The adjective. The adverb. The adjective

Adjectives are words describing nouns. Adjectives have positive, comparative and superlative forms.

Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives are made in the following ways:

Positive Comparative Superlative

ONE-SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES

adjective +er (than) the adjective +est

cheap cheaper the cheapest

ending in a vowel + the last consonant is doubled:

consonant (hot) hot +t+er the hot+t+est

never write W, X twice:

new new+er the new+est

(NOT: newwer)

ending in a y is changed into i:

consonant +y (dry) dr_y→i+er the dr_y→i+est

ending in mute -e omit final -e:

(late) lat_e +er the lat_e +est

TWO-SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES ENDING IN:

-er (clever) clever+er the clever+est

-ow (narrow) narrow+er the narrow+est

-y (busy) bus_y→i+er the bus_y→i+est

-le (noble) nobl_e+er the nobl_e+est

Two / three / four-syllable adjectives

profitable more +adjective the most +adjective

more profitable the most profitable

(NOT: profitabler) (NOT: profitablest)

Irregular adjectives

good better the best

bad worse the worst

old older the oldest

(the age of things)

elder the eldest

(people’s age I a family)

e.g. My elder brother is a vet.

BUT: My cousin is two years older than I am.

This is the oldest building in our city.

far farther the farthest

(identifies the distance)

further the furthest

(means “additional”)

e.g. If you need further information, contact us.

Paris is farther than Warsaw.

KEEP IN MIND: some adjectives have no degrees of comparison:

gradable, ungradable, priceless, incredible, dead, unique, adjectives defining colours.

The order of adjectives

opinion + size + quality + age + shape + colour + participles + origin + material + type + purpose

Keep in mind: Not more than three or four adjectives are used before a noun.

Adjectives are used in front of nouns, whereas adverbs define verbs and are used after them.

e.g. She is a diligent employee. (adjective)

She works diligently. (adverb)

Adjectives are used instead of adverbs with some verbs:

to feel, to smell, to look, to sound, to taste, to appear, to seem, to be, to get, become:

e.g. I feel good. (NOT: well)

Types of comparison

things are equal:

so + adjective +as

e.g. This assignment is as complicated as that one.

things are less:

not + as/so + adjective (positive degree) + as

e.g. This branch is not so large as yours.

less + adjective (positive degree) + than

e.g. They have delivered less comfortable swivel chair.

not enough + adjective (positive degree)

e.g. These products are not enough cheap to encourage customers to purchase them.

things are more:

more +adjective (positive degree) + than

e.g. This was more expensive purchase.