Adjectives and

Adverbs
• The pairs good/well, bad/badly, and real/really are
tricky because the form that you choose depends on
whether you need an adjective or an adverb.

• Use an adjective form (good, bad, real) to modify a

noun or complement a linking verb (a form of be,
seem, feel, smell, look, taste, or sound).

• Use an adverb (well, badly, really) to modify a non-

linking verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
• Ellen, who is usually a _____ driver, recently
had an accident and was hurt _____.

• (good, well) ( bad, badly)

• Revised: Ellen, who is usually a good driver,

recently had an accident and was hurt badly.
• To choose between less and fewer, determine
whether the word described is uncountable or
countable.
• A good test for this is whether the word is plural.
Use less to describe an uncountable noun; use fewer
to describe a countable noun.

• _____ money is being allocated to work-study

positions this year. As a result, we will have _____
student workers and _____ help with answering the
phones.
• To choose between farther and further,
determine whether the word is being used to
describe physical distance. If so, use farther. If
not, use further.

• _____ advances in technology may enable the

new hybrid cars to travel even _____ without
refueling.
1. Although (fewer/less) Eskimos live in traditional
communities now than before, social activities are just
as important as they ever were.

• Step 1. The word being described (Eskimos) is

countable, so fewer is the correct choice.

2. Many Eskimo children, especially boys, learn to hunt

(good/well).

Step 1. The word is filling an adverb slot. The adverb will

modify hunt.
Step 2. An adverb form (well) is needed to modify a verb.
3. (Fewer/Less) girls than boys learn to hunt in a
typical Eskimo community.
• Step 1. The word described (girls) is
countable, so fewer is the correct choice.

4. The subarctic region provides (fewer/less)

types of food than more temperate regions.
• Step 1. The word described (types) is
countable, so fewer is the correct choice.
5. Seal and caribou provide
(good/well) sources of meat.

• Step 1. The word is filling an adjective slot.

The adjective will modify sources.

• Step 2. An adjective form (good) is needed

to modify an verb.
Anna cried________ over the loss of her
brother.
a. Bitterly
b. Bitter
c. More bitter
d. Most bitter
Fill in the words in brackets as adjective or adverb as in the example.
Example: Peter works ______ (slow).
Answer: Peter works slowly.

1) The bus driver was _____ injured. (serious)

2) Kevin is _____ clever. (extreme)
3) This hamburger tastes _____ . (awful)
4) Be _____ with this glass of milk. It's hot. (careful)
5) Robin looks _____ . What's the matter with him? (sad)
6) Jack is _____ upset about losing his keys. (terrible)
7) This steak smells _____ . (good)
8) Our basketball team played _____ last Friday. (bad)
9) Don't speak so _____ . I can't understand you. (fast)
10) Maria opened her present _____ . (slow)
1. No one wanted to live by the smelly landfill.
2. Since they were late, they ran quickly to their seats.
3. The people in the town were very friendly.
4. I thought the painting was rather ugly.
5. The boat drifted peacefully down the river.
6. The man was too elderly to walk very far.
7. I like curly hair better than straight hair.
8. The soldiers fought bravely against the enemy attack.
9. The sun was shining brightly in the deep blue sky.
10. He drove dangerously fast through his neighborhood.
11. She listened to the lecture silently, though it took two hours.
12. They visited their grandparents frequently in the summer.
13. She foolishly gave him her phone number the day they met.
14. We walked cautiously down the side of the road in the rain.
15. The weather was chilly, so we put on our jackets.
16. The breeze blew gently through the tall trees.
17. She whispered softly in his ear, “I love you.”
18. The children enjoyed singing the silly songs.
19. They hiked tirelessly up the rugged mountain.
20. The tutor very patiently helped the struggling student.
21. He smiled at the lovely woman as she walked by.
22. We happily joined the party when we finished working.
23. They returned from the funeral, sadly lowering their heads.
24. She laughed joyfully when the comedian told his jokes.
25. The criminal was unjustly imprisoned without a trial.
26. Jennifer smiled shyly at the students in her new class.
27. We were upset when the man looked at us strangely.
28. My baby sister held her cuddly teddy bear while she slept.
1. She could (hard hardly) walk after the accident.
2. My book is (near nearly) finished.
3. She is too (short shortly )to be a model.
4. I would like two tickets for the( late lately) show.
5. I will let you know my decision (short shortly).
6. This problem is too (hard hardly) for me.
7. I live (near nearly the supermarket.
8. He has been very sick (late lately).
9. He is often (late lately) to work.
10. Your composition is too (short shortly). It looks like a
telegram.
Look at the following sentences. The last word in each sentence is either an
adjective or an adverb. Click the "adj" button if you think it is an adjective.
Click the "adv" button if you think it is an adverb.

1. The sun burnt the grass quickly.
2. It burnt the grass black.
3. He drove his employees hard.
4. He drove some of them mad.
5. I find this very unlikely.
6. We found the people friendly.
7. This made everyone late.
8. I have made his acquaintance
lately.
9. The doctor soon made the patient
well.
10. The thief made his escape early.
11. What made my bed so hard?
12. We shall leave the house
early.
13. We shall leave the room
empty.
14. I can paint your hall pink.
15. I can paint this wall fast.
16. Pull the rope hard.
17. Pull the rope tight.
18. He turned the corner well.
19. The heat turned the milk sour.
20. You must wipe the
windscreen clear.