1.4 Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives and adverbs are both modifiers—words that describe, qualify, or limit other words in a sentence. While they share the general category of modification, they perform entirely different grammatical jobs. Confusing adjectives with adverbs, or using one when the other is required, is one of the most common colloquial habits in spoken English, which makes it a frequent target for testing on the PERT Writing exam.

The Basic Distinction

To choose the correct modifier, you must first identify the word being modified and determine its part of speech. The fundamental rule is:

• Adjectives modify nouns (people, places, things, ideas) and pronouns. They answer questions like Which one?, What kind?, How many?, or Whose?
• Adverbs modify verbs (actions), adjectives (other modifiers), and other adverbs. They answer questions like How?, When?, Where?, Why?, or To what extent? (how much).

Examples:

• Adjective: The diligent student passed the exam. (Diligent describes the noun 'student', answering 'what kind of student'.)
• Adverb: The student studied diligently for the exam. (Diligently describes the action verb 'studied', answering 'how' the student studied.)

Many adverbs are formed by adding the suffix -ly to an existing adjective (e.g., frequent becomes frequently, easy becomes easily). However, this spelling rule is not universal. Some words ending in -ly are adjectives (e.g., friendly, lonely, lovely), and many adverbs do not end in -ly at all (e.g., fast, hard, very, well). Always determine the grammatical function of the word rather than relying solely on its ending.

• Incorrect: She speaks Spanish very fluent. (Fluent is an adjective, but it is attempting to modify the action verb 'speaks'.)
• Correct: She speaks Spanish very fluently.

Irregular Modifier Pairs

Several adjectives and adverbs have identical forms or highly irregular derivations. The table below outlines these common pairs, which are critical to recognize for the PERT Writing test:

Linking Verbs vs. Action Verbs

A major testing point on the PERT is the use of modifiers after sensory or state-of-being verbs, such as look, smell, taste, feel, sound, seem, become, and appear.

• If the verb is acting as an action verb (where a subject is performing a physical action), it must be modified by an adverb.
• If the verb is acting as a linking verb (which acts like an equal sign, connecting the subject to a description of the subject), it must be followed by an adjective.

Compare the following sentences:

• Action: The blind man felt the fabric carefully. (Here, 'felt' is an active physical action. The adverb 'carefully' describes how he touched the fabric.)
• Linking: The silk fabric felt smooth. (Here, 'felt' is a linking verb. The fabric is not actively touching anything; 'smooth' is an adjective describing the noun 'fabric'.)

The Good/Well and Bad/Badly Trap

This linking-versus-action distinction is most famously tested using good/well and bad/badly.

• Incorrect: I feel badly that you lost your job. (Because 'feel' is a linking verb expressing a state of emotion/being, it must be followed by the adjective 'bad'.)
• Correct: I feel bad that you lost your job.
• Exception for 'Well': While well is typically an adverb, it functions as an adjective when referring specifically to physical health (e.g., "I do not feel well today.").

Modifying Adjectives and Adverbs

Adverbs do not only modify verbs; they also modify other modifiers. When an adverb modifies an adjective or another adverb, it typically acts as an intensifier, answering the question To what extent?

• Adverb modifying Adjective: The weather was extremely hot. (The adverb 'extremely' modifies the adjective 'hot'.)
• Adverb modifying Adverb: The driver reacted very quickly. (The adverb 'very' modifies the adverb 'quickly'.)

On the PERT, look out for instances where a writer incorrectly uses an adjective instead of an adverb to modify another modifier.

• Incorrect: The exam was real difficult. (Real is an adjective and cannot modify the adjective 'difficult'.)
• Correct: The exam was really difficult. (Really is the adverb form.)

Comparatives and Superlatives

When using modifiers to compare items, you must choose between the comparative and superlative degrees:

1. Comparative (Comparing TWO things): Formed by adding the suffix -er (for short words) or using the word more/less before the modifier.
   • Example: Sarah is taller than David.
   • Example: This laptop is more expensive than that one.
2. Superlative (Comparing THREE or more things): Formed by adding the suffix -est or using the word most/least before the modifier.
   • Example: Sarah is the tallest student in the class.
   • Example: This laptop is the most expensive model in the store.

Irregular Comparative Forms

Some modifiers have irregular comparative and superlative forms:

• Good/Well → Better (Comparative) → Best (Superlative)
• Bad/Badly → Worse (Comparative) → Worst (Superlative)
• Far → Farther/Further (Comparative) → Farthest/Furthest (Superlative)

Redundancy: The Double Comparative Trap

Never use both an -er/-est ending and more/most at the same time. This creates a redundant double comparative.

• Incorrect: This route is more faster.
• Correct: This route is faster.
• Incorrect: He is the most strongest athlete.
• Correct: He is the strongest athlete.

Double Negatives

In formal English, negative modifiers (such as not, never, no, none, nothing) cannot be combined within the same clause. Two negatives cancel each other out, mathematically producing a positive statement, which is nonstandard.

Be especially alert for hidden negatives—words like hardly, scarcely, and barely. These words already carry negative meanings and should not be paired with other negative words.

• Incorrect: I don't have no money left. (Double negative: 'don't' + 'no')
• Correct: I have no money left.
• Correct: I don't have any money left.
• Incorrect: We couldn't hardly breathe in the smoke. (Double negative: 'couldn't' + 'hardly')
• Correct: We could hardly breathe in the smoke.