Usage of Modifiers
Deciding between Adjective and Adverb Form
If a word in the predicate modifies a noun or pronoun (person, place, thing, or idea), use the adjective form.
If the word modifies the verb, adverb, or adjective, use the adverb form.
Bad- Adjective
Badly- mostly used as an adverb
Good- Always an adjective, it should not be used to modify a verb.
Well- can be used as an adverb or an adjective. As an adjective, well means “in good health,” “well dressed or well groomed,” or “satisfactory.” As an adverb well means “capably”.
Slowly- always an adverb, it should modify the verb.
Slow- can be used as either an adjective or adverb. In most adverb uses (other than go slow or drive slow), it is better to use the form slowly as an adverb instead of slow.
The forms of modifiers change as they are used in comparison. There are three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative.
Use the comparative degree when comparing two things.
Use the superlative degree when comparing more than two.
Regularly formed modifiers
A modifier of one syllable regularly forms its comparative and superlative by adding –er and –est.
The –er and –est are used with most two-syllable modifiers; however, if –er and –est make the modifier sound awkward use more or most. The more and most forms are used with adverbs ending in –ly.
Modifiers of more than two syllables form their comparative and superlative degress by means of more and most.
Comparison to indicate less or least of a quality is accomplished by using the words less and least before the modifier.
Irregularly Formed Modifiers
Positive Comparative Superlative
bad worse worst
good better best
well better best
little less least
many more most
much more most
Do not omit the word other or else when comparing one thing with a group of which it is a part.
Ex. HHS is the better than any in the county. (HHS is a part of the county; therefore, we must use other after any.)
HHS is better than any other in the county.
Do not use both more and -er or most and –est.
Make sure your comparisons are clear. You want your reader to know for sure what two (or more) things you are comparing.
Dangling Modifiers
A phrase or clause that does not clearly and sensibly modify a word in the sentence is a dangling modifier. You do not want dangling modifiers. Dangling modifiers confuse your reader. Be sure that your modifiers are modifying the word or words you mean for them to. Dangling modifiers can be corrected by rearranging the words in the faulty sentence or by adding words that make the meaning clear.
Ex. While watching television, the storm approached. (The storm wasn’t watching television, yet that is what this sentence is stating.)
While I was watching television, the storm approached.
To qualify for the Olympics, many trial heats must be won. (Trial heats aren’t qualifying for the Olympics, yet that is what this sentence is stating)
To qualify for the Olympics, a runner must win many trial heats.
Misplaced Modifiers
Modifying words, phrases, and clauses should be placed as near as possible to the words they modify.
Ex. Who is the person with the dog in the sports jacket? (Is the dog in the sports jacket? That is what this sentence is stating).
Who is the person in the sports jacket with the dog?
Ex. There was a building in the city that was condemned. (The city was condemned! That is what this sentence is stating.)
In the city there was a building that was condemned. or There was a building that was condemned in the city. (Now it is the building that is condemned.)
If a word in the predicate modifies a noun or pronoun (person, place, thing, or idea), use the adjective form.
If the word modifies the verb, adverb, or adjective, use the adverb form.
Bad- Adjective
Badly- mostly used as an adverb
Good- Always an adjective, it should not be used to modify a verb.
Well- can be used as an adverb or an adjective. As an adjective, well means “in good health,” “well dressed or well groomed,” or “satisfactory.” As an adverb well means “capably”.
Slowly- always an adverb, it should modify the verb.
Slow- can be used as either an adjective or adverb. In most adverb uses (other than go slow or drive slow), it is better to use the form slowly as an adverb instead of slow.
The forms of modifiers change as they are used in comparison. There are three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative.
Use the comparative degree when comparing two things.
Use the superlative degree when comparing more than two.
Regularly formed modifiers
A modifier of one syllable regularly forms its comparative and superlative by adding –er and –est.
The –er and –est are used with most two-syllable modifiers; however, if –er and –est make the modifier sound awkward use more or most. The more and most forms are used with adverbs ending in –ly.
Modifiers of more than two syllables form their comparative and superlative degress by means of more and most.
Comparison to indicate less or least of a quality is accomplished by using the words less and least before the modifier.
Irregularly Formed Modifiers
Positive Comparative Superlative
bad worse worst
good better best
well better best
little less least
many more most
much more most
Do not omit the word other or else when comparing one thing with a group of which it is a part.
Ex. HHS is the better than any in the county. (HHS is a part of the county; therefore, we must use other after any.)
HHS is better than any other in the county.
Do not use both more and -er or most and –est.
Make sure your comparisons are clear. You want your reader to know for sure what two (or more) things you are comparing.
Dangling Modifiers
A phrase or clause that does not clearly and sensibly modify a word in the sentence is a dangling modifier. You do not want dangling modifiers. Dangling modifiers confuse your reader. Be sure that your modifiers are modifying the word or words you mean for them to. Dangling modifiers can be corrected by rearranging the words in the faulty sentence or by adding words that make the meaning clear.
Ex. While watching television, the storm approached. (The storm wasn’t watching television, yet that is what this sentence is stating.)
While I was watching television, the storm approached.
To qualify for the Olympics, many trial heats must be won. (Trial heats aren’t qualifying for the Olympics, yet that is what this sentence is stating)
To qualify for the Olympics, a runner must win many trial heats.
Misplaced Modifiers
Modifying words, phrases, and clauses should be placed as near as possible to the words they modify.
Ex. Who is the person with the dog in the sports jacket? (Is the dog in the sports jacket? That is what this sentence is stating).
Who is the person in the sports jacket with the dog?
Ex. There was a building in the city that was condemned. (The city was condemned! That is what this sentence is stating.)
In the city there was a building that was condemned. or There was a building that was condemned in the city. (Now it is the building that is condemned.)