Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank that precede nouns.

42. Much, a little, and less are used for uncountable nouns while many,

a few, and fewer are used for countable nouns. A little and a few stress the presence of something in small quantity, little and few stress the absence of almost all quantity. I have a little money. I have a few friends. I have little money. I have few friends. Good is always an adjective. Well is mostly used as an adverb but sometimes used as an adjective to mean `healthy`. Real and sure are adjectives meaning ‘genuine’ and ‘certain’ respectively. Many native speakers misuse them as adverbs. Do not make their mistakes. Really and very and surely are adverbs meaning ‘extremely’ and ‘undoubtedly’ or ‘certainly’. This bag is made of real leather. I’m really pleased with its quality. Are you sure he’ll be here on time. They surely wouldn’t want to miss the party.

43. In order to avoid confusion, it is usually best to place adverbs as near

as possible to the verbs, adjectives, or adverbs that they modify. Take particular care with almost, ever, even, just, hardly, not, and only. Only he said he loved her. No one else said it He only said he loved her. He said nothing else He said only he loved her. No one else loved her He said he only loved her. Loving her was his sole activity He said he loved only her. He loved no one else

44. Adverbs should not separate verbs from their direct objects.

W: I will meet tomorrow the Chinese delegation. R: I will meet the Chinese delegation tomorrow.

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