ADJECTIVES/ADVERBS
-
Proper adjectives are always written with capital letters
e.g. British pluck, Arabic language/numerals but Arabian camel
I.COMPARISON
IRREGULAR forms
Good
Better
The best
Bad
Worse
The worst
Far
Farther
The farthest (=distant)
Further
The furthest (=additional)
Little
Less
The least
Much/many
More
The most
e.g. at the further end of the street, a further discussion, until further notice, nothing further to say
Older/Elder: to refer to age is older (and used predicatively)- My brother is older than me. (but My
elder brother- implies seniority- my eldest son)
Latter/Latest/ Latter/ the Last: Later news says that…(recent); His latest novel (the most recent)
Latter (as opposed to Former)- the second of the two
Foremost refers to rank, quality- One can’t tell who is foremost in the list of great novelists (The
first shows sequence in a series: Yours was the first).
LESS (quantity)/LESSER (quality): choose the lesser evil. I have less time for trips this year.
I.1. Monosyllabic adjectives make the comparison in –ER and –EST
I.2. Polysyllabic adjectives make the comparison by adding MORE and THE MOST
I.3. THE + COMPARATIVE when 2 changes happen in the same time
e.g. The older I get the happier I am.
I am getting fatter and fatter.
I.4. The comparative is used for a comparison between 2 elements and the superlative for a
comparison between more than 2
e.g. I have two houses but I like the bigger. / Choose the lesser of two evils.
She is the most beautiful of all our colleagues.
I.5.The comparative expresses contrast: the upper/lower lip
-More/Most can have uses that are not comparative inflections:
e.g. He is more than happy about it.
He is more good than bad.
She
is
most
unhappy/beautiful
(extremely-
absolute
superlative:
exceedingly,
tremendously, oversensitive, ultramodern)
I.6. Put POSSIBLE after the noun modified by a superlative: It is the best solution possible
under the circumstances.
I.7. SIMILES/set expressions
as brave as a lion
as fat as a barrel
to climb like a monkey
as heavy as lead
to come like whirlwind
as hungry as a wolf
to drink like a fish to swim like a fish
as regular as clockwork
to run like the wind
as sour as vinegar
to shout like a madman
as strong as a bull
to tremble like a leaf
II.THE PLACE OF ADJECTIVES
II.1. The order of adjectives
Attitude
Seize
Shape
Age
Colour
Origin
Material
Purpose
Noun
Chinese
Nylon
Tennis
Racket
Pattern
Nice
Long
Tight
Antique
Black
Striped
II.2. Some adjectives are never used before the noun they describe: afraid, alike, alive, alone
asleep, ashamed, awake, aware, ill, upset
e.g. I have been ill for a long time. / I examined the sick person yesterday.
The animal was alive. / It was a living animal.
III.ADJECTIVE MODIFIERS
She is so nice a person. / She is such a nice person. / She is too special a girl.
III.1. Intensifying adjectives (Emphasizers) with a heightening effect: pure fabrication,
a clear failure, an outright lie, a definite loss, a total nonsense, a perfect idiot, the
absolute limit, the very end/person (amplifiers) as opposed to downtoners (a slight
effort, a feeble joke, kind of clever).
III.2. Postmodifying adjectives can be seen as reduced relative clauses
e.g. The men present were his friends. (who were present)/ anyone intelligent can do this.
(who is intelligent)/ I would like to try on something larger (which is larger). The people
involved/concerned/ The hotel opposite
-Adjectives are postposed when:
a. accompanied by a phrase expressing measurement: a house five floors
high/ a river two hundred miles long
b. there are two or more coordinate adjectives: he was a big man, squareshouldered and handsome
c. the adjective is followed by a prepositional phrase: a person worthy of
respect/greedy for money
d. after a proper name and the definite article: Charles-the-Great
e. the A-adjectives: the house ablaze, the boats afloat
III.3. Modification of comparatives with: still, even, far, a lot, a great deal, rather,
somewhat, scarcely, hardly, a little etc.
e.g. She is far more beautiful than you.
I have much more money than you. (with uncountable nouns)
I have many more friends than you. (with countable nouns)
III.4. Modification of superlatives with VERY and BY FAR
e.g. He is the very best pupil in our class. / He is by far the best pupil in our class.
She is by far the best of us all.
III.5. Adjectives premodified with intensifying adverbs
e.g.
unbelievably cute, amazingly calm, deeply/highly/strikingly/sharply critical
(other amplifiers such as awfully sorry, downright ridiculous, totally unacceptable,
entirely free, perfectly reasonable as well as downtoners such as a bit dull, nearly
dark, hardly noticeable, somewhat uneasy, sort/kind of (He’s sort of clever; He spoke
kind of proudly) and emphasisers such as really beautiful, all confused, just
impossible.
III.6. The adverb ENOUGH postmodifies the adjectives: high enough, good enough
IV. EXPRESSIONS WITH ADJECTIVES
to keep still, to sit quiet, to remain open, to die young, to look good, to sound good
V. THE MEANING OF ADJECTIVES
V.1. Adjectives with almost similar forms
economic = connected to economy
politic = wise, prudent
economical = thrifty
political = connected to history
historic = famous
comic = related to comedy
historical = connected to history
comical = funny
classic = standard
classical = related to language/
civilisation
V.2. Some nouns denoting materials have corresponding adjectives in –EN (proper meaning) and
in –Y (figurative meaning)
e.g. a stony heart / a stone chair
a golden watch / a gold rule
VI. ADJECTIVES/NOUNS + PREFIXES
UN-
IN-
DIS-
MIS-
Unavoidable
Inaccurate
Dishonest
Mistaken
Unborn
Inactive
Disloyal
Mistimed
Uncomfortable
Inadequate
Disobedient
Misunderstood
Unconscious
Inanimate
Uncountable
Inarticulate
Disorder
Misspelt
Uneconomic
Inattentive
Distasteful
Mislead
Unemployed
Incapable
Disapproval
Unfortunate
Inconvenient
Disagreement
Misbehaviour
Unhappy
Incorrect
Disappearance
Misjudgement
Unattractive
Incredible
Discomfort
Mischance
Ungrateful
Indecisive
Displeasure
Misfortune
Unhealthy
Indefinite
Disrespect
Misconduct
Misplaced
Unkind
Indirect
Disbelief
Unknown
Inexcusable
Disconnection
Unlucky
Insane
Disadvantage
Unpleasant
Insecure
Dislike
Unnecessary
Insensitive
Unofficial
Inseparable
Unreliable
Insignificant
Unprofessional
Intolerable
Unreasonable
Invisible
Untidy
Untruthful
Unwell
Unusual
Unsafe
Unpredictable
IL-
IM-
IR-
UP- / DOWN-
Illegal
Impossible
Irregular
Upsetting
Downhearted
VII. ADJECTIVES + SUFFIXES
-ABLE
-IBLE
-PROOF
-ATE
Admirable
Convertible
Waterproof
Adequate
Avoidable
Divisible
Soundproof
Separate
Capable
Edible
Bulletproof
Affectionate
Desirable
Flexible
Memorable
Horrible
Probable
Intelligible
Respectable
Possible
Taxable
Responsible
Valuable
Terrible
Washable
- Derivation with suffixes (Also see Adjectives with almost similar forms)
–ic/-ical with a difference in meaning: a classic performance (great, memorable)/ classical
languages/music; a comic masterpiece (comedy)/a comical behaviour (funny, less usual); an
economic miracle (economy)/an economical car (money-saving); a historic building (with a history)/
a historical research (pertaining to history); an electric light (by electricity)/ an electrical fault (of
electricity); a politic behaviour (tactic)/ political parties (concerned with politics)
VIII. OTHER ADJECTIVES
VIII.1. adjectives ending in -Y : foggy, healthy, pretty
VIII.2. adjectives ending in –LY: motherly, friendly, daily, lively, homely, lovely, lively,
silly. The adverbs will be such as: in a cowardly manner/way/fashion.
VIII.3. Adjectives can be Adverbs
e.g. a high mountain/flying high; deep water/swim deep (deeply hurt/highly place- have a
change in meaning)
- An adjective should be used when the subject is being described: He felt good. / The tea
tastes good.
-An adverb should be used when the action is being described: He felt the wall cautiously. /
He is tasting the tea cautiously.
- Uses of adjectives or adverbs can make a change in meaning: He looks good (He has a
good appearance). / He looks well (healthy).
IX. OTHER ADVERBS
IX.1. Adverbs of place formed with the suffix –wards: The window faces northwards/
southwards.
IX.2. Adverbs of time to emphasize: He still doesn’t understand. He still studies to become
an actor. He is still abroad (continuation)
IX.3. Adverbial phrases of duration: since, for, till, until, during, by, in (in the holiday)
IX.4. Adverbs of frequency: every other day, on five occasions, a time or two (occasional
frequency), commonly, normally (usual frequency), constantly, permanently, perpetually,
(continuous frequency) and also high/low frequency.
IX.5. Adverbs of degree: nearly, quite, just, barely, fairly, adj+enough. (emphasizers:
definitely, frankly, indeed, really, obviously, for sure/certain and intensifiers/amplifiers –
fully, altogether, entirely, utterly (maximizers), enormously, highly, intensely, bitterly,
deeply, badly, strongly, by far, a great
IX.6. Adverbs of manner with derivational suffixes: cowboy-style, sideways, schoolboyfashion, clockwise
IX.7. The adverb ‘always’ preceded by CAN/COULD expresses a certainty: You can
always sleep on the floor (you can certainly).
IX.8. The adverb ‘well’ preceded by modals implies probability: It may well be true. (It is
quite likely to be true)
IX.9. Adverbs such as ‘in no circumstances’, ‘on no account’, ‘only in this way’, ‘at no
time’ are emphasizers and take the inverted form of the verb: At no time will he be allowed to
do this.
IX.10. Adverbs such as back/forward, up/down, in/out, round, over, placed in front take an
inverted form: Back came John (but with a pronoun: Back he came/In she came), Down fell
the apples (Down they fell).
X. OTHERS
X.1. Boosters denoting a high degree (a great deal) and downtoners
X.2. Approximators: almost, practically, nearly, all but, virtually
X.3. Compromisers: kind/sort of, enough, rather, sufficiently
X.4. Diminishers: partly, slightly, somewhat, to some extent, least of all, a bit, merely,
simply
X.5. Minimizers: hardly, at all, in the least, in the slightest, a bit
X.6. The adverbs fairly/barely convey a favourable meaning, rather a negative one while
pretty is neutral: It’s fairly warm in here (warm enough, approval)/ It’s rather warm in here
(too warm, disapproval)/It’s pretty hot in here (stating a fact, neutrality)
X.7. Intensity of feeling: I very much hope this to be true! (I firmly believe)/ Half as much
as
XI. OTHER ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS:
SUCH is an adjective, SO is an adverb: It was such a hot day /The day was so hot.
Helter-shelter: in disordered haste
Hurly-burly: commotion
Pell-mell, razzle-dazzle: spree, joy
Hee-how: ass’s bray
Shelve, ed: put aside, save
All the latest gossip
Trustworthy
Blameworthy
Now make some practice on Adjectives/Adverbs
1. ON ADJECTIVES (Mihai Zdrenghea, Anca Greere, A Practical English Grammar (with
exercises), Cluj, Clusium, 1997)
EXERCISE P.072 / THE ADJECTIVE
boundless, rampant, effective, ghostly, inaudible, massy, obvious, quarrelsome, spacious, usual,
temperate, regretful, penniless, legal, heroic, negligible, fabulous, dogmatic, cumbersome,
affluent
Find an adjective from the list above to fit each of the following meanings:
1. having plenty of money to spend
2. without limits
3. difficult to carry
4. bold or disobedient; refusing to recognize authority
5. emphatic in expressing opinions; to do with dogmas
6. having an effect; to bring about the result intended
7. incredible or absurd; celebrated in fables
8. like a ghost; very bad causing fear
9. like or fit for a hero
10. that cannot be heard
11. authorized by law
12. solid, heavy
13. of little or no importance or size
14. easily seen or understood
15. without any money
16. quick tempered; fond of quarrels
17. sad, sorry
18. roomy, having plenty of space
19. showing temperance; behaving with temperance
20. such as commonly happens; customary
EXERCISE P.073-1 / THE ADJECTIVE
Complete the sentences with adjectives ending in -able, ible, -uble derived from the verbs given
in brackets:
1. His moods are ...... . (change).
2. He is in the ...... position of being completely independent. (envy)
3. Children’s minds are very ..... . (impress)
4. Britain has many miles of ...... waterways. (navigate)
5. They complained of the ...... smell from the factory. (object)
6. Many currencies are now freely ...... . (convert)
7. Airmen are supplied with ...... rubber dinghies to be used if they bail out over the sea. (inflate)
8. We spent a very ...... evening talking about old times. (enjoy)
9. In some countries many people live in a ...... state. (pity)
10. Only a limited number of types of fungi are ...... . (eat)
EXERCISE P.073-2 / THE ADJECTIVE
By adding -ful, -ous, -ed, -ent, or -ant derive adjectives from the nouns in brackets:
1. She waited without complaining; she was very...... . (patience)
2. That visit wasn’t ...... . (pleasure)
3. Mary is always ...... that she is right. (confidence)
4. His behaviour was always...... . (courtesy)
5. Tommy was particularly ...... . (mischief)
6. I like the privacy of a ...... garden. (fence)
7. It was a ...... occasion. (moment)
8. The ...... glass windows were very attractive. (colour)
EXERCISE P.074-1 / THE ADJECTIVE
Abortive, acquisitive, deceptive, defective, discursive, evasive, excessive, lucrative, formative,
indicative, intensive, persuasive, plaintive, repulsive, submissive, successive
Replace the group of words underlined by one of the adjectives mentioned above. Make any
other necessary changes:
1. Efforts to put the scheme into practice proved such that they ended in failure.
2. Present-day English society is often labelled ‘wanting to gain things for itself’.
3. Would you prefer to be thought obedient or merely humble and meekly unassertive?
4. The child had come under bad influence during the years of his life that were decisive in shaping his
character.
5. Appearances can often be liable to mislead.
6. The machine that didn’t work properly had to be returned.
7. The factory’s profits have increased five per cent in each of the last three years.
8. The police charged the man with using a language that was meant to be insulting.
9. Picasso exerted an influence that had a widespread effect on the art of this century.
10. We had almost given up hope of finding our cat when we heard a mournful and sorrowful miaow
from a near-by tree.
EXERCISE P.074-2 / THE ADJECTIVE
Replace the words underlined by a single adjective ending in -ive making any necessary changes
in word order:
1. One side of a postage is covered with a sticky substance.
2. Children are very apt to ask questions and often have memories more able to remember facts than
adults.
3. A man who is apt to be moved by sudden impulses acts first.
4. A passage of writing whose purpose is to describe can be very difficult to summarize.
5. A great deal of damage was caused by the fire.
6. Some countries have a soil producing crops of a very high yield.
7. In a debate it is good to have one speaker whose arguments are intentionally irritating, designed to
produce a strong reaction.
8. They say that wealth is not always likely to lead to happiness.
9. Parliament recognized the formidable difficulties involved in making the law apply to the past.
EXERCISE P.075-1 / THE ADJECTIVE
boisterous, capricious, extraneous, fallacious, homogeneous, ingenious, ludicrous, malicious,
miscellaneous, momentous, obnoxious, precocious, presumptuous, specious, strenuous,
supercilious
Replace the words underlined by one of the adjectives mentioned above, making any necessary
changes in word order:
1. Most teachers prefer a class that is fairly consistent in having pupils of the same level.
2. The hotel porter gave me a contemptuous and haughty stare as I approached the entrance with a
rucksack.
3. Mountain-climbing can often be dangerous in winter because of the unpredictable and everchanging weather.
4. Nobody could agree with the speaker because all his arguments and ideas sprang from assumptions
that were based on error.
5. Fifty years ago the idea of flying to the Moon appeared absurd and ridiculous.
6. Children who develop faculties at an unusually early age do not always fulfil their promise later in
life.
7. In a speech of great importance the Prime Minister announced that Britain would join a politically
united Europe.
8. The man’s fellow workers felt he had been taking an unwarranted liberty in putting himself
forward as their spokesman.
9. When questioned by the master, the boy, with an open and innocent expression on his face,
pretended to know nothing.
10. At certain ages, many children are very difficult to please or very particular about the food they eat
and clothes they wear.
EXERCISE P.075-2 / THE ADJECTIVE
Complete the following sentences with the appropriate adjective made by adding -ful to the noun
or verb, as shown in the example:
Thank you for your help / You are very helpful
1. I had little success when I started studying English. I was not ......
2. The child told the truth when he said that. He was...... .
3. I doubt if you’ll get your parents approval. I am very ...... .
4. I use my pen every day. It is a very ...... object.
5. You’re always forgetting your duties. You are a very ...... person.
6. I hope to get a raise this month. I am very ..... .
7. He always cheers me up. He’s such a ..... person.
8. You look as though you need a rest. I suggest a ...... vacation.
9. Did you have a lot of pain? Yes, it was a ...... injury.
EXERCISE P.075-2 / THE ADJECTIVE
Complete the following sentences with the appropriate adjective made by adding -ful to the noun
or verb, as shown in the example:
Thank you for your help / You are very helpful
1. I had little success when I started studying English. I was not ......
2. The child told the truth when he said that. He was...... .
3. I doubt if you’ll get your parents approval. I am very ...... .
4. I use my pen every day. It is a very ...... object.
5. You’re always forgetting your duties. You are a very ...... person.
6. I hope to get a raise this month. I am very ..... .
7. He always cheers me up. He’s such a ..... person.
8. You look as though you need a rest. I suggest a ...... vacation.
9. Did you have a lot of pain? Yes, it was a ...... injury.
EXERCISE P.076-1 / THE ADJECTIVE
Reshape the following sentences, using adjectives derived from nouns by adding the suffix -less,
according to the model:
Peter has no tact at all /
Peter is absolutely tactless
1. The soup has no taste.
2. My neighbours have no children.
3. The poor man has no home.
4. It has no odour.
5. Jack has no friends.
6. They have no father.
7. It has no limits.
8. He has no job.
9. The performance had no flaws.
10. His words had no meaning.
11. Mary’s new dress has no sleeves.
12. The operation was without pain.
13. There was no sun in the sky.
14. They couldn’t sleep all night.
EXERCISE P.076-2 / THE ADJECTIVE
Complete the following sentences with the appropriate adjectives by adding the suffix -ed to the
nouns underlined, as in the following example:
There were crowds of people in the street /
The street was crowded.
1. Give me all the details. Please give me a ...... description of your trip.
2. The church windows were a variety of colours. The ...... windows were very attractive.
3. Her skirt had stripes printed on. She was wearing a ...... blouse to match.
4. This blouse has short sleeves. I prefer a long-...... one, please.
5. I need paper with lines on it. Could you get me some ...... paper, please?
6. I’m going to put up a fence. I like ...... gardens.
7. I prefer buying vegetables that are protected by a package. Do you have any ...... potatoes.
8. She used herbs and spices in her cooking. Her ...... apples are delicious.
9. She was in a tremendous hurry to catch the train. We had a ...... conversation before she left the
house.
10. Some people coat things in bread crumbs before frying them. ...... veal is very popular.
EXERCISE P.077 / THE ADJECTIVE
mistrustful, overwhelming, inaccessible, dishonest, overconfident,
unprintable
Complete each of these sentences with an adjective from the list above:
unruly,
underdone,
1. The meat is ......; I cannot eat it as it is. You should cook it longer.
2. If you get the highest mark, you’ll have had an ...... success.
3. A crowd may be described as ...... when it pays no attention to law and order.
4. There are places in Matto grosso that are still ...... .
5. If something is too rude or indecent to be printed it is....
6. You shouldn’t have taken it for granted, you have been ...... .
7. He is that ...... , he never takes anything for granted.
8. A person who cheats, lies or misleads is a ...... person.
EXERCISE P.078 / THE ADJECTIVE
Complete the sentences with negative adjectives derived from the verbs in brackets by using the
suffixes -able, -ible or -uble and the negative prefixes in- or un1. He will not change his mind. His decision is ...... (revoke)
2. I have never met such a man. His energy seems ...... . (exhaust)
3. Mozart’s style has been found to be ...... . (imitate)
4. Many fabrics are specially treated so as to be ...... . (shrink)
5. Men die, but their words are ...... . (destroy)
6. The constructors had to blast away tons of ...... rocks. (penetrate)
7. Day changes to night by almost ..... stages. (perceive)
8. Most people would agree that the greatest poets are ...... . (translate)
9. He returned to his university after twenty years’ absence to find that ...... changes had taken place.
(number)
10. The English now regard free education as an ...... right. (alienate)
EXERCISE P.079-1 / THE ADJECTIVE
brick-built, good-looking, light-footed, quick-fingered, wrongly-addressed, carefully-worded,
home-made, heart-breaking, well-known, back-breaking , fair-haired, badly-behaved, tonguetied
Complete the sentences with adjectives from the list above:
1. A .....person is someone who cannot speak easily.
2. A pupil who behaves badly is said to be ...... .
3. A ...... girl is one who has fair hair.
4. A ...... job is one that merely breaks your back.
5. A ..... writer is known by very many people.
6. We call this a ...... house because it is built of bricks.
7. Jane is ...... because her clothes fit well and look nice.
8. A burglar has to be ..... as well as ...... .
9. A ...... letter is one that has been written with care.
10. ...... letters cannot be delivered at the right house.
11. ...... cakes are cakes that have been made at home.
12. You feel very sad when you hear ...... news.
TRANSLATION P.082 / THE ADJECTIVE
Translate using the following words: poor, late ,sick, faint, early, heavy, fine, clear.
1. Unchiul meu care a murit mi-a lãsat o grãmadã de bani mostenire.
2. E foarte ciudat ca el sã întîrzie.
3. A desenat o linie abia vizibilã.
4. E alb ca varul, în curând va lesina.
5. Bagajul tãu e foarte greu. Ce ai în el bolovani?
6. Ea întotdeauna a fost o fumãtoare înrãitã.
7. Mã simt bine azi comparativ cu zilele trecute când m-am simtit foarte rãu.
8. El este un om bolnav.
9. Unde ai gãsit mãtasea aceasta finã din care ti-ai fãcut bluza?
10. La începutul anilor 70 un scriitor englez a descoperit o nouã tehnicã narativã, dar nu a fost
apreciat; acum unii considerã cã s-a nãscut mult prea devreme pentru putea fi apreciat.
11. Ea este o biatã mamã care îsi asteaptã baiatul de la rãzboi.
12. Asa de sãraci nu am fost niciodatã.
13. Ea are asa un somn usor încît aude orice când doarme.
14. Un hot priceput nu dã niciodatã gres.
15. Excursia este un esec total, pânã si apa din râu este tulbure.
EXERCISE P.087 / THE ADJECTIVE
Fill in the blanks with one of the following prepositions: of, in, for, to with, at, on
1. I am interested ...... learning another language.
2. Please don’t get mad ...... me. I was only trying to help.
3. He is capable ...... being an excellent student.
4. I am accustomed ...... watching television every evening.
5. This floor plan is similar ...... the one in the other house.
6. I am tired ...... watching television. Let’s go out.
7. I hope you are not angry ..... me ..... being late.
8. John is still dependent ...... his parents.
9. Dick seems to be quite satisfied ...... his new job.
10. This material is inferior ...... the kind we had last year.
11. He wouldn’t go in, because he was afraid ......the dog.
12. Mrs. Carrol is very fond ...... her children.
13. Jack became very excited ...... receiving a promotion.
14. Mary was pleased ...... her new dress.
15. I don’t see why Dick is so unkind ...... his brother.
16. Dave was quite agreeable ...... my suggestion.
17. Edward became conscious ...... his duty.
18. He was always attentive ...... my ideas.
19. Jerry is very generous ...... his money.
20. Jane was very eager ...... a glimpse of the new house.
21. I was impressed ...... the new health resorts at the seaside.
22. The work is deficient ...... style.
23. Was he found guilty ...... the accident.
24. He is blind ...... her mistakes.
25 I am anxious ...... learning my final marks.
EXERCISE P.087 / THE ADJECTIVE
Fill in the blanks with one of the following prepositions: of, in, for, to with, at, on
1. I am interested ...... learning another language.
2. Please don’t get mad ...... me. I was only trying to help.
3. He is capable ...... being an excellent student.
4. I am accustomed ...... watching television every evening.
5. This floor plan is similar ...... the one in the other house.
6. I am tired ...... watching television. Let’s go out.
7. I hope you are not angry ..... me ..... being late.
8. John is still dependent ...... his parents.
9. Dick seems to be quite satisfied ...... his new job.
10. This material is inferior ...... the kind we had last year.
11. He wouldn’t go in, because he was afraid ......the dog.
12. Mrs. Carrol is very fond ...... her children.
13. Jack became very excited ...... receiving a promotion.
14. Mary was pleased ...... her new dress.
15. I don’t see why Dick is so unkind ...... his brother.
16. Dave was quite agreeable ...... my suggestion.
17. Edward became conscious ...... his duty.
18. He was always attentive ...... my ideas.
19. Jerry is very generous ...... his money.
20. Jane was very eager ...... a glimpse of the new house.
21. I was impressed ...... the new health resorts at the seaside.
22. The work is deficient ...... style.
23. Was he found guilty ...... the accident.
24. He is blind ...... her mistakes.
25 I am anxious ...... learning my final marks.
EXERCISE
P.091
/
Put the adjectives in brackets in the correct order:
THE
1. Do you have ...... car? (a, racing, new)
2. The museum has ...... mirrors. (beautiful, very, some, Venetian, old)
ADJECTIVE
3. ....... blouse isn’t in the wardrobe. (green, nice, silken, her)
4. ...... names are Richard Christian. (first, son’s, his, two)
5. She is ...... doctor. (woman, English, young, a, pleasant)
6. I hate ...... ladies. (three, ugly, those, old, boring)
7. ...... books are on sale this week. (or, new, geography, old, and, good, bad)
8. ...... classes ended at 8 o’clock. (teacher’s, the, interesting, afternoon)
9. ...... blouses are for you. (up-to-date, silk, three, these)
10. Mr. Brown is wearing ...... suit. (long, a, becoming, very, grey)
11. Peter has already read ...... books. (English, several, easy, very)
12. ...... acts were presented in a Romanian film. (Michael, courageous, brave, the, Brave’s, and)
13. I’d like to have ...... teacher as you. ( good, so, intelligent, and, a)
14. ...... laugh was heard. (musical, a, malicious, but)
15. This museum has ...... paintings. (Spanish, old, very, valuable, many)
16. I bought a pair of ... shoes (leather expensive Italian handmade)
17. I’m looking for...clock radio (white, a, Taiwanese, cheap, for my bedside table)
18.The car he drives is ...sports car (well-maintained, second-hand,a, with a low mileage)
19. I have in my dining room ... dining-table ( well polished, beautiful, the, antique, mahogany,
English) I bought from John.
20. I lost ...trainers ( canvas, American, a pair of, grey and red, which I used for jogging)
21. We live in a ... cottage (stone-built, small, old, country)
22. I’m going to buy a ...dress (cotton, summer, pink and white, for my holiday)
EXERCISE P.092 / THE ADJECTIVE
Which word or phrase in B best explains the statements in A?
A
1. The concerned doctor phoned for an ambulance.__
2. The doctor concerned is on holiday at the moment.__
3. It was a very involved question.__
4. The person involved has left the company.__
5. Present employees number 3000.__
6. The employees present should vote.__
7. It was a proper question.__
8. The question proper has not been answered.__
9. Jane is a responsible girl.__
10. The girl responsible has been expelled.__
11. This elect body meets once a year.__
12. The president elect takes over in May.__
B
correct, worried, who was to blame, complicated, specially chosen, with a sense of duty, now
employed, who has been elected, here now, connected with this, itself
TRANSLATION P.095 / THE ADJECTIVE
Translate into English using adjective words:
1. M-a felicitat cu o solemnitate batjocoritoare.
2. În excursia fãcutã în Franta, ghidul de atunci s-a achitat foarte bine de datorie.
3. Tom, un viitor aviator, ia lectii de parasutism.
4. Tineti seama de remarca de mai sus.
5. Locuinta unde ne-am mutat are o curte interioarã.
6. Copilul a cãzut si s-a lovit la buza superioarã.
7. “-Vii o datã?” “- Da, vin chiar în acest moment.”
8. Acesta este un tren direct?
9. La lectia de istorie ni s-a vorbit despre provincii care au existat.
EXERCISE P.099 / THE ADJECTIVE
Complete the sentences below using the adjectives in brackets as nouns or as adjectives followed
by person, people, man, woman
1. The ... are considered cold people. (Swedish)
3. The ...... make you feel pity for them. (helpless)
4. The ... spoke only his language. (French)
5. The ...... made a lot of scandal. (drunken)
6. Do the ...... help the ...... . (young, old)
7. A ...... has weight but not always strength. (fat)
8. The ......don’t always get their reward. (good)
9. The last will of the ...... was made public. (deceased)
10. Most...... can do manual work. (blind)
11. The rain rains on the ...... and the ..... alike. (poor, rich)
12. Will anyone defend the...(accused).
13. The ... had a ticket for a bull-fight. (Spanish)
14. The ... like bull-fights. (Spanish)
EXERCISE P.100 / THE ADJECTIVE
Use the present tense of the verbs in brackets.
1. The sick (to be well taken care of) in our hospitals.
2. The rich (to be) often selfish.
3. The blind (need) gentle treatment.
4. He is far from being perfect, but the good in him (to outweigh) the bad.
5. The young (to be) often intolerant of the old.
6. The new and progressive (to triumph) over the old and obsolete.
7. The deaf and dumb (to attend) special schools.
8. The unusual (to fascinate) him.
9. The supernatural (to appear) in many of Shakespear’s plays.
10. The French (to like) living in towns, whereas the English (to seem) to prefer the country.
11. The Swiss (to prefer) their neutrality.
12. He (to speak) excellent English.
13. The Frenchman (to await) the train.
14. The young student finds the course difficult, the older(do) not.
15. The rich man is sad, the poor (to be) happy.
TRANSLATION P.100 / THE ADJECTIVE
Translate into English.
1. Olandezul nu a vrut sa ia cina cu noi.
2. Francezii sunt vecini cu nemtii.
3. Bolnavul simtind ca moare ceru sa vinã un preot.
4. Cei bolnavi de cancer suferã cumplit si nu se pot bucura de viata.
5. Grecii s-au dus in America la un curs de varã.
6. Intre tineri si bãtrâni existã de multe ori probleme de comunicare.
7. Necunoscutul a atras întotdeauna exploratori.
8. Sublimul este de multe ori doar la un pas de ridicol.
9. Criminalul a fost eliberat dupa ce a plãtit cautiunea.
10. Negrii si-au urmat conducatorii în rãzboiul de secesiune.
11. Chinezi care viziteaza Olanda stau la hotelul de peste drum
12. Regele si-a întâmpinat nobilii.
13. Iubirea e un sentiment nobil.
14. Shakespeare este un classic al literaturii engleze.
15. Pentru a ne conving el a recurs la un exemplu clasic.
16. Frumosul din naturã este deseori subiectul poeziilor.
17. Sãracii din satul nostru asteaptã ajutor de la cei foarte bogati.
18. Tinerii s-au dus la dans, cei batrâni au ramas acasã .
EXERCISE P.102 / THE ADJECTIVE
Choose the correct word (adjective or adverb) according to the meaning:
1. That was a ...... mountain. (high, highly)
2. Treat him ...... . (fair, fairly)
3. Birds can fly ...... in the sky. (high, highly)
4. Still waters run ..... . (deep, deeply)
5, He was ...... shocked. (deep, deeply)
6. She swam ...... in the lake. (deep, deeply)
7. The book cost ...... . (dear, dearly)
8. He loves his son ...... . (dear, dearly)
9. He acted ...... . (cool, coolly)
10. This is a ...... task. (hard, hardly)
11. He works ...... for the exams. (hard, hardly)
12. He has ...... worked this week. (hard, hardly)
13. He was ...... to me. (kind, kindly)
14. Boxers are not allowed to hit ...... . (low, lowly)
15. His position is ...... . (low, lowly)
16. That was a ...... good attempt. (pretty, prettily)
17. I’ll sell you the car ...... . (cheap, cheaply)
18. Send this letter ...... . (express, expressly)
19. You played me ......; you shall pay for it. (false, falsely)
20. I did not; you accused me ...... . (false. falsely)
21. I got off first in the race but managed to come... (last/lastly)
22. And, ... I’d like to thank all those who helped me. (last/lastly)
23. We’ve been receiving a lot of junk mail...(late/lately)
24. I don’t think you’ve been treated very...(just/justly)
25. I ... fell off the edge of the platform! (near/nearly)
TRANSLATION P.103-1 / THE ADJECTIVE
Translate into English using certain, sure, likely, difficult, hard as in the examples above:
1. Este sigur la bibliotecã.
2. Probabil cã nu vine curând.
3. Aceste povestiri sunt greu de tradus.
4. Sunt cu sigurantã în oras.
5. Este greu sã-l multumesti cu ceva.
TRANSLATION P.103-2 / THE ADJECTIVE
Translate into English.
1. El este un elev destept.
2. Când i-am transmis vestea a pãlit, apoi a devenit furios.
3. Înainte de a cumpãra materialul, a întrebat de pret si l-a pipãit cu atentie.
4. “- Cum te simti?” “- Mã simt bine, multumesc”
5. “- Îti place supa?” “Da, are gust bun.”
6. Andrei aratã bine acum.
7. Dupã ce a auzit zgomotul acela ciudat, se uitã precaut în jur, dar locul îi pãru linistit din nou.
8. Florile pe care mi le-ai adus sunt minunate si au un miros plãcut.
9. Materialul pe care vreau sã-l cumpãr este moale si de calitate.
10. Câinii miros cu atentie tot ce le dai de mâncare.
EXERCISE P.104 / THE ADJECTIVE
Rewrite the sentences using -ed/-ing endings. Make necessary changes.
1. The coincidence amazed us. We...
2. The journey tired us. The journey...
3. The experience upset Sylvia. Sylvia...
4. The experience upset us. The experience...
5. Gloria enchanted me. Gloria...
6. I enchanted Gloria. Gloria...
7. The children delighted us. The children...
8. The children delighted us. We...
9. The new building impresses us. The new building...
10. The new building impresses everybody. Everybody...
EXERCISE P.107 / THE ADJECTIVE
Go through the following exercise twice, inserting the appropriate form of the two adjectives in
brackets
1. She is the ...... girl I have ever met. You don’t often meet such a ... girl. She’s ...... than other girls
I’ve known. (pretty, beautiful)
2. The house was ...... than usual with everyone away. ...... of all was the empty playroom. He didn’t
like the ..... house. (quiet, peaceful)
3. He knew the situation was ...... , but it seemed even ...... when he saw his father’s face. (grave,
serious)
4. It is very ...... for the class. This lesson is ...... than anything we had before. It’s the ...... I have
seen yet. (hard, difficult)
5. What’s the .... route to Milltown? Well, the road through Duxberry is pretty ...., but the Smalltown
road is ...(straight, direct)
6. It was a ...... performance. I’ve only seen one performance in my life that was ...... than this. That
was Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet; it was the ...... I’ve ever seen. (great, wonderful)
7. That was a ...... thing to do. I’ve never seen a ...... action. The ...... soldier in the world couldn’t
have done more. (brave, courageous)
8. They have been very ...... since Mrs. Kenyon fell ill. Mr. Kenyon looks....every day, and the little
boy is the.. of all, (sad, unhappy)
9. He is unusually ... for his age. Most people grow ... as they grow older, but he is already the ......
person I know. (wise, thoughtful)
EXERCISE P.108 / THE ADJECTIVE
Use the positive, comparative and superlative degrees of the adjectives in brackets to fill in the
blank spaces:
1. Peter is a ...... boy. His elder brother, who is a basketball player, is ...., but, sure enough, his younger
brother is the ...... of them. (tall)
2. The Carpathians are ...... . The Alps are ......, yet the Himalayas are the ..... mountains in the world.
(high)
3. Autumn days are ...... , rainy autumn days are ......, but we have the ...... weather of all on clear,
windy days in winter. (cold)
4. A duck’s egg is ...... compared to that of an ostrich; a hen’s egg is even ...... , but a robin’s egg is the
...... of them all. (small)
5. Jane was very ...... , but she was not the ...... in her class. Anne was ...... . (young)
6. Your street is ......, but that alley is ...... and the path leading to your house is the ...... of them all.
(narrow)
7. The armchair in my room is ......, the desk is ......, but the bookcase is the ...... of them. (heavy)
8. John is a ......, but his younger brother is ...... than he is. (handsome)
9. He is insincere. In fact he is the ...... person I have ever met. (insincere)
10. His position is a ...... one. It is ...... than I thought. (humble)
EXERCISE P.109 / THE ADJECTIVE
Use the comparative of superiority of the adjectives in brackets to compete the sentences below:
1. Mary is ...... than Joan. (thin)
2. Nick is ...... than Adam. (tall)
3. Today we have ...... weather than yesterday. (fine)
4. Who is ...... than the gypsies? (free)
5. She began practising gymnastics because she got a little .. . (fat)
6. Is he ...... than they say? (lazy)
7. You are ...... than I imagined. (shy)
8. Iron the cloth when it gets ...... . (dry)
9. Ann’s story is ...... than ours. (funny)
10. This is a ...... place than the one you showed us yesterday. (quiet)
EXERCISE P.110 / THE ADJECTIVE
Use the comparative of inferiority and the negative superlative (with less and the least) of the
adjectives underlined in the following sentences according to the model:
The book on statistics is not very understandable.
The one on typology is even less understandable and
the one on nuclear physics is the least understandable.
1. It is not honourable to lie. It is even ...... to try to bribe public officials and to betray one’s country is
...... of all.
2. Learning a new language is difficult. However once the sound system is mastered it is ...... to learn
the spelling, and learning new vocabulary is ...... of all.
3. Tropical fish is very troublesome to keep as pets. Goldfish are ...... and turtles are ...... of all.
4. The class thought the experiment was very interesting. They found the geography lecture somewhat
...... and the grammar lesson was ...... of all.
5. Diamonds are precious. Pearls are somewhat ...... and quarts is ..... of all.
6. That man’s novels are famous. His friend’s plays are well-known at home but are ..... abroad. And
that poet over there is ....... of all.
7. I think Tom’s suggestion is very practical. Joe’s is somewhat ...... and for this complicated scheme
it appears to be ...... of all the ideas submitted.
8. Most of the children in the class are considerate. Paul is ...... than he should be and Teddy is ...... of
all of them.
9. Most of the items on the budget are necessary. Perhaps item 13 is ...... than some of the others. If
we must cut anything, then item 13 is ...... of all and should be first to be sacrificed.
10. I’ve never met anybody that boring. I think he is the....(funny) person I know.
EXERCISE P.111 / THE ADJECTIVE
big - small, efficient - inefficient, exciting - unexciting, full - empty, good - bad, honourable dishonourable, important - unimportant, loud - soft, noisy - quiet, perfect - imperfect,
precise - imprecise, predictable - unpredictable, promising - unpromising, quick - slow,
surprising -unsurprising, tall - short, wide - narrow
In the sentences that follow, use the least if the adjective allows this expression in front of it. If
not, look in the list above and find an adjective with opposite meaning and use that one in the
superlative:
1. My glass is ...... . (full)
2. His analysis is ...... . (precise)
3. The hospital street is the ......downtown. (noisy)
4. This is the ...... class in the school. (big)
5. That’s the ...... way of doing it. (efficient)
6. She was the ...... person in the firm. (important)
7. Since neither team is very good it will probably be the ..... game. (exciting)
8. That house is not very wide. In fact it is the ...... house in town. (wide)
9. I feel ashamed of you. You are the ...... person I know. (honourable)
10. The story was very obvious. It was the ....story I’ve ever read.(surprising)
11. She is very unrealistic. She is the ..... person I’ve ever met. (practical)
12. It was the ...... class we have had in this school. (promising)
13. He’s a nice man, but he had the ...... mind I’ve ever encountered. (quick)
14. The tallest boy is 5 ft. 11 in.. The ...... is 5 ft. 3 in. (tall)
15. You could never tell what he would do next. His actions were the ...... of all. (predictable)
16. Of course not all specimens are perfect, but even the ...... is interesting to study. (perfect)
17. Even the ..... notes are clearly audible in the new auditorium. (loud)
EXERCISE P.112-1 / THE ADJECTIVE
The following sentences are incorrect as they stand. Reformulate the sentences so that they
express the same meaning but use the comparative of superiority of the antonym:
1. Your house is less near than I thought.
2. This exercise is less good than your last one.
3. We’re less bad than you think we are.
4. A tram is less quick than a bus.
5. This street is less wide than the next one.
6. The sea was less smooth than I hoped.
7. The river was less deep than he expected.
8. My friend is much less young than he looks.
9. It is less dangerous to tease a lion than scorn a woman.
10. After that heavy rain the grass is less brown than it was a week ago.
EXERCISE P.112-2 / THE ADJECTIVE
Fill in the blank spaces with less or fewer according to the type of noun that they modify:
1. Children drink ..... milk than tea.
2. Jane has ...... fine shoes than Mary.
3. There are ...... dogs than cats in our town.
4. She has always had ...... dresses than the other little girls.
5. Peter reads ...... poetry than prose.
6. There will be ...... rain this spring.
7. That factory employs ...... men than women.
8. There may be ...... work in the library before the exams.
9. ...... graduates will get better jobs this year.
10. There was ...... snow last winter.
EXERCISE P.113 / THE ADJECTIVE
much more, many more, a little more, a few more, much less, many fewer
Fill in the blank spaces using one of the intensified forms listed above:
1. You’ll need ...... bread than you have bought.
2. There are usually ...... blackbirds than in any other London park.
3. There seemed to be ...... students in the library than before.
4. We learned ...... grammar this year than last year.
5. The French eat ...... bread than the English.
6. There are ...... thrillers than are needed.
7. Rubens painted ...... pictures than some other artists,
8. We spent ...... days in London than in Manchester.
9. We generally eat ...... meat than fish.
10. It seems as though there are ...... cars than people in Paris.
11. The students read ...... poetry than prose.
12. There are ...... women-drivers than men-drivers.
TRANSLATION P.115 / THE ADJECTIVE
grossly, highly, greatly, deeply, much, extremely, terribly, tremendously
Translate the following sentences using the adverbs above to build absolute superlatives:
1. Având o industrie foarte dezvoltatã, Suedia îsi permite un sistem de asigurãri sociale foarte
eficiente.
2. Dupa câteva încercãri ezitate, a devenit un nuvelist foarte cunoscut.
3. Tom Carroll era un critic mult admirat pentru sensibilitatea lui si pentru puterea de sintezã.
4. Nu trebuia sã faca asta; era o gresealã mult exageratã.
5. Am fost foarte socat sã aflu cã în numai câteva minute toate visele lui s-au spulberat.
6. Am fost foarte surprins de atitudinea lui, mai ales ca îl stiam un om echilibrat si rãbdãtor.
7. Era foarte interesat de tot ce se spunea acolo despre ultimele descoperiri din Egipt.
8. Vã sunt foarte îndatorat pentru bunãvointa cu care m-ati tratat.
EXERCISE P.120 / THE ADJECTIVE
Insert in the blank spaces the appropriate form of the adjective(s) in brackets:
1. If a stranger is polite enough to talk to you in a railway carriage and nutty enough to fall over his
own bag and stun himself ...... one can do is to take him to hospital. I can’t think of ...... (little)
2. The patient is ...... today, but he is not ...... enough to get up, though this is ...... day since he was
admitted in hospital. (good, well)
3. You can’t get very ...... from the sea anywhere in England, but Stratfort is about ...... point you can
get from it. (far)
4. “Do children drink ...... milk?” “Yes, ......than adults do, though they also drink ...... nowadays than
they used to. In fact ...... and ...... drink ...... and ..... milk. (much, many)
5. There are no tickets left for the theatre and as the ...... museum, which is ...... to the theatre will be
closed until ...... notice, the ...... best thing is the Zoo. (near, far)
6. Tom is very ...... company. I don’t know anyone ...... . He was at his ...... yesterday and kept us all
amused. (good)
7 Journeys into the ...... space are now a reality. The are of the ...... importance for the ......
development of science. (out, far)
8. The crops are ...... this year, much ...... than ...... year. (late)
9. Mr. George Brown is very ......, but his ...... brother Michael is ten years ...... than he is . He is the
...... man in our town. (old)
10. Leave him alone! Can’t you see that he is wrong in the ...... story. (up)
11. The only real happiness comes from ...... peace. (in)
12. The ...... Arabic country is Syria. (east)
EXERCISE P.121 / THE ADJECTIVE
Choose the correct form of the adjective in brackets:
1. Shakespeare’s ...... play is The Tempest. (last, latest)
2. They live ...... door. (nearest, next)
3. Have you seen him at the...... end of the garden. (farther, further)
4. Who is the ...... in the team? (oldest, eldest)
5. Can you tell me the way to the ...... post-office. (nearest, next)
6. Take a seat in the chair ...... to the fire. (nearest, next)
7. I’ve read the two poems and copied the ...... . (later, latter)
8. They needed no ...... advice on our part. (farther, further)
9. If you are late the ...... time, you shall have a whipping. (nearest, next)
10. At present my friend Bob has ...... money than I have. (less, fewer)
11. She offered me grapefruit and apples; I chose the ...... . (last, later, latter)
12. Which house is ...... of all? (further, farther, farthest)
13. ...... she admitted she must pay back the money. (farther, further)
14. This is an ...... copy of the book. (older, elder, oldest)
15. Who is the ...... author among those who have got the literary prizes this year. (farmost, first)
TRANSLATION P.122 / THE ADJECTIVE
Translate the following sentences into English using intensifiers:
1. Asteptând atât de mult, el deveni din ce în ce mai nerãbdãtor.
2. Studentii au ascultat cursul profesorului invitat cu un interes din ce în ce mai mare.
3. La auzul vestilor rele, deveni din ce în ce mai palid.
4. Acesta este cel mai bun mijloc posibil de a-l face sã-si revizuiascã atitudinea.
5. E de pãrere cã aceasta e absolut cea mai bunã teorie care ilustreazã fenomenul studiat.
6. Noua ta pãlãrie e cu mult mai frumoasã decât cea veche.
7. Cu trecerea anilor James Smith deveni din ce în ce mai interesat în gramatica comparatã.
8. Îti aduc cele mai bune vesti pe care ti le poti imagina.
9. Cu cât copiii sunt mai ascultãtori, cu atât pãrintii sunt mai multumiti.
10. El este cu mult mai agreabil decât mi l-ai descris.
11. Cartea despre Triunghiul Bermudelor este cea mai interesantã carte de acest fel pe care am citit-o
vreodatã.
12. Cu cât este mai greu de rezolvat un exercitiu, cu atât suntem mai satisfãcuti cînd îl rezolvãm.
13. Cartea sa recent publicatã se bucurã de un succes din ce în ce mai mare.
14. Cu cât învãtãm mai mult, cu atât stim mai mult despre nestiinta noastrã.
15. N-am stat pânã când s-a terminat filmul pentru cã a devenit din ce în ce mai putin interesant.
REVISION P.123 / THE ADJECTIVE
Choose the word or phrase which best completes each sentence:
Explain the meaning.
1. He was a natural singer with a voice as clear as ...(a waterfall, a mirror, a bell).
2. After a good night’s sleep he woke up feeling as fresh as ...(fruit, a daisy, a maiden).
3. He might look kind and sympathetic, but deep down he’s as hard as ...(nails, a mountain, an
iceberg, a gangster).
4. What on earth have you got in that suitcase? It’s as heavy as ...(an elephant, lead, a corpse).
5. Pauline can’t be out of town. I saw her last night at Simon’s party, as ...as life. (true, real, large,
good).
6. I’m not drunk. I’m as sober as ...(a priest, Sunday, a judge, a Muslim).
7. As students David and Kevin were as thick as ...(thieves, boy scouts, a team).
8. Buying shares in this company is as safe as ...(a bank, houses, gold bars, a vault). There’s no way
you can lose.
9. The dress fits like...since I lost weight.( a mould, a glove, glue, a pillowcase).
10. James never remembers anything. He’s got a memory like a ...(a mouse, a sieve, a bucket).
11. If your father finds out that you’ve been skipping school, he’ll be down on you like a ... of bricks.
(load, pile, ton).
12. From the moment they first met, they got on like...(two peas in a pod, fish and chips, a house on
fire, clockwork)
13. I’ll never eat and drink as much. I was as sick as a ...(dog, horse, pig poodle).
14. Shout, please. He is as deaf as... (a leaf, a post, a politician)
15.I can’t believe you’re laughing. That joke is as old as ..(Solomon, the hills, a dinosaur, Jupiter).
16. The children have been as good as ..(religion, gold, God, brass) all afternoon.
17. Kathy was as pleased as ...(punch, a poppy, a sunflower, pound notes) when she heard she had
passed the exam.
18. I hope the computer course starts this semester. We are all as keen as ...(coffee, mustard, a gigolo,
cornflakes
REVISION P.124 / THE ADJECTIVE
Fill in the missing adjectives:
bated, broad, confirmed, dark, fair, flat, foregone, golden, hot, naked, pet, practical, rough,
sharp, sore, square, tall, unwritten, weak, wishful.
1. She had a very ...tongue and could be really sarcastic when she was angry.
2. The result of the vote was a/an...conclusion. Everyone knew who was going to win.
3. There is an ...law among thieves : You never should steal from a fellow-thief.
4. Although a very nice person she had problems in communicating. One can say that this was her
...point.
5. Do you have binoculars? I can’t seem to see the writing on the top of that building with the...eye.
6. Watch out for him in that competition. You might not know it but he’s a bit of...horse.
7. We decided to play a ...joke on our teacher. After all it was the 1st of April.
8. Don’t ask Karen about her promotion. It’s a ...point with her since her boss has been putting it off.
9. I though it had been more than a ...deal, but my husband insisted we’d been cheated.
10. He’ll never get married. He’s a ...bachelor.
11. Don’t believe a word he says. It’s another one of his...stories.
12. Does the company have a ...line?
13. I don’t really want to go to the sea. I was just ...thinking.
14. The competitors waited with...breath for the results.
15. The murder was committed in ...daylight.
16. There were many people present; at a ...guess I’d say about 300.
17. One of his...hates was people leaning against him in the bus.
18. We didn’t get far on our trip because we got a ...tyre.
19. This scholarship was a ...opportunity for her. it pushed her forward in her career.
20. It was the first...meal the tramp had had in days.
REVISION P.125-1 / THE ADJECTIVE
Select the colour: yellow, pink, white, blue, green, grey,
1. You can argue with her until you’re ...in the face, but you won’t be able to change her mind.
2. After several days of discussion they finally were given the...light to go on with the project.
3. Although we got a lot of nice presents, we also got some ...elephants.
4. There is a common prejudice that girls who are very beautiful are lacking...matter.
5. He was really ...to leave her there without defending her.
6. I was ...with envy when I saw his new Jaguar.
7. Sometimes it is better to tell a ...lie than to hurt someone’s feelings.
8. She was tickled ...when he complemented her on her dress.
REVISION P.125-2 / THE ADJECTIVE
Confusing words:
1. His behaviour at the party was (contemptuous/contemptible)
2. This must be the (definite/definitive) reference work on Roman history.
3. We may have won all our matches this season, but we mustn’t allow ourselves to become
(complaisant/complacent).
4. I’ve always wanted to drive a big (luxurious/luxuriant) car.
5. The situation in China at the moment is tense and (volatile/voluble).
6. It is most (regretful/regrettable) that he has decided to resign.
7. The police have (conclusive/decisive) proof that he robbed the bank.
8. My father is a great believer in (alternate/alternative) medicine-especially homeopathy.
9. She has dyed her hair a (distinct/distinctive) shade of blue.
10. Do you enjoy (urbane/urban) life, or would you prefer living in the country.
11. He was a man of (sanguine/sanguinary) temperament.
12. My brother is (credible/credulous) enough to believe everything you tell him.
13. The Government are very worried about the (elicit/illicit) sales of champagne.
14. I’m afraid the project is far too expensive to be (practical/practicable).
15. There was an (appreciative/appreciable) drop in temperature .
16. Tasmania lies in a (temperate/temporal) areas of the world.
17. Are these mushrooms (eatable/edible) or are they poisonous.
18. The majority of tinned food is (deficient/defective) in vitamins.
19. Only 25 per cent of people voted in the local election; the rest were completely
(uninterested/disinterested).
20. Legal abortion is a cry (emotional/emotive) issue in America.
21. The difference of performance between the two computers is (negligent/negligible).
22. The customs officer was very (official/officious) and made us open up all our bags.
23. There are very (severe/strict) laws in Sweden with regard to drinking and driving.
24. The firm made (judicial/judicious) use of the Government grant.
25. Her performance was (masterful/masterly).
26. My brother is studying to be an (electrical/electric) engineer.
27. I do wish you’d grow up. You’re so (childish/childlike) at times.
28. A (classical/classic) example of actors filming love scenes actually falling in love was R. Burton
and Liz Taylor.
29. I can’t read your handwriting. It’s quite (eligible/illegible).
30. The question of equality between the sexes is very (actual/topical) nowadays.
REVISION P.126 / THE ADJECTIVE
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the adjectives in brackets:
1. It is... for John to play tennis than for his ...brother. (difficult, old)
2. Sibiu has ...... streets than Cluj-Napoca. (narrow)
3. Your attitude turned into the...... outburst. (inexcusable)
4. The music is ....than I thought and the wine is also a bit .... . (mad, strong)
5. Are the winds of Siberia ...... than in Alaska. (icy)
6. Who is the ...... pupil at school? (hard-working)
7. I don’t think these cakes are any ...... than yours. (good)
8. This silk is ...... than that I bought a month ago. (soft)
9. Try to be a little ...... please. (calm)
10. The ...... the weather, the ...... the grass. (warm, yellow)
11. Amelia is the ...... of these nice girls. (slim)
12. Then the storm became ever ...... . (violent)
13. Bobby is the ...... boy in his form.(clever)
14. Hyde Park is ...... in winter than in autumn. (quiet)
15. Ann is ...... than Mary. (enthusiastic)
16. This is the ...... view of all. (enchanting)
17. Please be ...... otherwise you’ll make the baby cry. (gentle)
18. This copy of the picture is ...... than the other ones. (exact)
19. You own the ...... stamp collection I’ve ever seen. (complete)
20. Your country house is the ...... in the region. (attractive)
21. Her story was ...... than Roger’s. (breathtaking)
22. I’ve never met a ....... man than Benedict. (eccentric)
23. They are ...... of him than he is of them. (afraid)
24. Peter’s story was the ...... of all. (exciting)
25. She gave a ...... description of the events than I expected. (lively)
REVISION P.127 / THE ADJECTIVE
Translate into English:
1. Sunt îngrijoratã; nici dupã injectii nu se simte mai bine.
2. La concert a vrut sã stea în rândul cel mai din urmã.
3. Camera era plãcutã si caldã.
4. Ceea ce a spus el e nul si neavenit.
5. Acesta este cel mai îndepãrtat colt din Alaska.
6. Este un om lipsit de prejudecãti.
7. Cel mai ascuns gând al sãu este sã facã cercetãri arheologice care sã aducã noi mãrturii despre
civilizatiile antice.
8. Era generozitatea întruchipatã.
9. Era o varã caldã si plãcutã; în parcul cel mare si verde bãiatul doctoritei si fetitele ei se jucau cu o
minge mare, rosie si albã.
10. Dupã cearta penibilã dintre ei, erau atât de supãrati încât n-au mai schimbat absolut nici un cunvânt
de atunci.
11. Îmi pare rãu dar aceastã lucrare nu e câtusi de putin mai bunã ca precedenta.
12. Am luat ultimul dintre medicamentele prescrise si mã întreb ce efect vor avea asupra mea.
13.Primul poem nu este atât de frumos ca al doilea si nici atât de lung.
14. Din pãcate sora ei nu este o persoanã chiar atât de plãcutã cum ar pãrea la prima vedere.
15. În camara plinã de fum bãiatul cu fata albã mi-a explicat ce greseli am fãcut la exercitiile de
traducere.
16. Richard era foarte multumit sã-si facã dusmanul sã se simtã cât se poate de prost.
17. Ai gãsit usor magazinul de pantofi de la colt.
18. Un mare comic trebuie sã conducã usor spectatorii din imperiul mãretiei si sublimului în cel al
hazliului si ridicolului.
19. Sunt convins cã si un sãrac poate avea o viatã bogatã.
20. Situatia era mai ciudatã decât mi-am putut închipui vreodatã.
21. În împrejurãrile noi, mai amare decât cele precedente, el se simti mai nobil si mai fericit decât pâna
atunci.
22. Atât cei drepti cât si cei nedrepti au observat mai totdeauna diferentele mari între sãraci si bogati.
23. Nu am întâlnit o autoare mai bine cunoscutã ale cãrei opere sã fie mai rãspândite.
24. Cartea de chimie pe care am cumpãrat-o ieri e groasã ca o enciclopedie.
25. Multi orbi sunt la fel de utili societãtii ca cei care sunt complet sãnãtosi.
26. Unii danezi considerã cã Danemarca ar trebui sã fie provincie nemteascã.
27. El a stat doi ani într-o tarã arabã si acum vorbeste foarte bine araba.
28. Spaniola pe care o vorbesc lasã mult de dorit.
29. Poloneza este înruditã cu ceha, bulgara si rusa.
30. Irlandezii beau multa bere.
B. ON ADVERBS (Mihai Zdrenghea, Anca Greere, A Practical English Grammar (with exercises),
Cluj, Clusium, 1997)
TRANSLATION P.445 / THE ADVERB
1. Educatia lui a fost neglijatã în mod trist.
2. Sugestia lui a fost primitã cu cãldurã.
3. Munca lui este bine apreciatã de colegi.
4. În timpul rãzboiului orasul a fost sever bombardat.
5. Aceastã regulã trebuie înteleasã bine dacã vrem sã folosim timpurile corect.
6. Mâncarea a fost servitã frumos.
7. Toate documentele au fost temeinic întocmite.
8. Întreaga situatie a fost corect analizatã.
9. Dupã izbucnirea incendiului toate persoanele au fost evacuate rapid din clãdire.
10. Dupã ce s-a terminat lucrul toate obiectele au fost puse cu grijã înapoi la locul lor.
EXERCISE P.447 / THE ADVERB
Fill in the missing points of time
1. ........... today..............
2. ...................this morning.........................
3. ..................tonight...........................
4. ..................this January...................
5....................at noon......................
TRANSLATION P.447 / THE ADVERB
1. Sãptãmâna viitoare d-l Smith se duce cu trenul la Londra.
2. Copiii s-au jucat toatã dupã amiaza fericiti în grãdinã.
3. S-au întors la hotel cu prietenii lor la ora zece.
4. Le-am spus cu regret la revedere sãptãmâna trecutã la aeroport.
5. Acest scriitor trãieste linistit la Londra din 1967.
6. Uitã-te la Tommy! Stã de zece minute linistit pe scaun.
7. Toatã ziua a muncit din greu prin casã.
8. Ieri s-au dus la o plimbare lungã pe malul râului.
9. De când a devenit student studiazã mult la bibliotecã.
10. Ieri dupã amiazã, nepotii mei au nãvãlit gãlãgiosi în casã.
TRANSLATION P.449 / THE ADVERB
1. Ei încã locuiesc la Paris.
2. Sunt toti studentii aici? Nu Thomas n-a venit încã.
3. Ai terminat de citit cartea pe care ti-am împrumutat-o? Nu, o mai citesc încã.
4. Ei încã tot nu înteleg de ce trebuie sã facã asta.
5. Nu vine si Bob cu noi?. Nu, el încã mai lucreazã la proiect.
6. Când eu am plecat el încã discuta aprins cu prietenul lui.
7. Ai terminat lucrarea? Nu, încã n-am terminat-o si cred cã mai trebuie sã scriu cel putin douã-trei
ore.
8. Mary încã nu vorbeste englezeste asa bine ca Tom.
9. Unde e sotul tãu? Încã mai lucreazã în grãdinã desi i-am spus cã ai venit.
10. Ei încã n-au terminat de reparat masina desi lucreazã de dimineatã.
11. Mai plouã?
12. Mai avem încã zece minute pâna la plecarea trenului.
13. Si-au cumpãrat un nou apartament? Nu, încã locuiesc în ceva vechi.
14. Încã tot nu stiu despre cine vorbeste.
15. Nu s-au întors încã copiii din oras?
EXERCISE P.450 / THE ADVERB
Fit since, for and ago into the sentences:
1. When have you been interested in jazz?
2. I saw your mother a week.
3. I started work here seven months.
4. They lived here five years before moving.
5. I’ve been expecting a letter weeks.
6. I’ve enjoyed jazz I was a boy.
7. How long did you become a director?
8. I saw her last week and haven’t seen her.
9. I’ve been expecting a letter last week.
10. I’ve known him six years.
EXERCISE P.451-1 / THE ADVERB
Supply by or till.
1. I’ll wait ... before answering his letter.
2. I intend to stay in bed....10 o’clock tomorrow morning.
3. I’m sure I will have left....Monday.
4. Your dress won’t be ready....Friday. You can collect it then.
5. Your dress won’t be ready.....Friday. You can collect it next Monday.
EXERCISE P.451-2 / THE ADVERB
Supply in, during or for. Show which sentences take both ‘in’ and ‘for’.
1. It was very hot...the summer.
2. Many people gave up.....the courses.
3. I’ll see you ...the lunch hour.
4. Can you hold your breath ....two minutes?
5. I suddenly lost my voice...the speech.
6. It rained......the day.
TRANSLATION P.454-1 / THE ADVERB
1. Fiica mea îmi telefoneazã întotdeauna seara.
2. Eu merg deseori pe jos la lucru.
3. John se scoalã întotdeauna devreme.
4. Întotdeauna sunt liber dupã amiaza.
5. De obicei se duce devreme la culcare.
6. Eu îmi fac uneori cumpãrãturile sâmbãta.
7. Familia Smith se duce deseori la munte la sfârsit de sãptãmânã.
8. Întotdeauna beau cafea dimineata.
9. Rareori am citi o carte asa interesantã.
10. Întotdeauna cumpãrãm cele mai bune fructe si legume.
TRANSLATION P.454-2 / THE ADVERB
Translate using inversion:
1. N-am iesit bine pe usã si a si început sã plouã.
2. S-a ridicat de pe scaun, a deschis usa si dus a fost.
3. Sub nici o formã nu mã voi mai lãsa convis de tine.
4. N-ar îndrãzni niciodatã sã spunã asa o minciunã.
5. John intrã, Tom iesi.
EXERCISE P.455 / THE ADVERB
Re-word the following sentences using too and enough:
1. Mr. Thomson is so fat he can’t tie up his own shoes.
2. He said he was so thirsty he could drink a well dry.
3. I’m rather old. I can’t wear that kind of hat.
4. The river was deep they couldn’t wade across.
5. She is quite old and she ought to know better.
6. The rope wasn’t strong. It couldn’t support the two men.
7. He was very drunk. He couldn’t answer my questions.
EXERCISE P.457 / THE ADVERB
Put in the sentences below emphasizers from the list:
really, honestly, actually, surely, literally, plainly, for sure, simply, just, clearly, certainly,
frankly
1. She likes the dress.
2. I don’t know what he wanted.
3. I can’t believe him.
4. He sat next to her.
5. I can’t understand it.
6. They will object to his intervention.
7. They tore his argument to pieces.
8. They don’t want it.
9. He jumped for joy.
10. They will warn us.
EXERCISE P.458 / THE ADVERB
Put in the sentences below amplifiers from the list:
a lot, far, much, utterly, bitterly, entirely, deeply, badly, fully, quite, altogether, extremely,
totally, completely, perfectly
1. They believed in the leader’s integrity.
2. He has ignored my request.
3. I can see why you are anxious about it.
4. She agrees with you.
5. We deplore his tactics.
6. I enjoy the play.
7. I must refuse to listen to your grumbling.
8. She will reject such views.
9. I forgot about her birthday.
10. He paid for the damage.
11. I need a drink.
12. He must have regretted his mistakes many times.
13 I prefer the old methods.
14. His results will have exceeded his expectations.
15. We miss our old friends.
EXERCISE P.459 / THE ADVERB
Put in the sentences below downtoners from the list:
mildly, practically, just, as good as, at all, sort of, a bit, quite, in the slightest, more or less, little
1. They forced him to resign.
2. They ruined the school.
3. As he was walking along, he stumbled and seemed ill.
4. I enjoyed the party, but I’ve been to better ones.
5. He resented their interference.
5. They have always disliked him.
6. She’ll be out for a few minutes.
7. They don’t support her.
8. I don’t like his attitude.
9. We don’t mind.
10. He realizes what trouble he has caused.
EXERCISE P.462 / THE ADVERB
Put either fairly or rather in the blank spaces:
1. I don’t think I can buy that, it’s ...... expensive.
2. I’m afraid that box is ...... small; you won’t get more than half of them in.
3. I shan’t be able to read the whole play in one evening; it’s ...... long.
4. I’m afraid I’ve written it ...... quickly, but I think you’ll find it ...... correct.
5. I’ve got a ...... good memory for names, but I’m ...... bad on dates.
6. You must agree that I look ...... well in this suit.
7. School teachers generally get ...... long holidays.
8. It was ...... unkind of her to be rude to you.
9. I thought her little girl was ...... sweet, didn’t you?
10. It was ...... clever of you to do it all by yourself.
EXERCISE P.463 / THE ADVERB
Reshape the following sentences using certainly or surely according to the sense:
1. I can’t believe it’ll last much longer.
2. I’ve a strong feeling that your room was arranged quite differently last time.
3. I’m sure they will try.
4. It is probable that they will be able to dissuade him, don’t you think?
5. I don’t believe he lives as far along as this.
6. “You haven’t forgotten me, have you?”
“Of course I haven’t.”
7. I’m quite sure that you can’t convince me.
8. Of course I’m not going to tell you.
9. It’s quite definite I can’t buy it at that price.
10. I expect he’ll be there, don’t you?
11. We are going aren’t we?
12. You must agree with me.
TRANSLATION P.469 / THE ADVERB
1. Trebuie cã primãvara e aproape. Aerul miroase proaspãt.
2. A chemat-o pe secretarã. Ea s-a uitat atentã prin hârtii si apoi a intrat la el în birou.
3. Nu-mi place acest vin. Are gust acru.
4. A gustat supa cu grijã fiindcã nu-i plãcea sã fie fierbinte.
5. Cântecul sunã minunat.
6. Nu reusea sã-si cumpere masina ce si-o dorea si se simtea mizerabil.
7. Era destul de întuneric pe hall. El a pipãit usor de-a lungul peretelui cãutând întrerupãtorul.
8. Cred cã a trecut cu bine examenul. Pare foarte fericit.
9. Cum te simti în aceastã frumoasã dimineatã de varã. Mã simt minunat.
10. Arãti obosit. Cred cã ai lucrat cam mult în ultima vreme.
REVISION P.470 / THE ADVERB
Fill in the blanks with the following words. State when they are used as adverbs or adjectives.
Adapt them if necessary to correspond to their usage:
monthly, last, better, wide, sudden, best, lively, lovely
1. I’m a ...player than you are.
2. I pay my rent ....
3. Open that window.....
4. My name is .. on the list.
5. He made a .... move and got up.
6. Do your .... to try and help him.
7. They performed in a....... manner.
8. She is a ..... teacher, all children take to her.
REVISION P.471 / THE ADVERB
Translate
1. M-am purtat prosteste, te rog iartã-mã.
2. A dat un rãspuns obraznic.
3. Deabia mi-am dat seama despre ce vorbea.
4. Nu e cazul sã mã privesti atât de neprietenos.
5. Voi cere sã vãd actele în cursul acestei dimineti.
6. Se pare cã tot nu a priceput.
7. Nu voi putea ajunge decât la 5.
8. Nu voi putea ajunge la 5 ci doar la 6.
9. Nu l-am vãzut de foarte mult timp, dacã mã gândesc bine nu l-am vãzut de când am terminat
facultatea. deci l-am vãzut ultiuma oarã acum 15 ani.
10. În timpul discursului s-a ridicat si a plecat.
11. Tot nu a terminat sã se aranjeze pentru petrecere.
12. Mã întâlnesc cu John tot a doua zi.
13. Sistematic uitã sã stingã lumina la baie.
14. S-ar prea putea sã aibã dreptate.
15. Nu mi-e de loc fricã.
16. Cel mai probabil asta se va îmtâmpla.
17. Contrar tuturor asteptãrilor, el a luat examenul.
18. Este un student mult mai bun decât se spune despre el.