Adjectives ending in –ed and -ing Adjectives ending in –ed Adjectives ending in –ed or have the same form as the past participle of a verb, eg. Amazed, eg. Amazed, relieved, terrified, thrilled . thrilled . We often use them to describe people’s feelings. They normally follow be, feel, seem, look, etc. I was amazed to hear I’d won the prize. What’s the matter? You seem a bit annoyed .
Adjectives ending in –ing We use these adjectives to describe the effect that experiences or events have on us. They can be used before the noun or after be and other linking verbs. That was a terrifying experience The explanation was rather confusing.
Words that cause confusion •
Like
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Like can be a preposition, meaning meaning similar to or in the same way as Do you look like your sister?
Like John, I hate cooking •
We use the question what…like? when we are asking for a description of a person, place or thing What’s the restaurant like? “Oh, really good”.
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Like can mean such as/for example Let’s buy him something nice like/such as a CD.
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Feel like+object/-ing is used to talk about something that we want or want to do. I feel like eating some crisps
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Seem sound look like+object is used to introduce an idea we may not be completely sure about
It seems like a good idea. •
Like is not used before an adjective on its own. They seem happy. It feels cold
As •
As can be a preposition, coming before the name of a job or a role, or to describe the purpose of something She works as a sales manager.
As your father, I can’t allow you to do this. We use the loft as a play room for the kids. I think of her as my best friend. •
As can be a conjunction, conjunction, followed by subject + verb. You should do as your parents say I’ll do as we agreed earlier.
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Watch out! In colloquial English
like is also used as a conjunction in this way, but this is regarded as incorrect by some people, ad is not used in formal writing.
Like I said, he’s a really nice guy (colloquial) I want you to do like I tell you (colloquial)
As if/ as though •
As if /as though are conjunctions followed by subject + verb. They are followed by the present or present perfect tense when referring to something likely. It looks as if it’s going to be a nice day. He looks as if he has just won a prize.
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The show that something is imaginary or unlikely, they can be followed by the past tense. He looks as if he had seen a ghost! He behaves as if he knew more than us
Watch out! In colloquial English
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like is often used instead of as
if/though You look like you’re worried (colloquial) It looks like we’re going to win (colloquial)
So such too enough very So and much Form: So + adjective / adverb/determiner adverb/determiner (+noun) (+that clause) The journey was so dangerous that they gave up He has travelled so widely that he’s forgotten what home is like. I had so little information that I couldn’t make a sensible suggestion. It was so hot! (emphatic) Use: so and such are used to introduce a clause of result or for emphasis
Too •
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Form: too+ adjective/adverb/determiner adjective/adverb/determiner (+noun) (+to infinitive) Use: too has a negative meaning the speaker is not happy about the situation. It was too hot to sleep. You’re speaking too quickly - I can’t understand. That’s too much (money). I can’t afford it.
Enough: •
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Form: Adjective /adverb + enough (+to infinitive) He’s rich enough to buy up the whole town. You’re not doing that work carefully enough.
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Enough+ noun (+to infinitive/ +for+ noun) Have you got enough money to get a taxi?
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Use: enough has a positive meaning- the speaker regards the situation as possible.
Very •
Form:
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very +adjective/adverb/d +adjective/adverb/determiner eterminer (+noun)
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Use: very is used for emphasis in either a positive or negative statement. state ment. It is sometimes used when we wish to avoid using a negative word. It’s very difficult , but I think I can do it. He’s working very hard . He’s bound to pass.
Very few people agree with her.
Adverbs Formation of adverbs from adjectives: •
Many adverbs are formed by adding-ly to the adjective form of the word, eg: clear-clearly.
For adjectives ending in –y, drop drop the –y and add –y, e.g. gentle, gently. For adjectives ending in –ic, add ally, e.g. automatic, automatically. •
Some words ending in –ly are adjectives only, not adverbs e.g. cowardly, friendly, silly . If an adverb is needed, a phrase must be used.
They greeted us in a friendly way/manner. •
Some words ending n –ly can –ly can be used both as adjectives and adverbs, e.g. hourly, daily, nightly
Take the medicine twice a day (adv) day (adv) These is a daily(adj) flight to the island. •
Some adverbs have the same form as adjectives, e.g. early, fast, hard, still, straight; better, best worse, best worse, worst.
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Some adverbs have two forms, one like the adjective and the other form ending in –ly. e.g clear, close, direct, easy, free, hard, high, late . There is usually a difference in meaning
Stand clear of the doors. (=keep away) Try to speak more clearly (=so that we can understand) He works very hard (=he makes a lot of effort) He had hardly any petrol left (=almost none) The balloon was high up in the sky (=a long way up= They think very highly of you (= have a good opinion) Children under 12 travel free. (=they don’t have to pay) You can walk freely in the hotel ground (= without restrictions) The train arrived late. He’s not been very well lately (=recently)
Adverbs of manner These adverbs are used to say how the action of the verb is carried out •
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Comm Common on adve adverb rbs s of mann manner er incl includ ude: e: accurate accurately, ly, badly, badly, carefull carefully, y, patiently, straight, well. They usually come in the middle of the sentence, after the main verb. If the verb has an object, the adverb comes after the object.
He spoke (the words) clearly . She went straight to the house. •
Prepositional phrases phrases may also be used adverbially to answer the question how?
I ordered the book over the internet He shouted in a loud voice.
Adverbs of indefinite frequency. •
These adverbs are used to talk about how often we do things. We can put them in order from most often to least often like this:
Always
Almost always Generally/ normally/regularly/usually normally/regularly/usually Frequently/often Sometimes Occasionally Almost never/hardly ever/rarely/seldom Not…ever/never In statements and questions, these adverbs come: •
After be when it is the only verb in the sentence I am always a bit depressed in winter.
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After the first auxiliary verb when there is more than one verb I have often seen her walking here
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Before the main verb when there is only one verb We sometimes watch a video on Friday evenings
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In questions, after the subject Don’t you usually work with Jenny?
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In negative sentences, no comes before always, generally, normally, often, regularly and usually. We don’t often see him nowadays.
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Always and never come never come at the beginning with imperatives.
Always look on the bright side of life Never refuse an opportunity.
Adverbs of definite frequency •
Once Twice
These are common adverbs of definite frequency:
Five times Several times Every day/week / month /morning / afternoon / evening / every three / couple of /few years On Monday / Wednesday/ weekdays, etc. •
These adverbs usually come at the end of the sentence. I phone my sister several times a day He goes jogging every morning They go abroad every few years They may come at the beginning for emphasis
Several times a month I go to the cinema
Sentence adverbs •
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Sentence adverbs do not modify the verb, but express the speaker’s opinion or attitude. The following adverbs explain how he/she is speaking: honestly, personally, seriously, etc.
Personally , I think it’s wrong to hunt animals. Seriously, this is an important question. •
The following adverbs comment on how likely something is: actually, certainly, clearly, definitely, maybe, obviously, perhaps, possibly, probably, surely, etc.
Perhaps/ Maybe it will rain tomorrow. Sure he is going to come? We’ll probably be late •
The following adverbs explain the speaker’s reaction to some event: annoyingly, hopefully, luckily, naturally, surprisingly, understandably, understandably, etc.
Hopefully , we’ll win the match
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Sentence adverbs usually come at the beginning of the sentence. However, the adverbs certainly, definitely, possibly and probably usually probably usually come in the middle of the sentence, after the verb be, before the main verb or after the first auxiliary verb. He is definitely not a friend of mine. I’ll certainly be seeing her tomorrow.
Intensifiers almost, barely, hardly, nearly, scarcely •
These adverbs have a negative meaning. They come in the middle of the sentence. I almost/nearly missed the train.
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We could barely hear the speaker
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She hardly knew anyone at the party.
Modifiers and intensifiers •
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We can use adverbs to make adjectives, other adverbs and verbs stronger or weaker. We can use these adverbs before gradable adjectives (i.e. adjectives that can be used in the comparative) and adverbs: Very, extremely, really, particularly, particularly, terribly (emphatic) Quite, pretty, fairly, rather (weaker than very) A bit
I felt terribly upset when I heard the news. He drives rather fast . I thought the story was a bit silly. •
Watch out! Quite has two meanings: The picture was quite good (=good but not very good) Her cooking was quite wonderful (=very, very good)
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Extreme or absolute (non-gradable) adjectives include: amazing, boiling, disastrous, disastrous, fantastic, freezing, impossible, marvelous, superb, wonderful. We can use the following adverbs with extreme adjectives: absolutely, rather, utterly. The special effects were utterly amazing.
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We can use these adverbs to emphasise adjectives and verbs: just, verbs: just, completely, totally (=in every way?
completely /totally forgot about your birthday. I completely It’s completely impossible to finish in time You look just fantastic.
