Grammar II Day 2

Adverbs and Adjectives

Day 2
Position of adverbs: adverb + adjective;
adverb + verb; front, mid or end position
Adverb collocation
Adverbs with two forms
Just and its several meanings
Intensifying adverbs and verbs
Quite + adjectives
Participles in adverb clauses
Subordinate adverbial clauses

Ensino de Lngua Inglesa e Novas

Tecnologias - Gramtica II

Day 2

Adjective order
Limit adjectives
Gradable adjectives
Intensifying adjectives
Participles as adjectives
Participles as reduced relative clauses
Subordinate adjectival clauses

Ensino de Lngua Inglesa e Novas

Tecnologias - Gramtica II

There are several types of adverb

Manner: quickly,
gently, sincerely
Place: here,
outside, upstairs
Point in time:
yesterday,
tonight
Indefinite time:
already, still, yet

Frequency: always,
never, seldom
Comment: clearly,
obviously,
naturally
Linking: however,
so, although
Degree/intensifier:
very, nearly, really

Same adverb, different type

Some can be both comment and manner
I can see the yacht clearly
Clearly, you need to cut down on the junk food

Sensibly
He (A) discussed the design with her
(B).
A It was wise
way

B In a sensible

Honestly
(B)I don't think the mayor is capable of
answering the questions (A).
(honestly)
A In a honest way
truth

B I'm telling the

Obviously

He (B) realized she wasn't (A) well.

A- Of course she wasn't B- Of course he

did

Kindly
The pilots (B) agreed to speak to the
journalists (A).
A In a kind way
them

B it was kind of

Adverb position
Immediately before the adjective or past
participle being qualified
We were deeply disappointed with his
performance

Usually after the predicate (verb + object)

being qualified
I love the classic composers very much

Adverb position
There are 3 main positions in the English
sentence: front, mid and end
Today, we're studying adverbs
We sincerely hope you can make it to the ball
She speaks five languages fluently

Adverb position
The position changes in accordance with
the type of adverb
Front position: Point in time, Comment,
Linking
Tomorrow we're going to Paris
Obviously, I got it wrong
It was raining, so we went back home

Adverb position
Mid-position: Manner, Indefinite time,
Frequency, Comment
She quickly tidied her room and ran to catch
the bus
Sorry, but I still don't understand
I seldom drink tea in the morning
I apparently got it wrong

Adverb position
End position: Manner, Place, Point in time
She tidied up quickly
They're playing outside
We'll be leaving in the morning

Adverbs to express completion

They come in mid-position
I have completely forgot about the party
We have almost completed the course

Adverb order
With more than one adverbial in the end
position, we use the manner, place, time
order:
We watched the sun rise slowly and
majestically above the horizon.
I waited for you at home yesterday. Why
didn't you call?

Exercise 1: correct or incorrect?

I've already seen the film - CORRECT
You very nearly killed me! What were you thinking?
(spoken example, very colloquial, for the purpose of
emphasis)
I'll naturally pay you back as soon as I get paid
INCORRECT (NATURALLY, ILL PAY YOU BACK...)
We just sat around at home lazily watching the day go by.
- CORRECT
The team last night played superbly well. INCORRECT
(LAST NIGHT, THE TEAM PLAYED... Or ... THE TEAM
PLAYED SUPERBLY WELL LAST NIGHT)
I got a nearly full score on the test. INCORRECT (I NEARLY
GOT...

Adverb collocation
There seems to be a semantic link
between adverbs and certain verbs and
adjectives, e.g. deeply is normally used to
express intense feelings:
Deeply regret
Deeply embarrassing
Deeply hurt

Exercise 2: what's the adverb +

adjective/verb combination in each
sentence?
If we admit something, we feel free to do
so. FREELY ADMIT
When we recommend something or
someone, we make high recommendations
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Any sort of damage is usually severe in
terms of impact. SEVERLY DAMAGE
If you're in a hurry to get to the office, you
can take a brisk walk instead of trying the
subway. BRISKLY WALK(ING)

Exercise 2: what's the adverb +

adjective combination in each
sentence?
Missing someone is always a sad affair. SADLY
MISS/SORELY MISS
Anxiety and despair go hand in hand; so the
need to be desperate is more than natural.
DESPERATELY NEED/ SORELY NEED
When giving an opinion about a controversial
issue, there is no way we can not have strong
feelings about it STRONGLY FEEL
Partial insurance is no insurance whatsoever;
accept nothing but full coverage FULLY
INSURANCE

Exercise 3: Match a verb on the left

with an adverb on the right
Scream (Hysterically)
Gaze (Longingly,
Passionately)
Love (Passionately)
Break something
(Deliberately)
Work
(Conscientiously)
Apologize (Profusely)

Passionately
Profusely
Longingly
Hysterically
Conscientiously
Deliberately

Adverbs with two forms

One with the ly suffix, one without.
The meanings are not directly related
We work hard
We hardly recognized her with the new
hairdo.

Other adverbs with two forms

Easy easily
Late lately
Sure surely
Wrong- wrongly
Most mostly
Wide - widely

Adverbs with two forms

The first in the pair doubles as an
adjective and adverb
That was an easy test!
Hey take it easy!
You could have easily taken him down
Is he just going to walk free?
Don't forget to redeem your free gift
He talked freely about his illegal
activities in public.

Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence

below without changing the meaning
The need for a stiff penalty for late deliveries
will be highly unlikely.
Its virtually improbable that we will need to
apply a stiff penalty for late deliveries.
The necessity for a stiff penalty for late
deliveries will be highly unlikely.

Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence

below without changing the meaning
I distinctly remember their saying that it
would not be a problem to meet the deadline.
I clearly remember them saying that it would
be fine to meet the deadline.
I clearly remember when they said (that) it
would not be a problem to meet the deadline.

Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence

below without changing the meaning
I sincerely hope the company honors its
impeccable reputation.
Honestly, I hope the company honors/upholds
its unmistakable/untainted/flawless/spotless
reputation.

Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence

below without changing the meaning
We eagerly await the outcome of next week's
board meeting.
We anxiously await/are looking forward to the
outcome of next week's board meeting.
We can barely/hardly wait for the outcome of
next week's board meeting.

Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence

below without changing the meaning
That no one can accurately predict market
trends is understandable, but I felt the need
for more meticulous planning.
Its
understandable/reasonable/justifiable/compre
hensible that no one can precisely predict
market trend, but I felt the need for more
detailed planning, (however/though).

Attitude adverbs and adverbials

3 umbrella categories

Certainty/Expectation

Astonishingly
Disturbingly
Inevitably
Naturally
Predictably
Not surprisingly

Obviously
Without a doubt
As might be
expected
Clearly
Of course
Undoubtedly

Evaluation/Importance

Apparently
Disturbingly
Unfortunately
Fortunately
Interestingly
Quite rightly
(Even) More importantly
Significantly

Generalization

As a general rule
By and large
Typically
Generally speaking
On the whole

Exercise 5: Rephrase with an adverb

NOT SURPRISINGLY, Crime rates have risen in line
with unemployment figures. That doesn't surprise
me.
FORTUNATELY, there is a very satisfactory solution to
the problem.That's a good thing.
Technology will cause more problems than it solves,
APPARENTLY (so people say).
Older people don't adapt so easily to new technology,
AS A RULE (at least that's a general rule).
INTERESTINGLY/STRANGELY, children often pick up
new skills for themselves. That really interests me.

Just
The adverb just has several meanings:
This house is just right for us. (Exactly)
But he's just a boy! (Only)
I've just tried phoning you. (A short time
before)
I'm just getting dressed. (Right now)
I just want you to leave right now. I'd just like
an egg for breakfast, please. (Simply, only)
You're just as bad as my father. He can't see a
football match on TV. (Equally, no less)

Just
As it has several meanings, it can occupy
the three main adverb positions in a
sentence :
Just looking at him and you can tell who he
looks like.
Do you think you could just do what I tell you?
In the end we managed to get there before
they closed the doors just. (Spoken English)

Exercise 6: Add just to the sentences

Italian's JUST as difficult as Spanish.

JUST Leave me alone, will you?
That picture looks JUST right on the wall.
It's starting to rain. Do you JUST happen to have
an umbrella?
We've got JUST enough time to get to the
airport
I've JUST seen a terrible accident.
Stop talking and JUST eat up!
He wasn't badly hurt. It was JUST a small
bruise.

Intensifying adverbs
In most of these combinations, however,
there seems to be no specific reason for
their collocation

Totally
Absolutely
Quite

Agree

Totally
Completely
Fully
Perfectly
Seriously
Sincerely
Completely
Strongly
Entirely
Really
Thoroughly
Greatly

Disagree
Understand

Believe
Forget
Disapprove
Depend
Like
Enjoy
Appreciate

Impossible combinations
Sincerely agree
Quite disagree
Totally remember
Fully think
Completely adore
Fully destroy
Strongly like

Intensifying adverbs
The type of adverb depends on the
type of adjective with which it might
combine:
With gradable adjectives: very,
awfully, rather, extremely, terribly,
fairly, really, pretty, quite
With limit adjectives: absolutely,
completely, utterly, totally, entirely,
pretty, really, simply, quite

Weak

Limit

Extreme 1 Extreme 2

Irritated

Angry

Furious

Livid

Significant

Important

Essential

Vital

Content

Happy

Delighted

Ecstatic

Pretty

Beautiful

Gorgeous

Stunning

Sizeable

Big

Enormous

Gigantic

Intensifying adverbs
In general, the native speaker does not make
the following combinations:
totally essential, entirely determined, completely
furious

Combinations that are (no-brainers) always

possible:
Very + gradable adjectives e.g. very happy/tired/big
Absolutely + limit adjectives e.g. absolutely
enormous/delicious/delighted
Really + gradable and limit adjectives e.g. really
angry/surprised/amazed

Exercise 7: Complete the following

paragraph with an appropriate adverb
I feel I must write to you on the following
matter. I DO/TRULY/QUITE/HONESTLY believe
that there is far too much sport of all kinds
shown on LTC television today. I STRONGLY
disapprove of the non-stop coverage, of
football, golf, and cricket on all your channels. I
DO/SINCERELY admit sport plays a major role in
our society, but this is unacceptable. Sundays
are already COMPLETELY/FULLY taken up by
sport. I CERTAINLY/REALLY/SURELY/DO hope you
will listen to those who are not sports fanatics
and provide some alternative entertainment.

The adverb Quite

The meaning of quite is
phonologically determined, i.e. based
on stress
With gradable adjectives and stress on
quite = Ok, but not as good as I
expected: The restaurant was quite
good, but I wouldn't go back

The adverb Quite

With gradable adjectives and with stress
on the adjective = It was better than I
expected: The film was quite good. You'll
really like it
With a limit adjetive and stress on both
words = up to the top (with exaggerated
rising intonation): Are you quite sure?

Adverbial clauses
He went to party dressed as a
monkey.
She sat by the fire reading a book.
Opening his suitcase, he took out a
revolver.
Released from its cage, the lion
prowled around.
Having finished lunch, we set off.

Adverbial clauses
Being a mean person, he never spent
more time than he had to.
Weakened by years of bad health,
she could hardly sit up in bed.
It rained every day for two weeks,
completely ruining our holiday.
Taken regularly, aspirin can reduce
the risk of a stroke.

Exercise 8: Simultaneity,
Consequence, Reason, Condition,
Sequence
Living in London, I appreciate the pros and cons
of city life. REASON
He cut himself opening a can of sardines.
SIMULTANEITY
Having read the minutes of the meeting, I wrote
my university final paper. SEQUENCE
Having read the minutes of the meeting, I
understood the problems.
REASON/CONSEQUENCE

Exercise 8: Simultaneity,
Consequence, Reason, Condition,
Sequence
Cooked in a white wine sauce, rabbit meat can be
succulent. CONDITION
Knowing my love of chocolate, she hid it in the
top cupboard. REASON
Wrested from his parents' arms as a child, he's
always had difficulty establishing relationships.
REASON/CONSEQUENCE
Browsing in the neighborhood newsstand, I came
across this great book on computing skills.
SIMULTANEITY

Adjectives - Position
Attributive use: before noun or pronoun
Predicative use: separated from noun or
pronoun following linking verbs - be, seem,
appear, look:
The current economic situation
looks grim, to say the least.

Predicative adjectives

Afloat
Afraid
Alive
Alone
Asleep

Another predicative adjective

Clergymen are answerable to a higher
authority

Difference in meaning
The treasurer was present at the last board
meeting
The present treasurer had trouble getting the
accounts in order CURRENT
Robin Harris was late
The late Robin Harris was a honorary member of
the association DECEASED
Too many people in the world are still poor
What will become of those poor people who have
lost their homes due to the landslides? PITIFUL

Exercise 9: Translate the sentences

Great men are not always wise. (Grandes homens nem sempre so
sbios)
Peter and Paul were faithful in many ways. (Peter e Paul eram/foram
leais de vrias maneiras)
A good name is priceless. (Um nome limpo no tem preo)
We should be reasonable irrespective of the circumstances (Devemos
ser sensatos independentemente/a despeito das circustncias)
The sword is quick and powerful. (A espada rpida e poderosa)
The rich man is wealthy beyond imagination. (O homem rico tem
posses inimaginveis)
The sky grew dark as the storm approached. (O cu escurecia medida
que a tempestade se aproximava)
His trumpet sounds squeaky. (O trompete dele soa estridente)
This is shoddy. Isn't it poor? (Isso uma porcaria, no ?)
The hamburger tasted greasy. (O hambrguer estava gorduroso)

Position of Adjectives
Adjectives occupy the last position before
the noun phrase:
determiners: both, all, half, the, this, these,
that, those, my etc.
ordinals: last, next, other, first, second
quantifiers: few, lot of, little, numerals
adjectives

OPINION
FACTUAL
SIZE
AGE/TEMPERATURE
SHAPE
COLOR/PATTERN
ORIGIN
MATERIAL
PURPOSE/TYPE

Its a rose. (sweet-smelling; exquisite;

apricot-colored) Its a exquisite, sweetsmelling, apricot-colored rose

Shes wearing trousers. (leather; black,

shiny; tight-fitting)
Shes wearing shiny, tight-fitting, black,
leather trousers

I met a student. (young; trendy; art;

Venezuelan)
I met a trendy, young, Venezuelan, art
student

We drove out of the city to see some

cottages. (thatched; old; beautiful; twostorey)
We drove out of the city to see some
beautiful, old, thatched, two-storey cottages

Exercise 11: Translate the sentences to

English
Delicioso po integral caseiro (Delicious, homemade, whole wheat bread).
Uma simptica idosa escocesa (A friendly old
Scottish lady).
Uma linda camisa de seda listrada em vermelho e
branco (A beautiful red-and-white-stripped silk shirt).
Um lindo menino gorducho e agitado (A cute,
chubby, lively boy).
Uma graciosa sala de estar iluminada e arejada com
p-direito alto (A lovely, bright, breezy, highceilinged living room).

Exercise 11: Translate the sentences to

English
Um inestimvel quadro impressionista do sculo
XIX. (A priceless, nineteenth-century,
impressionist painting)
Um velho e sujo banquinho metlico de jardim (A
dirty old metal garden stool).
Uma linda escrivaninha vitoriana (A beautiful
Victorian desk).
Uma encantadora casa de campo caiada. (A
charming whitewashed country house)
Uma pequena copa em forma de L.(A small Lshaped dining room)

The negative prefix 'un'

The use of the negative prefix 'un' plus an

adjective occurs with a much higher frequency
in English, the phrase not always being simple
or practical to translate.

China's prime minister, Wen Jiabao, said

recently that structural problems are causing
unsteady, unbalanced, uncoordinated, and
unsustainable development. Newsweek, 5/9/09
O primeiro-ministro chins Wen Jiabao, afirmou
recentemente que problemas estruturais vem
ocasionando desenvolvimento instvel,
desequilibrado, descoordenado e insustentvel.
Newsweek, 5/9/09

Semantically, the prefix can cause

ambiguity, as it can mean "the opposite of"
or "that never was".

 An unbuttoned shirt (In Portuguese "uma

camisa desabotoada" or "uma camisa nunca
abotoada/nova em folha")
Other examples uncovered, unfastened,
undone, undressed etc.

I regret to say that of a workmate, but his behavior

was absolutely unprofessional.
- unprofessional > amador
- unprofessional> anti-profissional, anti-tico

Whereas her big sisters room was a stew of

unclosed books, unfolded clothes, unmade
bed, unemptied ashtrays, Briony's was a
shrine to her controlling demon. (Atonement,
2001)
Enquanto o quarto da sua irm era uma
mistura de livros abertos, roupas para serem
dobradas, uma cama desarrumada,
cinzeiros cheios, o de Briony era um templo
para sua obsesso por controle. (Atonement,
2001)

Defining or Non-defining relative

clauses

Which gives essential information?

Which is separated by commas?
In which do we use that?
In which can the relative pronoun be
omitted?

Examples
Chocolate is something (that) nearly
everyone likes
People that smoke normally damage their
health
Tortilla, which is made from eggs and
potatoes, is a typical Spanish dish
Toby, whose job is difficult, spends his
weekends relaxing

Exercise 10: Find and correct the errors

My mother who's a doctor works in a maternity
hospital
Ligaments join bones in the human body are
made of strong tissue
Do you know anyone I can ask about this?
The pharmacist gave me this medicine said it
would help
Distance running is a sport that requires no
special equipment
Dr. James, that has written several books on the
subject, is a dietician

Relative pronouns in academic English

It is a rare condition of which little is
known
Professor Harris, with whom the team
worked, found a cure for the disease

Quantifiers in non-defining relative

clauses
Questionnaires were sent to 500 people,
one third of whom completed them