Using Modifiers

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. Sylvias suitcase is the heaviest of them all.

Degrees of Comparison
Most one-syllable modifiers from their comparative and superlative degrees by adding er and est
Positive Comparative Superlative

Close Slow
Straight Sly

Closer Slower
Straighter Slier

Closest Slowest
Straightest Sliest

Less (comparative) and least (superlative) are always used for decreasing comparisons
less bright, least bright less brave, least brave

Degrees of Comparison
While some two-syllable modifiers make their comparative and superlative degrees by adding er or est, they also use more (less) and most (least)
Positive Simple Easy Jealous Swiftly Comparative Simpler Easier More jealous More swiftly Superlative Simplest Easiest Most jealous Most swiftly

There is no test to know which way to use other than looking in a dictionary.

Degrees of Comparison
Modifiers that have three or more syllables form their comparative and superlative degrees by using more (less) and most (least).
Positive Powerful Illegible Joyfully Attractively Comparative More powerful More illegible More joyfully More attractively Superlative Most powerful Most illegible Most joyfully Most attractively

Practice 1

Irregular Comparison
There are a few exceptions. The comparative and superlative degrees of some modifiers are not formed by using the regular methods.
Positive Bad Far Good Well Many Much Comparative Worse Farther Better Better More More Superlative Worst Farthest Best Best Most Most

Good and Well

Use good to modify a noun or a pronoun Use well to modify a verb.
The weather was good on the day of the game. If you like pears, here is a good one. The trees are producing well this fall.

Well may also be used as an adjective meaning in good health or healthy

Mom feels quite well today.

Practice 5-2-A

Double Comparisons
No double comparisions! A double comparison is the use of both -er and more (less) ORest and most (least) to form a comparison.
Incorrect
This is Kathys most finest performance

Correct
This is Kathys finest performance

Avoid Double Negatives

A double negative is the use of two negative words to express one negative idea Common Negative Words: barely, never, none, nothing, hardly, no, no one, nowhere, neither, nobody, not (nt), and scarcely Incorrect
We couldnt hardly move into the subway car.

Correct
We could hardly move into the subway car.

Practice 5-4

Placement of Modifiers
Place modifying words, phrases, and clauses as close as possible to the words they modify.
A modifier that seems to modify the wrong word in a sentence is called a misplaced modifier
Ex. One ballplayer from Akron gave a TV interview for his fans. (modifies ballplayer) Ex. One ballplayer gave a TV interview for his fans from Akron. (modifies fans) Ex. From Akron, one ballplayer gave a TV interview for his fans. (modifies gave)

Placement of Modifiers
A modifier that seems to modify the wrong word in a sentence is called a misplaced modifier.
Misplaced: Amazed, the dinosaur exhibit thrilled my brother and his friends. Correct: Amazed, my brother and his friends were thrilled with the dinosaur exhibit.

A modifier that does not clearly modify another word in a sentence is called a dangling modifier.
Dangling: Before moving to Philadelphia, Mexico City had been their home. Correct: Before moving to Philadelphia, they had lived in Mexico City.

Practice 5-5-A

Practice 5-5-B

Practice 5-6-A

Tuesday Practice
1. Is classical architecture the (more, most) symmetrical of all styles? 2. Were the Phoenicians or the Romans (the best, better) sailors?

Wednesday Practice
1. What is the (tallest, most tallest) tree in the world? 2. A rectangle is (more longer, longer) on one pair of sides than on the other pair.

Thursday Practice
Most of the following sentences contain misplaced or dangling phrases or clauses. Identify each misplaced or dangling modifier. Then, on the line provided, revise each sentence so that it is clear and correct.

1. Totally lost in Mexico City, no one had a map. 2. The poem was written by James Weldon Johnson that we read today.