Adjectives and Adverbs

Guidance will be given to enable you to (a) clearly see the linguistic structures of the following expressions; and (b) readily produce expressions with such structures.
To ensure your success, adequate examples will be further provided with clear explanation.

Adjectives ending in –ing and - ed

• • She is a very charming lady. I must admit that I am much charmed by her.
  • My job is satisfying and I am well satisfied.
  • Asked to give a speech when I was unprepared, I felt quite embarrassed. That was an embarrassing occasion.
  • Her beauty is beguiling. I am beguiled by her beauty.
  • The offer is too enticing to refuse.

Adjectives and Adverbs: Form and function

Different forms for different functions

• • His English is very good. (adjective)
  • He can express himself very well. (adverb)

Same form for different functions

• • I was late for class today. (adjective)
  • I got up late this morning. (adverb)
  • Cotton is soft but diamond is hard. (adjective).
  • To get a good grade, she is working hard. (adverb)

Different forms for same function

• • This train goes direct to London. (adverb)
  • I shall communicate with the Chief Executive direct. (adverb)
  • We are not directly affected by the changes in taxation. (adverb)
  • She is directly descended from Charles Dickens. (adverb)
  • To get a good grade, she is working hard. (adverb)
  • We have met only once or twice. We hardly know each other. (adverb)

Adjectives and Adverbs

• • alive vs live
  • shrunk vs shrunken (a shrunken shirt)
  • sunk vs sunken (a sunken ship)
  • the President elect, the heir apparent (to the throne), from time immemorial
  • the emotionally disturbed, the mentally handicapped
  • The wise look to the wiser for advice.
  • The innocent are often deceived by the unscrupulous.
  • The alert may notice my irony; the sleepy may not.
  • It is a movie that appeals to the young.
  • I badly need that job.
  • He talks learnedly (note pronunciation)
  • He is markedly better paid. (note pronunciation)
  • Nothing else happened.
  • You must have left the keys somewhere else.