There are several pairs of adverbs and adjectives that speakers often

45. Adjectives and adverbs may express a greater or lesser degree of

quality or quantity by using the method of comparison comparative and superlative degrees. The comparative degree is used to compare or relate two items with each other. Most short adjectives and adverbs form this degree by adding ‘-er’. Note the spelling changes. Most adjectives and adverbs of more than one syllable form this degree by adding more or less. late – later than big – bigger than lazy – lazier than difficult – more difficult than eager – less eager than slowly – more slowly than Than usually follows the comparative degree. However, the following structure is also acceptable: He is the wiser of the two brothers. Superlative is used to compare or relate three or more items with each other. Most short adjectives and adverbs form this degree by adding ‘- est’. Note the spelling changes. Most adjectives and adverbs of more than one syllable form this degree by adding most or least. late – the latest big – the biggest lazy – the laziest difficult – the most difficult eager – the least eager slowly – the most slowly

46. Some adjectives and adverbs are absolute, that is, by their definitions

they cannot be qualified or compared. If a box is square, it is just square, having equal sides. It cannot be very square. It cannot be more square than another box. Square is square. Degrees of comparision with absolute adjectives or adverbs must use such words as almost, not quite, or nearly to indicate that they are approaching the absolute. Of all the coins, this one is the most nearly round. not the roundest Exercise 27 Choose the correct answers 1. I can tell that this meal is going to be delicious, deliciously. 2. You look tired. Do you feel healthy, healthily? 3. Your machine types noisy, noisily. 4. Your football coach says that you are really good, well at the sport. 5. The situation has become worse, badly than before. 6. The bill that Senator Kennedy introduced sounded good, well to us. 7. Convinced that she was right, Cybill said, “Sure, Surely, you are mistaken.” 8. Any one who eats and exercises good, well will certainly look good, well. 9. Hearing that news gives me real, really satisfaction. 10. They gave us less, fewer food than we had ordered. ARTICLES 47. Articles are actually limiting adjectives used to modify nouns. Basically, there two kinds of articles in English: the definite article the and the indefinite article a. A has two variants: a and an. The also has two variants: the and the [ δ i]. A and the are used before nouns that begin with consonant sounds a book, the school while an and the are used with nouns that begin with vowel sounds an egg, the artist.

48. The definite article the is used with nouns that are specifically identified

in one way or another. The milk that I bought yesterday should still be good. The indefinite article is used with nouns that have not been specifically identified. There is a book on the table. Articles are used even if a descriptive adjective accompanies the noun. a telephone a small, black telephone