MODIFIERS
MODIFIERS
• Modifiers such as adjectives and adverbs are as important as
the nouns and verbs. In fact they both belong to the major
words in the parts of speech. Major Words carry meaning;
hence, they are labeled as 'content' words.
• Modifiers add color, emotion, richness, and life to sentences.
While it is true that sentences are still sentences even without
modifiers, but with them, sentences are put to the next level.
ADJECTIVES
Ø is a word that describes a noun or a pronoun.
Ø It expresses a quality or attribute of a noun or a pronoun
and usually answers the questions What kind...?, How
many...?, How much..?, and Which one..?'.
ADJECTIVES
1. Nadine is using her new dress.
2. Her dress makes her look more sophisticated.
3. The long brown lace on her waist defined her sexy
curves.
4. I am also captivated by cute and elegant pouch.
5. Her classy look tonight sets her apart from the crowd.
ADD ON! ADJECTIVES
Ø Most adjectives come before the nouns they modify. Sometimes
adjectives follow linking verbs and modify the subject, as in the
example below. These adjectives are called predicate adjectives.
• These inventions are important.
Ø Some adjectives are formed from proper nouns and begin with a
capital letter. These are called proper adjectives.
Proper adjectives are adjectives formed from proper nouns.
Ø Proper adjectives often have the same form as the noun. Others are
formed by adding an ending to the noun form.
ADJECTIVES
FORMING PROPER ADJECTIVES
PROPER NOUN PROPER ADJECTIVE
Oranges from Florida Florida oranges
A symphony by Mozart A Mozart symphony
Food from Italy Italian food
ADD ON! Articles and Demonstratives
Ø The words a, an, and the are special kinds of adjectives. They are
called articles.
Ø The points to a specific item or items. A and an refer to any one item
of a group. Use a before words that begin with a consonant sound. Use
an before words that begin with a vowel sound.
• William Shakespeare is the most famous English playwright.
• Getting a lead role in a Shakespeare play is an honor.
ADD ON! Articles and Demonstratives
Ø The words this, that, these, and those are called demonstrative
adjectives. They are used to point out something.
• Take this umbrella with you. That store is closed.
• Take these boots also. Those clouds are lovely.
ADD ON! Articles and Demonstratives
Ø Use this and that with singular nouns. Use these and those with plural
nouns.
Ø Use this and these to point out something that is close to you.
Ø Use that and those to point out something that is far from you.
DETERMINERS
SINGULAR PLURAL
NEAR this these
FAR that those
Demonstratives can be used with nouns or without them. When used alone, they
are called demonstrative pronouns.
*This is mine. *These are for you.
ADJECTIVES
Degrees of Comparison
1. Positive degree is used to express or describe the quality
of a single noun or pronoun.
Examples:
Cristina is tall.
Fran is attractive.
Valerie is smart.
ADJECTIVES
Degrees of Comparison
2. Comparative degree is used to express comparison
between two nouns or pronouns.
a. add -er or -r to one syllable adjectives
fine- finer large- large
nice- nicer safe- safer
b. double the last consonant of some adjective before
adding -er
hot- hotter fat- fatter
big - bigger sad- sadder
ADJECTIVES
c. change the consonant y to i and add -er for adjectives ending in y
crazy- crazier happy-happier
busy – busier pretty- prettier
d. use more/less for two-syllable adjectives with affixes
careless - more careless stressful- less stressful
pleasant- more pleasant amusing- less amusing
e. use more/less for adjectives with three or more syllables
fascinating - more fascinating challenging- less challenging
beautiful- more beautiful important- less important
ADJECTIVES
3. Superlative degree is used to compare three or more nouns or
pronouns. Always use the article the before the adjective in the
superlative degree.
a. add -est to one syllable adjectives
fine- (the) finest large- (the) largest
nice- (the) nicest safe- (the) safest
b. double the last consonant of some adjective before adding -est
hot- (the) hottest fat- (the) fattest
big- (the) biggest sad- (the) saddest
ADJECTIVES
c. change the consonant y to i and add -est for adjectives ending in y
crazy- (the) craziest happy- (the) happiest
busy- (the) busiest pretty- (the) prettiest
d. use most/least for two-syllable adjectives with affixes
careless- (the) most careless stressful- (the) least stressful
pleasant- (the) most pleasant amusing- (the) least amusing
e. use most/least for adjectives with three or more syllables
fascinating- (the) most fascinating challenging- (the) least challenging
beautiful- (the) most beautiful important- (the) least important
ADJECTIVES
COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE FORMS
ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
small smaller smallest
dark darker darkest
active more active most active
intelligent more intelligent most intelligent
IRREGULAR COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE FORMS
ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
good better best
bad worse wost
much, many more most
little less least
ADJECTIVES
4. Absolute adjectives are those that do not form their comparative
and superlative degrees because they cannot be used in comparison.
perfect wrong only
correct unique single
Basic Patterns for a Series of Adjectives
Determiners Intensifiers Quality Shape Color Another Head noun
Number noun
The very luscious round dark chocolate cake
A more emotional brown Filipino movie
Two super cute little puppies
Basic Patterns for a Series of Adjectives
Determiners Opinion Size Age Shape Color Origin Material Purpose Noun
Number
Four generous small old round red German metal sleeping man
Basic Patterns for a Series of Adjectives
Determiners Opinion Size Age Shape Color Origin Material Purpose Noun
Number
1. She was a beautiful, tall, thin, young, black-
haired, Scottish woman.
2. What an amazing, little, old, Chinese cup and saucer!
3. I bought a beautiful, long, red, Italian, silk tie.
4. Let’s order a delicious, huge, rectangular, pepperoni pizza.
5. We all love our smart, petite, British teacher.
ADVERBS
Ø an adverb modifies verbs, adjective, other adverbs, or
sentences.
Ø Adverb answers the questions: How? When? Why? To
what degree? or to what extent of quality/quantity?
ADVERBS
1. KC cried loudly when he realized that his wallet was missing.
(modifies verb).
2. A lot of people almost died of hunger due to quarantine (modifies
verb)
3. The performances during the show were absolutely great. (modifies
adjectives)
4. The two-year-old girl speaks more clearly than the five-year-old.
(modifies adverb)
5. Unfortunately, the plan did not materialize. (modifies sentence)
ADVERBS
Position of Adverbs in the Sentence
1. Adverb normally follow the verb they modify.
• Young people love listening to Moira because she sings
emotionally.
2. Adverbs of frequency and place are normally placed-
a. between the subject and the verb
• I frequently check my phone for messages or calls.
b. after the linking verb
• She is always excellent in all her subjects.
c. between verb phrases
• You can never rely on people who are selfish.
ADVERBS
Position of Adverbs in the Sentence
3. Adverbs of time and succession are placed at the beginning or at
the end of the sentence
• Last night, Aldrin proposed to Jane.
• The wedding happened yesterday.
4. Adverbs of degree and measure are placed next to the words they
modify
• Liezl is much happier now than she was years back.
ADVERBS
Position of Adverbs in the Sentence
5. Adverbs usually come immediately before the adjectives or
adverbs
they modify
• Ma'am Visi speaks very motherly.
• The bridge is pretty wide.
6. Adverbs of assertion appear before the sentence.
• Honestly, I cannot attend the wedding.
ADVERBS
POSITIONING OF ADVERBS
POSITION EXAMPLES
Before the verb Guests often dined in the State Dining Room.
Afetr the verb Guests dined often in the State Dining Room.
At the beginning Often guests dined in the State Dining Room.
At the end Guests dined in the State Dining Room often.
Most adverbs are formed by adding -ly to an adjective, as in actively,
fondly, and quietly. Some adverbs are exceptions, however. These
include after, often, now, and later.
ADVERBS
Degrees of Comparison
1. add -er or -est to adverbs with one syllable
• near- nearer- nearest early - earlier- earliest
2. use more/most or less/least with adverbs of more than one syllable
• clearly - more clearly - most clearly
• happily - more happily- most happily
3. few irregular adverbs change their spelling
• well - better- best
• badly- worse -worst
• litle - less - least
ADD ON!
Adverbs Modifying Adjectives and Adverbs
Adverbs are often used to modify adjectives and other adverbs.
Notice how adverbs intensify the meaning of the adjectives in the following
sentences. Most often they tell how.
• Harry Truman used extremely direct language.
• He became a very popular president.
In the first sentence, the adverb extremely modifies the adjective direct.
The adverb tells how direct Truman’s language was.
In the second sentence, the adverb very modifies the adjective popular.
The adverb tells how popular Truman was.
ADD ON!
Adverbs Modifying Adjectives and Adverbs
In the sentences below, adverbs modify other adverbs.
• Truman entered politics unusually late in life.
• He moved through the political ranks quite quickly.
In the first sentence above, the adverb unusually modifies the adverb late.
Unusually tells how late Truman entered politics.
In the second sentence, the adverb quite describes the adverb quickly.
Quite tells how quickly Truman moved through the ranks.
When modifying adjectives and other adverbs, adverbs almost always
come directly before the word they describe. Below is a list of some
adverbs that are often used to describe adjectives and other adverbs.
ADD ON!
Adverbs Modifying Adjectives and Adverbs
ADVERBS OFTEN USED TO DESCRIBE ADJECTIVES AND OTHER ADVERBS
very really rather just
too so nearly somewhat
almost partly barely totally
quiet extremely unusually hardly
References:
• (Glencoe Writer's Choice) McGraw-Hill Glencoe - Glencoe Writer's Choice_ Grammar and Composition, Grade 12-The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. (2009) (1)
• - Writer's choice _ grammar and composition-Glencoe_McGraw-Hill (2001)
• English Language Proficiency(Authors:PaulineBatang, ElizabethBautista,MarieClaudetteCalanoga, MaritesCatabay,
MaridenCauilan,AllanDelaCruz,ShellaDelaCruz,LauranaLingan,MaribelMalana,JomelManuel,RiaTamayo,ConchitaTemporal)
