Transcript Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes
Modifiers
A modifier is a word or word group
that makes the meaning of another
word or word group more specific.
Two kinds:
– Adjectives
– Adverbs
Comparison
three degrees: positive, comparative, and
superlative
– low-lower-lowest
– fearful-more fearful-most fearful
– good-better-best
comparative degree: two things
superlative degree: three or more
One syllable: -er, -est
Two syllables: -er, -est, OR more, most
Three or more syllables: more, most
Decrease in degree: less, least
Within a Group
Include other or else when comparing one
member of a group with the rest of the group
avoids an illogical comparison of one thing with
itself
Examples:
Rhode Island is smaller than any state in the
Union. (incorrect)
Rhode Island is smaller than any other state in
the Union. (correct)
Stan is taller than anyone in his class. (incorrect)
Stan is taller than anyone else in his class.
(correct)
Double Comparisons
result of using two comparative forms
(usually –er and more) or using two
superlative forms (usually –est and most)
to modify the same word
Examples:
Alice is a more faster swimmer than you.
Alice is a faster swimmer than you.
What is the most brightest star in the sky?
What is the brightest star in the sky?
Clear Comparisons
clearly indicate what items you are comparing
Use both parts of a comparison completely if there is any
chance of a misunderstanding
Examples:
Fresh vegetables at a farmers’ market are sometimes
lower in price than a grocery store.
Fresh vegetables at a farmers’ market are sometimes
lower in price than those at a grocery store.
We know her better than Sally.
We know her better than we know Sally. OR We know
her better than Sally does.
Absolute Adjectives
no comparative or superlative forms
do not vary in degree
something is either complete or it it’s not. You
can’t say something is more complete than
something else
Examples:
Your hat is more unique than most.
Your hat is unique.
Don’t you agree that the park is the most perfect
place to have a picnic?
Don’t you agree that the park is the perfect place
to have a picnic? OR Don’t you agree that the
park is the most suitable place to have a picnic?
Common Absolute Adjectives
complete
correct
dead
empty
endless
equal
eternal
full
impossible
infinite
perfect
round
square
true
unique
I am least prepared to take the test than you.
Jim speaks Portuguese more fluently than any
person in his class.
3. You cheered more often than anyone at the concert.
4. Mr. Brown is many pounds more heavier than I.
5. We thought Patti was the most talented of all the
actors in the community play.
6. The picture looks much more clearer on this
television set than on that one.
7. I read the shorter of the three books for my report.
8. I have narrowed my choices to two colleges, and I
want to visit them to see which I like best.
9. She was less determined to win than her sister was.
10. Modeling her mother’s silk kimono, Toshi seemed
even more gracefuller than usual.
1.
2.