Download Grammar Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs, Comparisons, and Sentence Fragments and more Study notes English Language in PDF only on Docsity! LECTURE 16 GRAMMATICAL SENTENCE – ISSUES II ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS G4-a Use adverbs not adjectives as subject complements • The arrangement worked out perfectly for everyone. • I was surprised to hear that Louise had done so well on the exam. G4-b Use adjectives not adverbs as subject complements • The lilacs in our backyard smell especially sweet (not sweetly) this year. • Sarmad looked good in her new raincoat. G4-c Use comparatives and superlatives with care Comparative versus superlative Positive Comparative Superlative Soft softer softest Careful more careful most careful Easy easier easiest Good better best Bad worse worst • Which of these two brands of toothpaste is better? • Though Shaw and Jackson are impressive, Hobbs is the most qualified of the three candidates running for mayor. Form of comparatives and superlatives. • The Kirov was the super best ballet company we had ever seen. • Lolyd’s luck couldn’t have been worse than David’s Double comparatives or superlatives • Of all her family, Julia is the happiest (not most happiest) about the move. • That is the most vile (not vilest) most vilest joke I have ever heard. Absolute concepts • That is the unique (not most unique) wedding grown I have ever seen. • The painting would have been priceless (not more priceless) had it been signed. G4-d Avoid double negatives. • Management is not doing anything (not nothing) to see that the trash is picked up. • George will never (not won’t never) forget that day. docsity.com SENTENCE FRAGMENTS G5-a Attach fragmented subordinate clause or turn them into sentences. • Before: Jane promises to address the problem of limited parking. If she is elected to the tenants’ council. • After: Jane promises to address the problem of limited parking if she is elected to the tenants’ council. • Before: Violence has produced a great deal of apprehension among children and parents. So that self-preservation, in fact, has become their primary aim. • After: Violence has produced a great deal of apprehension among children and parents. Self- preservation, in fact, has become their primary aim. G5-b Attach fragmented phrases or turn them into sentences. • Before: On Sunday James read the newspaper’s employment sections remotest possibility. Scrutinizing every position that held even the remotest possibility. • After: On Sunday James read the newspaper’s employment sections remotest possibility, scrutinizing every position that held even the remotest possibility. • Before: Wednesday morning Phil allowed himself half a grapefruit. The only food he had eaten in two days. • After: Wednesday morning Phil allowed himself half a grapefruit, the only food he had eaten in two days. G5-c Attach other fragmented word groups or turn them into sentences. • Before: The side effects of lithium are many Nausea, stomach cramps, muscle weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, and tremors. • After: The side effects of lithium are many: nausea, stomach cramps, muscle weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, and tremors. Comma splices and fused sentences • Comma splice: Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely • Comma splice: Power tends to corrupt, moreover, absolute power corrupts absolutely • Revised: Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts, absolutely • Revised: Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely • Revised: Power tends to corrupt; moreover, absolute power corrupt absolutely G6-a Consider separating the clause with a comma and a coordinating conjunction • Theo and Fanny had hoped to spend their final days on the farm, but they had to move to a retirement home. docsity.com
