This document provides information on using modifiers including: - Defining good and well as modifiers and their proper uses - Explaining the three types of modifiers: adjectives, adverbs, and phrases/clauses - Detailing the three degrees of comparison for modifiers: positive, comparative, superlative - Guiding when to use more/most and less/least versus -er/-est for irregular comparisons

1. Using Modifiers

2. Good and Well
 Use good to modify a noun or pronoun.
 Hervoice sounds very good to me.
(Good modifies the noun voice.)
 Well can be used an adjective meaning “in
good health” or “healthy”
 Use well to modify a verb.
 She sang the national anthem very well.
(Well modifies the verb sang.)

3. What is a Modifier?
 A modifier is a word, a phrase, or a clause that
describes another word or limits the meaning
of a word.
 The two main kinds of modifiers are adjectives
(words that modify nouns and pronouns. As
wise in a wise grandmother) and adverbs
(modifiers of verbs. As very in very nice) -they
are used to compare things.
 (the information in parentheses is from dictionary.com)

4. Degrees of Comparison
 There are three degrees of comparison
 Positive
 Is used when only one thing is being described
 Ex. This suitcase is heavy.
 Comparative
 Is used when two things are being compared
 Ex. My suitcase is heavier than yours.
 Superlative
 Is used when three or more things are being
compared
 Ex. Sylvia’s suitcase is the heaviest of them all.

5. Degrees of Comparison
 Most one-syllable modifiers from their
comparative and superlative degrees by adding
–er and –est
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
Near Nearer Nearest
Bright Brighter Brightest
Brave Braver Bravest
Dry Drier Driest

6. Degrees of Comparison
 Some two-syllable modifiers make their
comparative and superlative degrees by
adding –er or –est, they also use more
and most
 Use more and most (or less and least for
the opposite) to form the degrees of
comparison in the following situations.

7.  Use more and most (or less and least for the
opposite) to form the degrees of comparison in
the following situations.
 adverbs that end in -ly.
 I see Sesto’s point more clearly than
Gabrielle’s.
 modifiers of three or more syllables
 I think the green house is the most attractive
house on the block.
 whenever adding -er and -est sounds awkward.
 John was more afraid than Carol.
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8. Regular Comparison
Two Syllables
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
Simple Simpler Simplest
Healthy Healthier Healthiest
Clearly More clearly Most Clearly
Often More often Most often

9. Degrees of Comparison
 Modifiers that have three or more syllables
form their comparative and superlative
degrees by using more and most.
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
Important More important Most important
Creative More creative Most creative
Happily More happily Most happily
Accurately More accurately Most accurately

10. Regular Comparison Decreasing
Less (comparative) and least (superlative) are always used for
decreasing comparisons
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
Safe Less safe Least safe
Expensive Less expensive Least expensive
Often Less often Least often
Gracefully Less gracefully Least gracefully

11. Irregular Comparison
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
Far Farther Farthest
Good Better Best
Well Better Best
Many More Most
Much More Most

12. Comparative and Superlative Forms
 Use the comparative degree when comparing
two things.
 The second problem is harder than the first.
 Luisa can perform the gymnastic routine more
gracefully than I.
 Use the superlative degree when comparing
more than two things.
 Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain peak.
 Of the three dogs, that one barks the least.

13. Comparative and Superlative Forms
(Double Comparisons)
 The use of both –er and more (less) or both –est
and most (least) to form a degree of comparison.
 Form the comparison in only one of these two ways,
not both.
 INCORRECT: The Asian elephant is more smaller than the
African elephant.
 CORRECT: The Asian elephant is smaller than the African
elephant.
 INCORRECT: Ribbon Falls, in Yosemite National Park, is the
most beautifulest waterfall I have ever seen.
 CORRECT: Ribbon Falls, in Yosemite National Park, is the
most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen.

14. Homework: Write the comparative and superlative
form of the modifier. Then write 1 sentence using
either one of those forms. For example:
 POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
 happy happier happiest
 She seems happier this week then she did last
week.
 tiny tinier tiniest
 Out of the entire family she was the tiniest.
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15.  POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
1. brave
2. comfortable
3. long
4. icy
5. hesitant
6. big
 just
 pretty
1. loud
2. scary 15