1. Adjectives and Adverbs (and their phrases)

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An adjective modifies a noun or pronouns. An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Both these adjectives and adverbs can also be used to show their comparatives and superlatives. By adding –er, comparison can be made of two people or things, and by adding –est, more than two persons, things or places can be compared. Modifiers are usually placed next to the words they modify.

An adjective modifies a noun

EXAMPLE: There was a red kite high up in the cloudless sky.

In the sentence, red is an adjective modifying the noun kite, and cloudless is an adjective modifying the noun sky. The word red tells us more about the kite, that is it is red in colour while cloudless describes the sky as having no cloud. Other examples of adjectives preceding the nouns they modify: small monkey, tall man, thick book.

An adjective modifies a pronoun

EXAMPLE: I was happy with the way things went.

In this example, happy is an adjective modifying the pronoun I

An adverb modifies a verb.

EXAMPLE: She smiled broadly at me.

In this example, broadly modifies the verb smiled. It answers the question "How did she smile?"

An adverb modifies an adjective.

EXAMPLE: They agree she is a very intelligent woman.

In this example, the adverb very modifies the adjective intelligent.

An adverb modifies an adverb.

EXAMPLE: Her pulse seemed exceptionally fast.

This example shows an adverb modifying another adverb. Exceptionally is an adverb, so is fast.

Further examples:

Verbs	Adverbs
He works on his own.	He works more efficiently on his own.
They dig to get at the roots.	They dig deep to get at the roots.
We ate lots of nice food.	We ate up lots of nice food.

Adjectives	Adverbs
She is happy on her new bicycle.	She is very happy on her new bicycle.
He talks in a soft voice.	He talks in a really soft voice.
We were patient with him.	We were extremely patient with him.

Adverbs	Adverbs
Joe finishes his homework quickly.	Joe finishes his homework pretty quickly.
He came immediately when I called.	He came almost immediately when I called.
She ran fast in the race.	She ran amazingly fast in the race.

Note: Adverbs commonly end in –ly but not all. Examples are fast, here, there, etc. Some adjectives end in –ly, examples of which are: friendly, heavenly, etc.

Functions of adverbs
Adverb tells us:

how often something happens

EXAMPLE: I always have a glass of milk before I go to bed.

in what manner something happens

EXAMPLE: She speaks loudly.

the place something happens

EXAMPLE: My bunch of car keys is on the table.

the time something happens

EXAMPLE: Yesterday we went to the cinema.

the intensity something happens

EXAMPLE: The patient is breathing very heavily.

Adjectival and adverbial phrases
An adjectival phrase is a phrase that is comprised of more than one word, and is used to modify a noun or pronoun. This modifier usually is placed next to the noun it modifies as follow:

EXAMPLE: The meal in the restaurant was really delicious.

The phrase in the restaurant modifies the meal. It tells us about the meal and where it is available.

Adverbial phrases are used as modifiers. They must be easily identifiable with the word they modify.

EXAMPLE: They were highly delighted at the court's decision.

This example tells about their feeling which arose from the court's decision. The adverb modifier is highly which describes how they felt. This word modifies the adjective delighted in the sentence. The adverbial phrase at the court's decision tells us more about the legal process.