MODIFIERS
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1
MODIFIERS─ADVERBS LIKE ONLY
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Adv. Adj.
She has only three dollars.
Adv. Verb
He only saw her; he did not speak to her.
Adv. Adv
Only downstairs can one find a real bargain.
NOTE:
Other adverbs like only are; just, nearly, hardly, almost, and scarcely.
ERROR EXAMPLES
- WRONG : We only have four hours to finish this paper.
RIGHT : We have only four hours to finish this paper
- WRONG : She just wants to take one class.
RIGHT : She wants to take just one class.
- WRONG : That house nearly costs sixty thousand dollars.
RIGHT : That house costs nearly sixty thousand dollars.
- WRONG : She was so quiet that hardly he noticed her.
RIGHT : She was so quiet that he hardly noticed her.
- WRONG : They almost drove six hundred miles.
RIGHT : They drove almost six hundred miles.
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EXERCISE 1: Put “C” if the sentence is correct. Put “X” if the adverb is not as close as possible to the word it modifies.
_____1. If you go to window five, you will have to wait only five minutes.
_____2. You can use these machines only between 9 A.m. and 5 P.M.
_____3. He hardly knows any English.
_____4. That shirt almost cost twenty dollars.
_____5. Just ten people will be able to go today.
_____6. You hardly have enough time to do the first exercise.
_____7. We had to wait nearly ten minutes for the movie to begin.
_____8. She scarcely slept five hours last night.
_____9.We want to borrow only ten dollars.
_____10. The soldiers only killed one person during the battle.
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2
MODIFIERS─SPLIT INFINITIVES
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The infinitive is to + the simple form of the verb (V). Do not put an adverb between to and V.
to + V Adv
He refused to fill out the form completely.
to + V Adv
They have decided to repeat the directions carefully.
to + V Adv.
We hope to inform him quickly.
ERROR EXAMPLES
- WRONG : He decided to carefully read the directions.
RIGHT : He decided to read the directions carefully.
- WRONG : To thoroughly understand the subject, ask an expert.
RIGHT : To understand the subject thoroughly, ask an expert.
- WRONG : He was looking for a way to rapidly complete the job.
RIGHT : He was looking for a way to complete the job rapidly.
EXERCISE 2 : Put “C” if the sentence is correct. Put “X” if any word comes between to and simple form of the verb.
_____1. We decided to leave the area quickly.
_____2. He seemed to easily understand the situation.
_____3. To really make him happy would be impossible.
_____4. She used a scale to accurately weigh the vegetables.
_____5. Do not try to completely finish your homework before dinner.
_____6. To hastily read the material is not enough for good comprehension.
_____7. He began to chatter the event excitedly.
_____8. Please try to entirely revise your work before you leave.
_____9.The teacher wanted to know positively whether or not the students could come to
the picnic.
____10. Bob is going to soon decide on his future course of study.
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3
MODIFIERS─DANGELING MODIFIERS
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The subject of the main clause must be the same as the understood subject of the introductory phrase. In other words, the introductory phrase modifies the subject of the main clause.
INTRODUCTORY PHRASE MAIN CLAUSE
Looking at his watch, Mr. Jones got up and left.
SUBJECT
Who looked at his watch? Mr. Jones
Who got up and left ? Mr. Jones
INTRODUCTORY PHRASE MAIN CLAUSE
Compared to his father, John is a tall man.
SUBJECT
Who is compared to his father? John
Who is a tall man ? John
INTRODUCTORY PHRASE MAIN CLAUSE
To make a collect phone call. Mary must speak to the operator.
SUBJECT
Who is making a collect phone call? Mary
Who must speak to the operator? Mary
INTRODUCTORY PHRASE MAIN CLAUSE
While a dancer in New York, Kathy injured her leg.
SUBJECT
Who was a dancer in New York? Kathy
Who injured her leg? Kathy
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ERROR EXAMPLES
- WRONG : Running home from school, a dog bit me.
RIGHT : Running home from school, I was bitten by a dog.
- WRONG : When only a child. My father took me to the circus.
RIGHT : When only a child. I was taken to the circus by my father.
- WRONG : Hidden in the pocket, George left the room with the key.
RIGHT : Having hidden the key in his pocket, George left the room.
- WRONG : To understand the directions, they must be read carefully.
RIGHT : To understand the directions, one must read them carefully.
EXERCISE 3 : Put “C” if the sentence is correct. Put “X” if there is a dangling-modifier error.
_____1. Playing in the street, the truck hit the child.
_____2. By painting and repairing as needed, your home can be kept in good condition.
_____3. Before leaving, Jane kissed me goodbye.
_____4. Addressed and stamped, I dropped the letter in the slot.
_____5. While a student at the college, my mother met my father.
_____6. Walking toward the church, the stained-glass windows looked beautiful.
_____7. To understand the subject, a great seal of studying must be done.
_____8. Skiing down the steep hill, my heart beat crazily.
_____9. Watching her daughter play, Mary thought about life as a mother.
____10. Once learned, a language cannot easily be forgotten.
____11. When only a child my father taught me how to play soccer.
____12. Studying and reading, the day passed quickly.
____13. To make a good cup of coffee, one must begin with high-quality coffee beans.
____14. Sitting alone in his room, the strange noise frightened him.
____15. Wrapped in pretty green paper, Phyllis put the package on the table.
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4
MODIFIERS─ADJECTIVE/ADVERB CONFUSION
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- Adjectives modify nouns (N) and pronouns.
Adj. N Adj. N
His recent accident caused a sudden change in his behavior.
Pron. Adj.
He is intelligent.
- Adverbs modify verbs (V)
Verb Adv. Verb Adv.
He had an accident recently, and his behavior changed suddenly.
Verb Adv.
He spoke intelligently.
- Adverbs also modify adjectives.
Adv. Adj.
He grew an especially small tree.
Adv. Adj.
He was a highly motivated young man.
Adv. Adj.
It was a cleverly planned operation.
- Adverbs also modify other adverbs.
Adv. Adv.
She could run very quickly.
NOTES:
a. Most adverbs end in –ly.
b. Some adverbs have the same form for the adjectives and adverbs :
Adjectives Adverbs
late late
fast fast
hard hard
(Do not add –ly to these words)
c. The adverb for the adjective good is well.
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ERROR EXAMPLES
- WRONG : Do it carefully, if not perfect.
RIGHT : Do it carefully, if not perfectly.
- WRONG : He is an extreme pleasant person.
RIGHT : He is an extremely pleasant person.
- WRONG : It was an interesting designed museum.
RIGHT : It was an interestingly designed museum.
- WRONG : He worked hardly at the factory all day.
RIGHT : He worked hardly at the factory all day.
- WRONG : You should order your book real soon.
RIGHT : You should order your book really soon.
- WRONG : My sister plays the piano very good.
RIGHT : My sister plays the piano very well.
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EXERCISE 4 : Put “C” if the sentence is correct. Put “X” if there is an adjective or adverb error.
_____1. The bus arrived lately, so I missed my first class.
_____2. We did not pass the test, but we certainly tried hard.
_____3. The train left at exactly 5.00 P.M.
_____4. When Ms. Smith went to Germany, she bought an exquisitely carved vase.
_____5. They had a real good chance of winning the national competition.
_____6. Computers process data efficiently.
_____7. We worked hard and saved enough money to take a trip.
_____8. There was a hasty called meeting to discuss the bus strike.
_____9. He was thorough interested in the subject.
____10. That dress fits her perfectly.
____11. She likes her students to arrive prompt for class.
____12. We studied really hard for the test.
____13. He was bright and attractive.
____14. The child ran fastly to get to school.
____15. He wrote his paper really good.
____16. The careful organized tour of the city was a huge success.
____17. You cannot possibly imagine how embarrassed I was yesterday.
____18. Although he plays soccer well, he plays tennis bad.
____19. I read an interestingly written report.
____20. The time went by very fastly on our vacation.
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MODIFIERS─ADJECTIVES AFTER VERBS OF SENSATION
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These verbs of sensation are generally followed by adjectives, not by adverbs: feel, look, seem, appear, taste, smell, and sound.
Verb Adj.
He feels bad
Verb Adj.
The soup smells delicious
Verb Adj.
She looked nervous before the test.
These are also called “predicate adjectives.”
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ERROR EXAMPLES
- WRONG : Those flowers smell sweetly.
RIGHT : Those flowers smell sweet.
- WRONG : That loud music sounds badly to me.
RIGHT : That loud music sounds bad to me.
- WRONG : He looks handsomely in black.
RIGHT : He looks handsome in black.
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EXERCISE 5 : Put “C” if the sentence is correct. Put “X” if there is an adjective or adverb error.
_____1. I felt sadly when I read the letter.
_____2. That gossip sounds malicious.
_____3. The wine tastes awfully, like vinegar.
_____4. The girls look adorable in their party costumes.
_____5. Our neighbor’s music sounded loudly last night.
_____6. Laurie seemed quiet after she read her friend’s letter.
_____7. The roses and lilacs smell nicely every spring.
_____8. Do not drink that milk, it tastes sourly.
_____9. My sister has always looked heavy because she has broad shoulders.
____10. He appeared nervously as he began to take the exam
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MODIFIERS─NOUN ADJECTIVES
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The first noun (N) in the following pattern is used as an adjective.
N N
You are all language students.
NOTES:
a. When nouns are used as adjectives, they do not have plural or possessive forms.
b. EXCEPTIONS: The following nouns always end in –s but are singular in number when they are used as names of courses or sciences: physics, mathematics, economics.
N N
He is an economics teacher.
BUT
Adj. N
The current economic situation is extremely uncertain.
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ERROR EXAMPLES
- WRONG : He is taking some histories classes this semester.
RIGHT : He is taking some history classes this semester.
- WRONG : John turned in his term’s paper this morning.
RIGHT : John turned in his term paper this morning.
- WRONG : My friend is an economic major.
RIGHT : My friend is an economics major.
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EXERCISE 6 : Put “C” if the sentence is correct. Put “X” if there is an error in the noun adjectives
_____1. Tom drove past the police’s station on his way to work.
_____2. Joan Sutherland is my favorite opera singer.
_____3. I need to have my car’s license renewed.
_____4. During the power shortage, the streets lights went out.
_____5. He wanted to take an economic class.
_____6. Many people are worried about the current world’s situation.
_____7. The news reporter was at the scene of the accident.
_____8. Phyllis and Julie put up the party decorations.
_____9. Three footballs teams were tied for the first place.
____10. Mike is the new mathematics professor.
____11. We need some paper napkins for the picnic.
____12. The students did not like the dormitory’s rules.
____13. The marble floor felt like ice.
____14. The television’s repairman picked up my television set this morning.
____15. I went to three dances recitals last year.
____16. John bought some leather gloves yesterday.
____17. I need to buy a plane’s ticket.
____18. He took many languages courses when he was in New York.
____19. She put a new table lamp in her living room.
____20. He is taking an advanced physic course this semester.
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