Adjectives

Adjectives are descriptive words and they describe the noun in context. Adjectives usually
answer the questions like "which", "what kind of", "how many", etc.
The little boy
A new toy
Enough meatloaf
Similar Subjects:
Adverbs
Adjective Vs Noun
Adjectives vs Adverbs Details
Intensifiers
PDF: Forming Adjectives
Exercises / Quizzes:
Adjectives Adverbs Exercises (Classic)
Adjective/Adverbs Multiple Choice

Types of Adjectives

Attributive
Attributives are the ones that come right before the word(s) they modify.
The old man asked a question.
That is a good book.
I found an old, black, cotton sweater.

Appositive
Appositives come after the words they modify. They are usually used in pairs.
The woman, beautiful and smart, knew what she was doing.
The winner, tired but happy, waved and smiled.

Predicate
Predicates come after verb to be or after linking verbs. They come at the end of
the sentence and they modify the subject.
The tickets are expensive.

She looked old.

The oven felt hot.
He was young and shy.

The Order of Adjectives

When there are more than 1 adjectives modifying the same word, they are usually
placed in a certain order.
a- What we think (Lovely, beautiful, intelligent, nice, fine...)
b- Size (small, big, large, short, tall...)
c- Age (young, old...)
d- Shape (round, slim, fat, square...)
e- Color (white, green, red...)
f- Material (plastic, glass, wooden...)
g- Origin (German, Russian, American...)
A nice big house. A big square table.
A lovely little town.
An old plastic pipe.
An expensive Scotch whiskey.
A tall young woman.
Intelligent young Danish scientist.
See Order of Adjectives for another reference with more details.

Present and Past Participles as Adjectives

Ing / Ed - Interesting / Interested
Boring- Causes boredom
Bored- Result of boredom (something boring)
Tiring- Causes tiredness
Tired- Result of something tiring
He is bored with his job.
Because his job is boring (at least to him), it caused him to be bored.
He is boring.

I don't want to be with him because he is a boring person.

He is interested in your offer.
Because your offer is interesting (at least to him), it drew his attention.
He is an interesting man.
He engages attention, you want to know him better.
Some other verb roots that can become adjectives in a sentence by adding ed or
ing
Charm, admire, amaze, amuse, depress, worry, thrill, excite, disgust, disappoint,
discourage, embarrass, fascinate, frighten, frustrate, horrify, irritate, please, satisfy,
shock, startle, stimulate, surprise, terrify, confuse

Degrees of Adjectives

Positive Degree : Expresses a quality without a comparison

The twins are smart.
The tree is tall.
The book is old.

Comparative Degree : Used to compare things to each other.

Form

Use

Example

er

Shorter adjectives
(1 syllable or 2)

hotter area, warmer water

more

longer adjectives
(2 or more syllables)

more interesting subject, mor

couch

more

adjectives that end with ed , ing , 's' (even if they are 1

syllable)

I am more tired , more boring

Fred is taller than Barney.

He is the more aggressive of the two.
Barney is smarter than Fred.
Climbing is more tiring than running.

Superlative Degree : Superlative is the highest or the lowest degree when

comparing two or more things/persons. The inflectional suffix for superlative
degree is est. Longer superlatives usually take most instead of est.
This is the brightest room in the house.
Duncan is the tallest player on the team.
Britney is the most beautiful girl in the class.
Article the is used with superlative adjectives since it is definite (thing/person)
what's being talked about.

Absolute Adjectives
You either have the quality or you don't. There is no comparison. Dead, perfect, round...
You can't be deader than someone else who is only dead.
Some Absolute Adjectives:
absolute
complete
devoid
final
square
full
meaningful
superior

basic
empty
excellent
dead
essential
harmless
obvious
ultimate

certain
entire
fatal
perfect
unique
immortal
pure
universal

Informally, to emphasize or metaphorically, you may hear people say "I am more dead",
"This one is whiter". But they are misusing absolute adjectives.

Adverbs
Function of an adverb:
Adverbs are used to give more information about the action in a sentence. They mainly modify
verbs. They tell us how, where, when...etc something happens or is done.
Related Subjects:
Adjectives
Adverbials
Adjectives vs Adverbs
Subject Exercises / Quizzes:
Adjectives Adverbs Exercises (classic)
Adjectives / Adverbs Multiple Choice

Carol drives carefully. (How does she drive?)

I looked for her everywhere. (Where did you look for her?)
She came to London yesterday. (When did she come to London?)
Adverbs are generally divided into seven groups:
1) Manner: slowly, bravely, carefully, simply, quietly...
2) Place: there, here, up, down, near...
3) Time: yesterday, tomorrow, now, yet, still...
4) Frequency: never, always, often, once, twice...
5) Sentence: actually, really, obviously, evidently...
6) Degree: very, quite, rather, fairly, hardly...
7) Focus: just, only, simply, even, also...

Forming Adverbs
They are generally made from adjectives.
Many adverbs of manner and degree are formed by putting -ly at the end of an
adjectives.
slow - slowly

happy - happily

cold - coldly

rapid - rapidly

bad - badly

kind - kindly

I dont know why, but they spoke to me coldly.

The weather was awfully cold.
You should treat people gently.
Please, drive the car slowly.

When an adjective ends in consonant + y, it becomes -ily.

busy - busily
happy - happily
easy - easily
heavy - heavily
She is working busily.
Chuck passed the test easily.

When an adjective ends in -le, we omit -e and add -(l)y

noble - nobly
possible - possibly
simple - simply
gentle - gently
Ex: My mom brushes my hair gently every day.

When an adjectives ends in -e, we keep -e and add -ly.

extreme - extremely
free - freely
brave - bravely
safe - safely
His political ideas are extremely dull.
Our army fought bravely.

When an adjective ends in -ic, we add -ally.

Systematic - systematically
Phonetic - phonetically
We searched the attic systematically.
Mrs. Burns wanted us to write the words phonetically.

Degrees of Adverbs

Positive : Expresses a quality without a comparison.

Ivan walks slowly.

Comparative : Expresses a higher or lower degree than the positive.

Ida walks faster than Ivan.

Superlative : Expresses the highest or the lowest degree when comparing more
than two things/persons.
Brad walks the slowest.

1. Adverbs having the same form as adjectives:

POSITIVE

COMPARATIVE

SUPERLATIVE

fast

faster

the fastest

early

earlier

the earliest

late

later

the latest

hard

harder

the hardest

They came earlier than me.

Kenyans always win prizes in marathons because they run the fastest of all.
My parents plane will arrive later than my uncle's.
2. Adverbs formed with ly.
POSITIVE

COMPARATIVE

SUPERLATIVE

easily

more easily

most easily

quickly

more quickly

most quickly

fluently

more fluently

most fluently

carefully

more carefully

most carefully

Linda drives more carefully than her husband.

Elizabeth speaks English the most fluently.
3. Irregular adverbs
POSITIVE

COMPARATIVE

SUPERLATIVE

well

better

the best

badly

worse

the worst

far

father / further

the farthest / the furthest

much

more

the most

Who speaks English the best?

They do everything worse than us.
You are here: >> Home >> English Grammar Lessons >> Adverbs

I have been living in L.A since 2002. (where and how long?)
I moved here in 2002 because of better job opportunities. (when and why?)
They can be classified into three groups:
Adverbs
Adverbial Phrases
Adverbial Clauses

As Adverbs
They modify the verb of the sentence and they are mostly used at the end of the
sentences ending in -ly.
The teacher looked at me anxiously.
My father always drives very carefully.
Note:
Not all the adverbs of manner end in ly, there are a few exceptions like these:
Hard / fast / late / straight
In order to pass his exams, he studied very hard. Dont drive fast.

As Adverbial Phrases
They are composed of a group of two or more words modifying a verb.
We decided to take part in this film in May last September.
I tried to drive as carefully as I could, but I couldn't avoid hitting the tree.
I will escape as far as I can.

As Adverbial Clauses
An adverbial clause is a dependent sentence which has a function of an adverb.
See reducing adverbial clauses.
They can be classified into six groups:

Time: when / while / after / before / as soon as / by the time / since / until / as / as
long as etc.

Reason: because / since / as / seeing that / inasmuch as / now that / on the

grounds that

Purpose: so that / in order that / lest / in case / for the purpose that / for fear that

Contrast: although / though / even though / whereas / notwithstanding / much as

Comparison: as if / as though

Condition: if / provided(ing) (that) / so long as / unless / only if / even if / on

condition that

When my father came, I had already finished my homework.

Seeing that it was raining we decided not to go out.
In order that I can improve my English I have decided to go to England.
Although she is so beautiful I wont marry her.
He speaks as if he was an expert.
If you finish your assignment early you can go out with your friends.

Adjectives vs Adverbs
Key Difference:
Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns.
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs.
Also See:
Adjectives
Adverbs
Exercises:
Adjectives Adverbs Exercises

Adjectives vs Adverbs Examples

1) Adverbs and Adjectives are both modifiers, so it is easy to confuse them with
each other. And even more confusingly, some words sometimes act as
adjectives, and sometimes act as adverbs.
Hint: Ask yourself which word is being described: adjectives
always modify nouns or pronouns, but adverbs never do.
Sarah was a little sleepy. (adverb modifying adjective sleepy)
Sarah took a little nap. (adjective modifying noun nap)

2) Use the comparative degree of an adjective or an adverb when speaking

of two things and the superlative degree when speaking of three or more:
This is the larger of the two rooms.
This white one is the smallest of the three puppies.

Good vs well
Good is an adjective. The adverb is well.

Ex: My father is a good driver -> He drives well.

Your English is good -> You speak English well.
I feel good. (psychologically / morally)
I feel well. (healthy / well being)
You must stay in bed until you feel well / better / good.
I hope you get well / better / good soon.
See Good vs Well Exercise

Fast / Hard / Late

These words are both adjectives and adverbs:

ADJECTIVES

ADVERBS

Jack is a very fast runner.

He runs very fast. (fastly)

Ann is a hard worker.

She works very hard. (hardly)

The train was late.

The train arrived late. (lately)

Lately = recently
Have you seen Tom lately?
Hardly = very little, almost not
Sarah was rather unfriendly to me at the party. She hardly spoke to me.(she spoke to
me very little, almost not at all)
George and Hilda want to get married but they've only known each other for a few days.
I don't think they should get married yet. They hardly know each other. (they know each
other very little)

We cannot form adverbs from adjectives ending in ly.

Common adjectives: friendly, lively, ugly, lonely. We add the pattern in a way/manner
or fashion to make them adverb.

Friendly: In a friendly way/manner/fashion He behaves in a friendly way.

Lively : In a lively way / manner / fashion

A) Complete the following exercise with adjective or adverb form of the words.
1. That pitbull looks
2. She spoke

. (angry)
. (quiet)

3. Erica listened to her mother

4. Mary makes

. (careful)

mistakes. (careless)

5. Children grow

(quick)

6. He is very

today. (happy)

7. It's raining

. (heavy)

8. Morgan was

hurt in a car accident. (serious)

9. His situation was very

. (serious)

. Complete each sentence using a word from the list. Sometimes you need the
adjective (careful etc.) and sometimes the adverb (carefully etc.).
careful

complete

continuous

financial

fluent

happy

nervous

perfect

quick

special

1. Our holiday was too short. The time passed very ----.
quickly

2. Tom doesn't take risks when he's driving. He's always ----.
3. Sally works ----. She never seems to stop.
4. Alice and Stan are very ---- married.
5. Monica's English is very ---- although she makes a lot of mistakes.
6. I cooked this meal ---- for you, so I hope you like it.
7. Everything was very quiet. There was ---- silence.
8. I tried on the shoes and they fitted me ----.
9. Do you usually feel ---- before examinations?
10. I'd like to buy a car but it's ---- impossible for me at the moment.

2. Use the adjective or adverb form of the word.

11. The driver of the car was ---- injured. (serious / seriously)
seriously

12. The driver of the car had ---- injuries. (serious / seriously)

13. I think you behaved very ----. (selfish/selfishly)

14. Rose is ---- upset about losing her job. (terrible / terribly)
15. There was a ---- change in the weather. (sudden / suddenly)
16. Everybody at the party was ---- dressed. (colorful / colorfully)
17. Linda likes wearing ---- clothes. (colorful / colorfully)
18. She fell and hurt herself quite ----.(bad / badly)
19. Don't go up that ladder. It doesn't look ----. (safe / safely)
20. He looked at me ---- when I interrupted him. (angry / angrily)

Comparative Superlative Quiz

Complete the following sentences with comparative or superlative forms of the given
words.
1. Terry is his brother. (old)
older than

2. This problem is that problem. (easy)

3. Sam is boy in our class. (tall)
4. My brother is my sister. (fat)

5. Your room is room in our house. (small)

6. London is city in England. (large)
7. My car is your car. (fast)
8. Madonna is Celine. (popular)
9. My English is your English. (good)
10. The weather today is the weather yesterday.(bad)
11. This garden is that garden. (large)
12. Nora is girl in our group. (beautiful)
13. I am girl in the class. (short)
14. 15. Who is girl in your class? (pretty)
15. Jack is Ted. (handsome)

Adjectives Adverbs Practice Test 3

Choose the appropriate options to complete the sentences

1. I have never owned ---- independent cat before!
a more than
such an
so
as much an
as such

2. Ryan has been working ---- since he was promoted.

such a
so
more and more
just as
more than

3. I have been feeling ---- tired lately, doctor.

such a
the most
more and more
just as
such as

4. People in this country live ---- anybody else in the world.

longer than
the longest
long as
just as long
so longer

5. There are about ---- retired people in Brazil as in the USA.

much more
as many
half as much
as little
less than

6. His qualifications are ---- than those of any other candidate.

better
good enough
the best
the worst
well

7. The classes at my university are the same ---- those at State University.
with
from
as
at
in

8. Unfortunately, there weren't ---- much support for my proposal at the meeting ---- I
had expected and it was rejected.
as / so
such / as
so / as
so / that
such / that

9. The trees In the garden were ---- big ---- they took almost all the light away.
as / so
such / as
so / as
so / that
such / that

10. He has ---- big feet --- he has difficulty finding shoes to fit him.
as / as
such / as
so / that

such / that
more / than

Adjectives and Adverbs Test 4

Choose the appropriate options to complete the sentences

1. The Mediterranean Sea, which means 'in the midst of lands' In Latin, is the world's
---- inland sea and surrounded by Europe, Asia, and Africa.
larger
as large
largest
the larger
the largest

2. ---- you shout at your children, ---- they will ignore it.
More / more
The most / the most
The more / the most
The most / the more
The more / the more

3. The new language school has a ---- exam pass rate than the other schools in the
area.
so high
higher
the highest
high
highest

4. This machine is ---- of the two models in the shop, so you should buy that one.
more modern
the most modern
one of the most modern
as modern as
the more modern

5. My cherry cake wasn't ---- a disaster ---- I'd thought it would be, but it didn't taste
anything like my mother's.
such / as
so / that
as / as
more / than
the same / as

6. He started to work even ---- when he saw his supervisor.

as hurried as
hurried enough
more hurriedly
the most hurried
so hurriedly that

7. People in America IIve ---- than many other people.

extravagant
extravagantly
more extravagant
more extravagantly
the most extravagant

8. As ---- traffic means ---- traffic accidents, people should use public transportation
more.
more / less
fewer / fewer
a few / less

less / fewer
few / less

9. There was ---- a strong wind ---- we decided to stay indoors.

so / that
such / as
so / as
too / that
such / that

10. Cars are becoming ---- damaging to the environment ---- factory chimneys.
as / as
so / that
so / as
much / than
such / as

Adj/Adv Superlative Comparative 5

Choose the appropriate options to complete the sentences

1. Preparing frozen food is ---- anyone can do it.
so easy that
too easy that
such easy that
easier than
the easiest

2. Last year Americans spent six times ---- money for pet food as they did for baby food.
so many
such a
as much
as many
much more

3. "Mr. Smith is always beautifully dressed."

"Yes, he wears ---- nice clothes that everybody envies him."
so
too

such a
so much
such

4. "What do you think of Frank's new project?"

"---- we hear about it, ---- enthusiastic we get."
The more / the more
The most / the least
Less / the most
The less / more
More / less

5. I could have found the place ---- if I had a map.

more easier
more easily
as easily
the easiest
easy

6. You could get the answer ---- with a calculator.

far more easily

much easy
as easy as
easier than
the easiest

7. Wednesday is ---- the doctor can see you, I'm afraid.

earlier
so earlier
much more earlier
the earliest
earlier as

8. She is ---- than Rose and has more to think about.

more thoughtful
so thoughtful
such a thoughtful
so much thoughtful
the more thoughtful

9. The price by air from Rome to Paris is ---- than the price by train.

a higher
a lot higher
the highest
a more higher
most highest

10. The crisis we are facing now is ---- than any of the previous ones.
the most serious
seriously
more serious
as serious
far more seriously

Clear

Adjectives Adverbs Quizzes 6

Complete the sentences with the correct alternative.

1. Your blue skirt is ---- the one you've got on, Mary; why don't you change into it?
much worse than
the best of
much nicer than
as better as
more expensive than

2. He's one of ---- people I've ever met. He never stops talking and never says anything
----.
the least bored / interested
the more boring / interesting
the most boring / interesting
the more bored / interested
the least boring / interested

3. He has got ---- blg feet ---- he has difficulty finding shoes to fit him.
as / as
such / as
so / that
such / that
more / than

4. You looked ---- this morning but you look ---- now.
depressing / a lot happier
happier / a bit depressing
depressed / much happy
depressed / a bit happier
a bit happier / more depressing

5. ---- electricity you use, ---- your bill will be.

The more / the lower
The less / the higher
The more / the higher
The most / the lowest
The least / the highest

6. This bed is not ---- for two people to sleep in.

wide as
wide enough
wider than
too wide
the widest

7. I wasn't ---- nervous before the interview ---- I usually am.

such / as
so / as
too / than
much / than
such / that

8. It's ---- to learn a foreign language in the country where it is spoken than in another
country.
a lot easier
much easy
easiest
more easily
the easier

9. ---- a room is, ---- it is likely to be.

The most expensive / the most comfortable
The more expensive / the more comfortable
The most expensive / more comfortable

The more expensive / the most comfortable

More expensive / more comfortable

10. The fault in the engine is ---- this time than it was the last time.
much more serious
as serious as
so serious that
a lot serious
far more seriously than

Clear