module 2

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Definition and Usage

  • Adjectives and adverbs are descriptive words that enhance writing.

  • Use sparingly; strong nouns and verbs can be effective as well.

• Adjectives

  • Describe nouns or pronouns.

  • Answer questions: which one, what kind, how many.

    • Example: "the green sweater" (green describes sweater), "she looks beautiful" (beautiful describes she).

• Adverbs

  • Describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

  • Often end in "-ly" but can vary.

  • Answer questions: how, to what extent, why, when, where.

    • Example: "Bertrand sings horribly" (how does he sing?), "my sociology instructor is very wise" (how wise?), "he accurately threw the ball" (how did he throw?).

Comparative vs. Superlative

• Comparative Adjectives and Adverbs

  • Compare two entities.

    • Example: Jorge is thin; Steven is thinner than Jorge (thinner is comparative form).

  • Formation:

    • One syllable: add "-er" (big becomes bigger).

    • Two or more syllables: use "more" (happy becomes more happy).

• Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs

  • Compare more than two entities.

    • Example: Jackie is the loudest cheerleader; Kenyatta was voted the most confident student.

  • Formation:

    • One syllable: add "-est" (big becomes biggest).

    • Two syllables ending in "-y": change "-y" to "-i" and add "-est" (happy becomes happiest).

Irregular Words

• Common Irregular Adjectives and Adverbs

  • Good: better (comparative), best (superlative).

  • Well: better (comparative), best (superlative).

  • Bad: worse (comparative), worst (superlative).

  • Badly: worse (comparative), worst (superlative).

  • Key Point: Good is an adjective; well is an adverb.

Subject-Verb Agreement

• Definition

  • Important for maintaining professionalism in writing and speech.

  • Agreement requires parts of sentences to match in number, person, case, and gender.

Fundamental Rules

• Number

  • Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

  • Examples:

    • Singular: "The mother runs."

    • Plural: "The mothers run."

• Regular Verbs

  • 3rd person singular verbs end in "-s".

    • Example: I live (1st person singular), he lives (3rd person singular).

• Irregular Verbs

  • Common irregular verbs: be (am, is, are), have (has), do (does).

Common Errors

• Issues can arise with:

  • Compound subjects.

  • Indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone takes singular verbs; some may take plural).

  • Collective nouns (treated as singular or plural based on context).

  • Phrases or clauses separating subject from verb.

Indefinite Pronouns

• Singular Indefinite Pronouns: anyone, each, everyone, etc.

• Plural Indefinite Pronouns: all, any, some (depending on focus noun).

  • Examples:

    • "Everybody sings" (singular).

    • "All people sing" (plural).

Collective Nouns

• Definition: Nouns representing a group as a single unit (e.g., team, class).

• Agreement: Require singular verbs.

  • Example: "The team wins."

  • Even if consisting of many members, treated as one unit.

Other Considerations

• Subjects can come after the verb, particularly in "here" or "there" constructions.

  • Reversing order can help identify subjects.

  • Example: "There are three dolphins."

Key Takeaways

• Adjectives describe nouns; adverbs describe verbs/adjectives.

• Recognizing singular vs plural forms in subject-verb agreement is crucial.

• Irregular verb forms require careful monitoring.

• Compound subjects can change verb forms based on subject proximity.

• Indefinite pronouns usually take singular verbs; exceptions based on context.

• Collective nouns treated as singular units needing singular verbs.

Principal vs. Principal

• Principal: A fundamental rule (noun) or the most important (adjective).

  • Example: "He is the principal of the school."

  • Example: "Chocolate is the principal ingredient of the cake."

• Distinction is critical for clarity in writing.