Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives and Adverbs Chapter 5

Lesson 1: What Are Adjectives? • Adjective – a word that modifies (describes) a noun or a pronoun • Adjectives answer 3 questions about the words they modify: what kind; which one(s); how many; how much Examples: A thin, tired old man sat in the sunny park on a faded blanket. The fat, lazy dog rested in the warm sun on the back porch. Three brown toads hopped across the garden path.

Articles • Articles – the most commonly used adjectives: a, an, the • indefinite articles– (a, an) - modify a nonspecific person, place, thing, idea EX: A black goat stood on the hillside. An eraser was thrown across the table. • definite article– (the) - refers to a specific or particular person, place, thing, idea EX: Thefirst person in thedoor was Trevor.

Forming Adjectives Many adjectives are formed from nouns. Example – music  musical; storm  stormy; beauty  beautiful; winter  wintery Kodi’smusical talent astonished the entire group. The stormy weather frightened many people. The beautiful tulips are in full bloom. The wintery mix of ice and rain made the roads unsafe.

Proper Adjectives • Proper adjectives are formed from proper nouns; they are always capitalized. EX: Mexico  Mexican sombrero; Canada  Canadian flag; France  French cuisine; Scotland  Scottish bagpipes

Predicate Adjectives • A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the verb’s subject. The linking verb connects the predicate adjective with the subject. • Predicate adjectives can follow the forms of be: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been • Predicate adjectives can also follow other common linking verbs: appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, turn

Examples of Predicate Adjectives in a Sentence • EXAMPLES: Dakotah seems confused about the assignment. (The predicate adjective confused describes Dakotah.) My cat is fat and lazy. (The adjectives fat and lazy describe the cat.) Emily and Hunter appear happy to be here today. (The adjective happy describes Emily and Hunter.) Those chocolate chip cookies smell delicious! (The adjective delicious describes the cookies.)

Other Words Used as Adjectives • In addition to their usual uses, many nouns and pronouns can also be used as adjectives. They modify other nouns to make their meanings more specific. • Examples: The class roster is on the desk. Her cell phone is being reprogrammed.

Pronouns Used as Adjectives • Demonstrative Pronouns: this, that, these, thoseare pronouns that can be used as adjectives. We call them demonstrative adjectives. Examples: This is my best friend Susan. (pronoun) This friend is always here for me. (adjective – describes friend; tells which one) That is not the correct answer. (pronoun) That answer is not correct. (adjective – describes answer; tells which one)

Possessive Pronouns Used as Adjectives • Possessive Pronouns – my, our, your, her, his, its, theirare possessive pronouns that are used as adjectives. Examples: My dog is a black cocker spaniel. Brandon and Zane asked their friends to a pizza fest. Our next assignment will involve creative writing. Did you do your homework?

Indefinite Pronouns Can Also Be Used as Adjectives • Indefinite Pronouns such as all, each, both, few, most, somecan be used as adjectives. EXAMPLES: There are a few good pencils left in the box. Each person is responsible for his or her actions. Both boys were racing for the kite. Most people study for their tests. Some leftover pizza is in the refrigerator.

Nouns Used as Adjectives • Nouns may also be used as adjectives to describe other nouns. EXAMPLES: Please put the groceries in a paper bag. I bought a new leather jacket when it was on sale. I have three separate internet accounts. Many students will be working on their science projects on our field trip to the zoo.

What is an Adverb? • An adverb is a word that modifies/describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Examples: Miss Setreestrongly advised her students to study. (Strongly is an adverb that modifies the verb advised.) We were very proud of our team’s achievements. (Very is and adverb that modifies the adjective proud.) That student almost always wins the shot put competition. (Almost is an adverb modifying the adverb always which modifies the verb wins.)

Adverbs Answer 5 Questions • Adverbs answer 5 questions about the words they modify. Adverbs tell where, when, how, how often, to what extentabout the words they modify. Examples: Bob scattered his homework papers everywhere! (where Bob scattered the papers) Sometimes I forget my books for science class. (when do I forget my books) Sarah patiently waited for her brother to pick her up after school. (how did Sarah wait) We often make trips to the Dairy Queen for hot fudge sundaes. (how often do we make trips to the DQ?) I am very excited about our upcoming trip to Montana! (to what extent am I excited)

Words Commonly Used as Adverbs • Here are some examples of words that are often used as adverbs in sentences: Where?here, there, everywhere When?now, never, always, often How? well, hard, fast, much How often?daily, usually, seldom To what extent? very, too, quite, almost

Positions of Adverbs in a Sentence • The positions of adverbs can vary in sentences. • An adverb that modifies an adjective or another adverb usually comes just before the word it modifies. Example: Tara is almost always late for gym class. In this sentence – always is an adverb that modifies the adjective late, and almost is an adverb that modifies the adverb always.

Positions of Adverbs in Sentences • An adverb that modifies a verb can be placed after the verb, before the verb, at the beginning of the sentence, or at the end of the sentence. This allows us to add some variety to our writing. Example: The students worked quietly on their science projects. The students quietly worked on their science projects. Quietly, the students worked on their science projects. The students worked on their science projects quietly.

Intensifiers • Intensifiers are adverbs that modify adjectives or other adverbs. • They are usually placed directly before the words they modify. • Intensifiers usually answer the question “To what extent?” about the words they modify. Examples: The clerk was veryhelpful. That basket is quiteheavy. I am especially proud of your work. He responded ratherquickly to your question.

Commonly Used Intensifiers • Words that are commonly used as intensifiers: almost quite too especially rather usually extremely really very just so nearly somewhat practically such

Forming Adverbs • Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to an adjective. quick  quickly slow  slowly sad  sadly careless  carelessly

Not and –n’t • Not is NEVER part of the verb. It is always an adverb. Even when used as a contraction, not/n’t is never a part of the verb. Examples: I am not going to the school picnic. Sarah didn’t know the answer to that math problem. Brent did not do his homework. Kara wouldn’t buy her brother a new X-Box game.

Adjectives and Adverbs