives illustrates how these
descriptors can transition into noun-like forms, thereby expanding their applicability in language. Overall,
adjectives enhance clarity and depth in communication, allowing for more nuanced expression.

1.3. The Analysis of Adjectives Based on Thomas Hardy’s Work

Adjectives in English can function in several ways within a sentence, modifying nouns, linking with
copulas, or even standing in as nouns. Now we will analyze each of the examples in the context of the
different categories of adjectives and grammatical constructions:
(1) "It was an interesting event." [3, page 12]
Analysis:The adjective "interesting" is attributive, which means it directly modifies the noun
"event" by describing its quality. In attributive use, adjectives typically appear before the noun they
modify, making them a part of the noun phrase.
What refers to the function, "interesting" specifies the nature of the "event, " offering an evaluative
description.
(2) "It seems strange." [3, page 382]
 Analysis:The adjective "strange" is used predicatively here. In this construction, the adjective
follows the copula verb ("seems") and describes the subject "it." Predicative adjectives are linked to the
subject through a linking verb (e.g., "seems, " "is, " "was, " "are").
What refers to the function, the adjective "strange" describes the subject "it, " indicating its state or
quality.
(3)"Nothing essential, in nature or emotion, divided her from them." [3, page 436]
Analysis:
"Essential" is a postpositive adjective because it follows the noun "nothing." In English, adjectives can
sometimes be placed after the noun they modify, especially in literary or formal contexts. This structure
can be used to emphasize the adjective or create a particular rhythm in the sentence.
What refers to the function, the adjective "essential" provides additional information about
"nothing, " specifying what kind of "nothing" is being referred to, namely, an essential quality.
(4) "It was interesting, impressive." [3, page 183]
Analysis:
Here, both "interesting" and "impressive" are used substantively. In this case, the adjectives are not
modifying a noun but rather standing alone, functioning as noun equivalents. This often occurs in
contexts where adjectives take on a more abstract, nominalized role.
What refers to the function, the adjectives "interesting" and "impressive" are used to refer to
abstract qualities or general ideas, replacing a noun such as "things" or "aspects." This allows the sentence
to focus on the qualities rather than specific objects.
(5) "Those of the unhappy partner of the man whose clumsiness had caused the mishap." [3, page
92]
Analysis:
"Unhappy" is a prepositive adjective, as it modifies the noun "partner" before it. This is typical of
attributive adjectives in English, which usually precede the noun they describe.
What refers to the function, the adjective "unhappy" provides specific information about the partner,
giving us insight into their emotional state.
(6)"There was no taking short cuts anywhere, and foot-passengers were compelled to follow the
permanent ways." [3, page 295]
Analysis:
"Permanent" is a postpositive adjective here because it follows the noun "ways" rather than preceding it.
This construction is typical in more formal or literary contexts.
What refers to the function, the adjective "permanent" describes the noun "ways, " indicating that
they are not temporary or subject to change.
 (7) "You are cruel." [3, page 522]
Analysis:
"Cruel" is a predicative adjective linked to the subject "You" by the copula verb "are." Predicative
adjectives often follow linking verbs like "are, " "is, " "was, " etc., and describe the subject of the
sentence.
What refers to the function, "cruel" directly describes the subject "You, " expressing an attribute or
state of being.
(8) "But her father, who is quite as opposed to such flummery as I, says that can be cured." [3, page
239]
Analysis:
"opposed" functions as a postpositive adjective in this appositive construction, where it describes "her
father." An appositive is a noun or adjective that follows and explains another noun.
What refers to the function, the adjective "opposed" tells us more about the noun "father, "
explaining his stance or attitude towards "flummery."
(9) "He told of wondrous conversions of evil livers of which he had been the instrument, not only
amongst the poor, but amongst the rich and well-to-do." [3, page 244]
Analysis:
"wondrous" is an adjective used nominally here, meaning it is used as a noun substitute. In nominalized
form, adjectives can function as abstract concepts or things, often referring to phenomena, qualities, or
ideas.
What refers to the function, the adjective "wondrous" acts as a noun, referring to a concept or
phenomenon related to the conversions described in the sentence.
(10) "Some had beautiful eyes, others a beautiful nose, others a beautiful mouth and figure." [3, p.
14]
Analysis:
"Beautiful" is a qualitative adjective because it describes an inherent quality or characteristic of the nouns
it modifies (eyes, nose, mouth, figure). Qualitative adjectives often describe size, shape, color, or other
general qualities.
What refers to the function, the adjective "beautiful" gives a positive evaluation of the physical
traits mentioned.
(11) "He had nothing to do with preparatory labour." [3, p. 476]
Analysis:
"Preparatory" is a relative adjective, which indicates a relationship to a particular action or time (in this
case, labor). Relative adjectives often describe a noun in terms of its function or association with
something else.
What refers to the function, "preparatory" qualifies "labour" by indicating that the labor is of a type
that precedes another task or activity.
(12) "Upon the whole it seemed a good thing to do." [3, p. 566]
Analysis:
"Good" is a simple adjective, meaning it does not contain any prefixes or suffixes and stands alone in its
basic form.
What refers to the function, "good" is used here to directly describe the noun "thing" without
modification, indicating its general quality.
Spelling Rules for Adjectives
(1) Doubling Consonants
Rule: If an adjective ends in a consonant preceded by a stressed short vowel, the consonant is
doubled before adding "-er" or "-est."
“Sad October and her sadder selfseemed the only two existences haunting that lane.” [3, page 115]
sad → sadder
big → bigger
Analysis: These examples follow the standard rule of doubling the final consonant when forming
comparatives or superlatives for adjectives like "sad" and "big."
(2) Changing -y to -i
Rule: If an adjective ends in -y preceded by a consonant, the -y changes to -i before adding "-er" or
"-est."
“With the local banker he deposited the jewels till happier days should arise.”[3, page 389]
busy → busier
happy → happier
Analysis: Adjectives like "busy" and "happy" follow this rule when forming the comparative form.
(3) Dropping -e
Rule: If an adjective ends in -e, the -e is dropped when adding "-er" or "-est."
“As everybody knows, fine feathers make fine birds” [3, page 324]
brave → braver
fine → finer
Analysis: Adjectives like "brave" and "fine" drop the final -e before adding comparative or
superlative endings.
 To sum up the chapter, we can note, that chapter one provides an in-depth analysis of adjectives and
adverbs in English, with a focus on their functions, forms, and syntactical roles in narrative. The study
contrasts the use of adjectives and adverbs in English fiction, highlighting how authors employ these
modifiers to enrich storytelling.
Key Points:
(1)Adjectives
- Adjectives describe qualities of a noun and can function in different positions (e.g., attributive,
predicative, postpositive, or substantive).
- They are classified into simple, derivative, and compound types, with various affixes altering
their meaning.
- Adjectives can be compared using comparative and superlative forms (e.g., "good, better, best"),
and some adjectives have irregular forms (e.g., "good-better-best").
- Substantivized adjectives, which retain some noun characteristics, can denote abstract concepts or
entire groups (e.g., "the rich").
(2)Spelling Rules
- Adjectives follow specific spelling rules when forming comparatives and superlatives. These
include doubling consonants, changing -y to -i, and dropping -e (e.g., "big → bigger, " "happy → happier,
" "fine → finer").
(3)Syntactical and Morphological Characteristics
- Adjectives can modify nouns directly (attributive) or follow linking verbs (predicative).
- They can also be nominalized, functioning as nouns (e.g., "wondrous" in "wondrous
conversions").
- Comparative and superlative forms often involve suffixes like "-er" or "-est, " but longer
adjectives may use "more" or "most" for comparison.
Adjectives and adverbs are essential tools in English language that shape meaning, comparison, and
imagery in both narrative and descriptive contexts. Through examples from Thomas Hardy's works, the
text illustrates the versatile roles these modifiers play in English grammar.
Chapter Two
An overview of Adverbs in English
2.1.A Breath Sketch of Adverbs in English
The adverb is a part of speech which expresses some circumstances that attend an action or state, or
points out some characteristic features of an action or a quality.
 Adverbs typically express manner, place, time, frequency, degree, or level of certainty by answering
questions such as how, in what way, when, where, to what extent. This is called the adverbial function and
may be performed by an individual adverb, by an adverbial phrase, or by an adverbial clause.
Adverbs are traditionally regarded as one of the parts of speech. Modern linguists note that the term
adverb has come to be used as a kind of "catch-all" category, used to classify words with various types of
syntactic behavior, not necessarily having much in common except that they do not fit into any of the
other available categories (noun, adjective, preposition, etc.).
Functions
The English word adverb derives (through French) from Latin adverbium, from ad- ('to'), verbum
('word', 'verb'), and the nominal suffix - ium. The term implies that the principal function of adverbs is to
act as modifiers of verbs or verb phrases. An adverb used in this way may provide information about the
manner, place, time, frequency, certainty, or other circumstances of the activity denoted by the verb or
verb phrase. Some examples:
(1)“He circled them once more to make them roar more loudly. “. (loudly modifies the verb roar,
indicating the manner of roaring) [1, page 389]
2)“Monsieur has worked here for three years.” (here modifies the verb has worked, indicating
place)[1, page 352]
(3)“He offered it to me yesterday.” (yesterday modifies the verb offered, indicating time)[1, page
442]
(4)“He had thought so often looking back on things.”(often modifies the verb had thought,
indicating frequency) [1, page 491]
(5)“But monsieur can remember them
surely.” (surely modifies the verb remember, indicating certainty) [1, page 532]
Adverbs can also be used as modifiers of adjectives, and of other adverbs, often to indicate degree.
Examples:
(1)“He had thought so often looking back on things.”(often modifies the verb had thought,
indicating frequency) [1, page 491]
(2)”But monsieur can remember themsurely.” (surely modifies the verb remember, indicating
certainty) [1, page 532]

They can also modify determiners, prepositional phrases, or whole clauses or sentences, as in the
following examples:
(1)“Practically every one is divorced.”[1, page 261]
 (2)”The right tusk was as thick as his own thigh and it curved down almost to the ground.”[1, page
441]
Adverbs thus perform a wide range of modifying functions. The major exception is the function of
modifier of nouns, which is performed instead by adjectives (compare she sang loudly with her loud
singing disturbed me; here the verb sang is modified by the adverb loudly, whereas the noun singing is
modified by the adjective loud). However, because some adverbs and adjectives are homonyms, their
respective functions are sometimes conflated:
"He was going to the right toward the window."
Here, "right" refers to the direction, as in opposite of left.
"That’s the right way to do it."
In this case, "right" means something correct or morally appropriate.
Adverbs can sometimes be used as predicative expressions; in English, this applies especially to
adverbs of location:
(1)“I said the copies were there too. “ [1, page 532]
(2)““Landscape with Figures, ”which is published here for the first time. “[1, page 12]
When the function of an adverb is performed by an expression consisting of more than one word, it
is called an adverbial phrase or adverbial clause, or simply an adverbial.
To sum up the subchapter, we can note, that adverbs are versatile words that enrich the meaning of
verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, clarifying the circumstances of an action or quality. They perform a variety
of functions, including indicating time, place, manner, frequency, and degree. Despite their wide usage,
their distinction from adjectives is key in understanding sentence structure.
2.2.The Degrees of Comparison of Adverbs
Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Like adjectives, adverbs also
have degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. These degrees are used to compare
actions or states of being in different ways, depending on the context.
(1)Positive Degree
The positive degree is the basic form of an adverb, and it is used when no comparison is being
made. It simply describes how something is done.
Definition: The adverb in its simplest form, used to describe an action without any comparison.
Structure: No change to the adverb; it remains in its basic form.

(1)“Her blonde hair was cut short and grew beautifully away from her forehead.” [1, page 242]
(2)“He circled them once more to make them roar more loudly.” [1, page 389]
 (2) Comparative Degree
The comparative degree is used when comparing two actions or states. It typically involves adding -
er or using more/less before the adverb, depending on the length and structure of the adverb.
Definition: The adverb is used to show the difference in the way two actions or events are carried
out.
Structure:
For short adverbs (usually one syllable), add -er to the adverb.
For longer adverbs (typically two or more syllables), use more or less before the adverb.
(1)“There couldn’t be more simply beautiful birds.” [1, page 436]
(2)“Kzar came on faster than I’d ever seen anything in my life.”[1, page 127]
(3) Superlative Degree
The superlative degree is used when comparing three or more actions or states. It describes the
highest or lowest degree of something.
Definition: The adverb is used to indicate the extreme or utmost degree of an action, compared to
all others.
Structure:
For short adverbs (one syllable), add -est.
For longer adverbs (two or more syllables), use most or least before the adverb.
(1)“He apologized to me in the most gentlemanly way.” [1, page 493]
(2)“ “No hay derecho, ” the waiter said. This means, “You have no right to do that, ” and is the
simplest and the strongest protest in Spain.” [1, page 347]
Irregular Adverbs
Some adverbs are irregular in their forms of comparison, meaning they don't follow the standard
rules of adding -er, -est, or using more/most. These adverbs have their own comparative and superlative
forms, which must be memorized.
well → better → best
badly → worse → worst
far → farther or further → farthest or furthest
(1)“The second one always tastes better than the first.” [1, page 528]
(2)“Perhaps is an ugly word, he thought, but it is even worse on the end of your cigar.” [1, page
500]
(3)“They saw much farther and much quicker than the human eye sees.” [1, page 297]
Short Adverbs (One-Syllable Adverbs)
 Short adverbs, particularly those with one syllable, generally form the comparative by adding -er
and the superlative by adding -est.
fast → faster → fastest
hard → harder → hardest
early → earlier → earliest
(1)“You’ll have to pull harder than this tomorrow.” [1, page 204]
(2)“Now, knowing how it had all been, even remembering the earliest times before things had gone
badly was not good remembering.” [1, page 298]
Long Adverbs (Two or More Syllables)
Adverbs with two or more syllables typically use more or most for the comparative and superlative
forms, though there are exceptions (e.g., *better* instead of *more well*).
carefully → more carefully → most carefully
quickly → more quickly → most quickly
beautifully → more beautifully → most beautifully
(1)“No, ” he told me, even more proudly.” [1, page 372]
(2)“To me it is most interesting thing which I have seen for some time.” [1, page 351]
3. Adverbs Ending in -ly
Adverbs that end in -ly (such as *quickly*, *slowly*, *happily*) generally follow the same pattern
as other long adverbs and use more and most for the comparative and superlative forms.
slowly → more slowly → most slowly
happily → more happily → most happily

To sum up the subchapter, we can note that, the degrees of comparison of adverbs are an essential
part of understanding how actions are compared in English. The positive degree describes an action
without comparison, the comparative degree compares two actions, and the superlative degree compares
three or more actions, showing the extreme or highest degree. Irregular adverbs have unique forms, while
longer adverbs follow the pattern of using more and most. Understanding these forms will help you
express differences in actions and qualities more effectively.
2.3.The Analysis of Adverbs Based on Ernest Hemingway’s Short Stories
Adverbs Modifying Verbs
Hemingway often uses adverbs to describe the manner, frequency, certainty, and time of an action.
These adverbs serve to give the reader deeper insight into the actions or states of characters.
(1) "He circled them once more to make them roar more loudly."
 Analysis: Here, the adverb *loudly* modifies the verb *roar*, indicating the manner in which the
roaring occurs. Hemingway often employs simple yet vivid descriptions of actions, and this is a good
example of how a straightforward adverb enhances the reader’s understanding of the action’s intensity.
(2) "He offered it to me yesterday."
Analysis: The adverb *yesterday* modifies *offered*, providing a temporal context to the action.
This use of adverbs of time, often subtle, helps ground the story in a specific timeframe, adding a layer of
realism without elaborating on the context.
(3) "He had thought so often looking back on things."
Analysis: *Often* modifies *had thought*, showing the frequency of the character’s reflection.
This is a typical Hemingway device, where simple, direct statements evoke deeper psychological states in
his characters, often without overtly explaining them.
(4) "But monsieur can remember them surely."
Analysis: *Surely* modifies *remember*, indicating certainty. Hemingway frequently uses adverbs
like *surely* to convey a quiet confidence or certainty in his characters’ thoughts or actions, reinforcing
their inner resolve or doubts.
Adverbs Modifying Adjectives and Other Adverbs
Some of Hemingway’s adverbs modify adjectives or other adverbs, indicating degree or intensity.
(1) "He had thought so often looking back on things."
Analysis: While *often* modifies the verb *had thought*, its placement here emphasizes how often
the character reflects on the past, which hints at a theme of regret or unresolved emotions. The adverb
amplifies the emotional weight of the reflection.
(2) "But monsieur can remember them surely."
Analysis: In this case, *surely* modifies the adverb *remember*, emphasizing the character's
certainty in recalling past events. Hemingway often uses such adverbs to evoke subtle nuances in
characters’ attitudes, their inner conflict, or their self-assurance.
Adverbs Modifying Whole Clauses or Sentences
Hemingway also employs adverbs that affect larger parts of the sentence, often enhancing the mood
or tone of the narrative.
(1) "Practically every one is divorced."
Analysis: The adverb *practically* modifies the entire clause, softening the statement and hinting at
a broader social commentary. Hemingway’s use of adverbs like *practically* often conveys a sense of
resignation or inevitability, especially in his more existential or reflective moments.
(2) "The right tusk was as thick as his own thigh and it curved down almost to the ground."
 Analysis: *Almost* modifies the prepositional phrase *to the ground*, which subtly emphasizes
how close yet not entirely reaching the ground the tusk was. This use of adverbs adds precision to
descriptions, which is a hallmark of Hemingway’s writing style: clear, concise, and visually evocative.
Adverbs in Comparative and Superlative Degrees
Hemingway also uses adverbs in comparative and superlative degrees, often to compare actions,
states, or qualities.
Comparative Degree:
(1) "There couldn’t be more simply beautiful birds."
Analysis: The adverb *simply* enhances the adjective *beautiful*, indicating that the birds’ beauty
is not only beautiful but also striking in its simplicity. This kind of comparison deepens the emotional
resonance of the description.

(2) "Kzar came on faster than I’d ever seen anything in my life."
Analysis: *Faster* is the comparative form of the adverb *fast*, highlighting the speed of Kzar’s
movement. Hemingway uses comparative adverbs to intensify the qualities or experiences of characters,
making their encounters seem more immediate or extraordinary.
Superlative Degree:
(1) "He apologized to me in the most gentlemanly way."
Analysis: *Most gentlemanly* is the superlative form of the adverb *gentlemanly*, which conveys
the highest degree of politeness or formality. This reflects Hemingway’s ability to depict complex
emotional situations with brevity and precision.

(2) "No hay derecho, " the waiter said. This means, "You have no right to do that, " and is the
simplest and the strongest protest in Spain."
Analysis: The use of *simplest* and *strongest* emphasizes the starkness and the cultural weight
of the protest. It conveys a sense of moral clarity in the character’s actions, underscoring the simplicity
yet power of the sentiment.
Irregular and Short Adverbs
Hemingway also uses irregular and short adverbs effectively to create a more dynamic and
expressive tone.
(1) "The second one always tastes better than the first."
Analysis: *Better* is the comparative form of *well*, demonstrating how Hemingway uses adverbs
in their irregular forms to add emphasis and nuance. The comparative adverb *better* here suggests not
only a physical difference (taste) but also a more subjective evaluation.
 (2) "Perhaps is an ugly word, he thought, but it is even worse on the end of your cigar."
Analysis: *Worse* is the comparative form of *badly*, emphasizing the negative connotation
associated with the word *perhaps*. Hemingway often uses such adverbs to reinforce the emotional
texture of his characters' thoughts, as this example shows a moment of distaste or frustration.
(3) "They saw much farther and much quicker than the human eye sees."
Analysis: *Farther* and *quicker* are comparative adverbs modifying the verb *saw*. The use of
these adverbs highlights the extraordinary abilities of the characters, evoking a sense of the supernatural
or exceptional.
Long Adverbs
Hemingway uses longer adverbs with more than one syllable to further modify actions, creating a
more refined or specific tone.
(1) "No, " he told me, even more proudly."
Analysis: *More* intensifies *proudly*, highlighting the character’s growing sense of pride.
Hemingway often uses such subtle modifications to build layers of meaning, where small words like
*more* carry weight in the emotional subtext.
(2) "To me, it is the most interesting thing which I have seen for some time."
Analysis: *Most* emphasizes the extremity of the character's interest, enhancing the emotional or
intellectual significance of the object or event. Hemingway’s use of superlative adverbs is often
understated, conveying a more reserved yet profound emotional depth.
To sum up the chapter, we can note that, in Hemingway's writing, adverbs are used sparingly but
effectively to modify verbs, adjectives, and entire clauses, adding precision, emotional weight, and a
sense of clarity. The adverbs in these examples serve various functions, from indicating time and place to
intensifying emotions or highlighting subtle contrasts. Hemingway’s careful use of adverbs contributes to
his minimalist style, often suggesting more than what is directly stated, allowing the reader to infer deeper
meanings and emotional undercurrents. This controlled use of adverbs enhances the power of his
storytelling, evoking moods and thoughts without unnecessary elaboration.
In addition to this, adverbs are essential components of English grammar, serving to modify verbs,
adjectives, and even entire clauses to provide additional context regarding manner, time, place, frequency,
degree, and certainty. Adverbs come in various forms and can function in diverse ways, from simple
modifiers to more complex adverbial phrases or clauses. They can be categorized into degrees of
comparison—positive, comparative, and superlative—to indicate varying intensities or qualities of an
action or state. While many adverbs follow regular patterns of comparison, irregular forms also exist,
requiring memorization. Understanding the diverse roles and structures of adverbs enriches
communication by adding nuance and clarity, enhancing the overall precision and expressiveness of
language.
Conclusion
Throughout our survey we have come to the conclusion that the exploration of adjectives and
adverbs in this chapter reveals their indispensable roles in enhancing both the meaning and structure of
the English language.
Adjectives, with their ability to describe and specify the qualities of nouns, are fundamental tools
for adding detail and depth to communication. Their classification into qualitative and relative forms
demonstrates their diverse functions in expressing inherent traits and contextual relationships.
2. The distinction between different types of adjectives—simple, derivative, and compound—
further illustrates their morphological complexity, while the concept of substantivized adjectives expands
their applicability, enabling them to take on noun-like characteristics in various contexts. Additionally, the
rules governing the formation of comparative and superlative adjectives, including the use of suffixes and
irregular forms, highlight the intricacies of English grammar and the ways in which meaning can be
nuanced through degrees of comparison.
Adverbs are vital in shaping the precision and emotional weight of language. Their primary
function is to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, providing crucial information about the time,
place, manner, frequency, and degree of actions or qualities.
4. The degrees of comparison for adverbs—positive, comparative, and superlative—allow for
varying intensities of meaning, contributing to the expression of subtle contrasts and differences in
actions. The irregularities found in certain adverbs, much like adjectives, require attention to their unique
forms, underscoring the complexities of English grammar.
5. The careful use of both adjectives and adverbs in literary works, such as those of Thomas Hardy
and Ernest Hemingway, exemplifies the nuanced roles these modifiers play in narrative and descriptive
writing. Hardy’s rich use of adjectives to depict setting and character contrasts, and Hemingway’s sparse
yet powerful application of adverbs, demonstrate how these parts of speech can be harnessed to evoke
emotion, build tension, and convey deeper meanings. Hemingway’s minimalist approach, in particular,
illustrates how adverbs can be used strategically to suggest more than what is overtly stated, adding layers
of emotional resonance and subtlety to the text.
Overall, adjectives and adverbs are not just grammatical tools; they are vital components of
effective communication that allow speakers and writers to convey detailed meanings, express
comparisons, and evoke moods. Understanding their forms, functions, and usage rules is essential for
mastering the English language.
References
1. Ernest Hemingway, “ The Complete Short Stories”, US, 1987, p. 12-298, 347-532
2. Kaushenskaya V. L., “A Grammar of the English language”, Leningrad, 1973, p. 60-64, 245-246
3. T.T. Hardy, “Tess of the D’ Urbervilles”, UK, 1891, p. 12-183, 201-566
5.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357825858_Adjectives_and_Adverbs_in_English
6.https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-use-adverbs-effectively-when-writing-fiction-clare-black
7.https://inside.tru.ca/2021/02/04/fiction-writing-adverbs-adjectives/