35 Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives and adverbs often bring indispensable differences in meaning to the words they modify. In basketball, for example, there is an important difference between a flagrant foul and a technical foul, a layup and a reverse layup, and an angry coach and an abusively angry coach. In each instance, the modifiers are crucial to accurate communication.

Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns; they answer the questions which? how many? and what kind? Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs; they answer the questions how? when? where? and to what extent? Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives (slight, slightly), but many adverbs are formed in other ways (outdoors) or have forms of their own (very).

Editing Adjectives and Adverbs

AT A GLANCE

  • Scrutinize each adjective and adverb. Consider synonyms for each word to see whether you have chosen the best word possible.
  • See if a more specific noun would eliminate the need for an adjective (mansion rather than enormous house, for instance). Do the same with verbs and adverbs.
  • Look for places where you might make your writing more specific or vivid by adding an adjective or adverb.
  • Check that adjectives modify only nouns and pronouns and that adverbs modify only verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. (35b) Check especially for proper use of good and well, bad and badly, real and really. (35b and c)
  • Make sure all comparisons are complete. (35c)
  • If English is not your first language, check that adjectives are in the right order. (58e)