An adjective is a word used to describe a noun. It can be used to answer the questions: what kind, how much and which one? Some examples of adjectives include fast, large, unattractive, several, few, thinnest and most beautiful.
Coordinate adjectives must be separated by a comma. Identify a sentence containing coordinate adjectives by evaluating it based on the following two tests: Does the sentence still make sense when you reorder the adjectives, and can you insert the word "and" between the adjectives with the sentence still making sense? For example, "The hot, angry, hungry dog barked from his cage" makes sense even if you rearrange the adjectives or if you place the word "and" between each adjective.
Noncoordinate adjectives will not form a logical sentence if you reorder the adjectives or put the word "and" between them. For example, "Larry has three ugly coffee cups" does not make sense when you write it as "Larry has ugly three coffee cups," and it doesn't make sense if you write it as "Larry has three and ugly coffee cups."
Comparative adjectives are used to make comparisons and are used only when talking about two or more people, places or things. These adjectives are created by adding -er or -est to the end of the word, or by placing "more" or "less" in front of the word. You cannot do both at the same time. One-syllable words generally take -er at the end of the word, such as "faster than" or "louder than." Two-syllable words can take either the -er ending or "more/less" at the beginning. For example, "I am more intelligent, but Suzie is faster." Use "more/less" before adjectives with three or more syllables.
Superlative adjectives, used to compare three or more nouns, can be formed with -est endings or by placing "more/less" in front of the word, but never both. One-syllable adjectives take -est at the end, such as "loudest." Two-syllable adjectives can take the -est ending or "more/less" at the beginning. For example, "These cats are the happiest, but those cats are the most well-groomed." Adjectives that are three or more syllables long must take "more/less" in front of the word.
An adverb is used to modify or describe adjectives, verbs and other adverbs. For example, to describe the verb running, you can use quickly or slowly. Adverbs answer the questions "how, when and where?"
If a question is asking "how?" an adverb can be used. If the senses of taste, smell, look or feel are being used actively in the sentence, add an -ly ending. For example, in the sentence, "Bob looked angrily at his opponent," the sense of looking is being used as a verb, and so the adverb, "angry," takes an -ly ending.
These two words are commonly mixed up but are used differently depending on the context of the sentence. "Good" is an adjective, whereas "well" is an adverb. For example, "Your eyes look good today" uses "good" to describe your eyes, whereas, "You did well on the test" describes how you did on your test. When talking about health-related topics, always use "well" rather than "good." For example, "I don't feel good," is grammatically incorrect and should be worded as "I don't feel well."
When comparing two or more things using adverbs, always place an -ly ending on the adverb. For example, "He walked quicker than the rest of the group" is incorrect and should be rewritten as "He walked more quickly than the rest of the group." The same rule applies when using commands, such as stay, go or eat. For example, the command "Talk slower" is incorrect and should be written as "Talk more slowly."