ADJECTIVES

  • Adjectives name attributes of nouns.
  • Adjectives describe or express the properties or qualities or states of nouns.
  • Adjectives modify (adjectives are modifiers) nouns when used in the attributive position.  For example, “a big man”
  • Adjectives can be pre-modified (usually by intensifying adverbs, post-modified (usually by prepositional phrases or clauses), coordinated, and listed.

(one of | some of | among ) the + SUPERLATIVE + PLURAL NOUN

ADJECTIVES, B1, B2, degree, GSE, indefinite, NOUNS, phrases, plural, PREPOSITIONS, PRONOUNS, quantity, superlative

The grammar “one | some + of the + SUPERLATIVE + PLURAL NOUN” is used to describe something that is among the best or most extreme of its kind. The word “one” or “some” can be used to indicate that the thing being described is only one of a few, while the word “of” indicates that the thing is part of a larger group. The superlative adjective is used to compare the thing being described to all other things of its kind, and the plural noun indicates that the thing is more than one.

(one of | some of | among ) the + SUPERLATIVE + PLURAL NOUN Read More »

EVEN + comparative adjective

ADJECTIVES, B1, comparatives, emphasis, intensity, modify, predicate

In this post, we explore ‘even + comparative’ which is used to emphasize qualities. In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 40 in ADJECTIVES is defined as: ‘even’ to modify and intensify comparative adjectives used predicatively after a verb, usually ‘be’ and ‘get’. We did an iWeb search for even _JJ and highlighted the A2 comparative adjectives:

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quite a + ADJECTIVE

ADJECTIVES, B1, modify, phrases

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 36 in the category of ADJECTIVES/modifying is defined as: adjective phrases ‘quite a’ + adjective For example: The game was quite a simple one. listen An iWeb search for: quite a|an _JJ _NN 1 QUITE A LONG TIME 7672 2 QUITE A LONG WAY 914 3 QUITE A LARGE NUMBER 603 4 QUITE A

quite a + ADJECTIVE Read More »

the best + NOUN + to INFINITVE

ADJECTIVES, B1, CLAUSES, infinitive, NOUNS, superlative

Regardless of what your government decides,  the best way to prevent food waste  is to eat what you buy! TED In this sentence, “the best way to prevent food waste” means the most effective or desirable method that can avoid throwing away food that could be eaten. This highlighted pattern can replace a defining relative clause that identifies the noun. For example: She is the best teacher to

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adjective + noun (range)

ACL, ADJECTIVES, attributive, B1, NOUNS, phrases, position, range

Here is a nonliteral example of using an adjective before a noun that might be considered A2: It‘s been too long my old friend. listen   Here are examples of academic collocation: It’s a pretty accurate description. (listen to this expert example)   He can ask for additional information. (listen to this expert example)   During my school years,  I started reading to get some information  because I was an active participant  in almost all the literary competitions. TLC female India

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SO + adjective + AS + TO-infinitive

ADJECTIVES, C2, CLAUSES, comparatives, formal, GSE, infinitive, polite, request, suggestion

The text discusses the “so + adjective + as + to-infinitive” structure in English, which expresses a state or condition leading to an outcome. It’s used in formal contexts and polite requests. Examples include “so unlucky as to be diagnosed with cancer,” indicating a diagnosis leading to hope, and “so kind as to cast your mind back,” a polite request for reminiscence. The structure is versatile, showing cause and effect in various contexts.

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superlative + prepositional phrase ‘the most natural thing in the world’

ADJECTIVES, B1, NOUNS, phrases, PREPOSITIONS

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 37 in the category of ADJECTIVES is defined as: an increasing range of complex noun phrases with a superlative adjective + prepositional phrase, to talk about something unique. *In both EGP examples the prepositional phrase that follows is either: of_IO my_APPGE life_NN1 in_II our_APPGE lives_NN2 A search in COCA for:

superlative + prepositional phrase ‘the most natural thing in the world’ Read More »

‘He’s not that much better’ (not that much + COMPARATIVE)

ADJECTIVES, C2, comparatives, degree, modify, NEGATIVE

  Yardbarker The Bears’ quarterback has been better of late, but not that much better. *’of late‘ means recently. Point 78 in ADJECTIVES/comparatives is defined as: ‘not that much’ to modify comparative adjectives to a small degree in iWeb: 1 NOT THAT MUCH BETTER 280 2 NOT THAT MUCH BIGGER 109 It’s just not that much bigger. gundogsupply.com (listen to a similar sentence) 3 NOT

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BE + adjective (increasing range)

A2, ADJECTIVES, predicate, range

This post explores the usage of adjectives in the English language, particularly when used predicatively after ‘be’. It delves into the nuances of using ‘weren’t’, a construction that appears to be more complex than A1 level. The post also presents a comprehensive list of common adjectives used in this manner, such as ‘sure’, ‘available’, ‘free’, ‘full’, ‘simple’, ‘perfect’, ‘complete’, ‘true’, ‘clear’, ‘amazing’, ‘interested’, ‘useful’, ‘correct’, ‘surprised’, ‘careful’, and ‘afraid’. These adjectives are ranked by frequency of usage in the iWeb corpus. The post provides numerous examples and context for each adjective, making it a valuable resource for English language learners at all levels.

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MORE + adjective

A2, ADJECTIVES, ADVERBS, comparatives, phrases

The main point is the use of ‘more’ as an adverb to form comparatives of adverbs and adjectives. This is seen at A2 level in the English Grammar Profile. Examples from the iWeb corpus include ‘more likely’, ‘more important’, and ‘more difficult’. The term ‘more’ can also be used with adverbs, which is considered B2 level. Additionally, the term ‘more’ is used with a range of vocabulary in the English Vocabulary Profile, such as ‘advanced’, ‘attractive’, ‘comfortable’, and others.

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