Adjectives

Common Mistakes in Learning Adjectives

Learning adjectives can be tricky, and there are some common pitfalls that students often encounter. Being aware of these common mistakes will help you avoid them and master adjectives more effectively.

1. Confusing Adjectives with Adverbs: This is perhaps the most frequent mistake. Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. For example:

   • Incorrect: He runs quick. (Quick is an adjective, but it should modify the verb “runs,” so we need an adverb.)

   • Correct: He runs quickly.

   • Incorrect: She is a beautifully girl. (Beautifully is an adverb, but it should modify the noun “girl,” so we need an adjective.)

   • Correct: She is a beautiful girl.

2. Misusing Comparative and Superlative Forms: Remember the rules for forming comparative and superlative adjectives. Don’t use “-er” and “more” together, or “-est” and “most” together. Also, remember irregular forms (like good/better/best).

   • Incorrect: He is more taller than his brother.

   • Correct: He is taller than his brother. OR He is more tall than his brother (less common, but grammatically possible with some words)

   • Incorrect: She is the most prettiest girl in the class.

   • Correct: She is the prettiest girl in the class. OR She is the most pretty girl in the class (less common, but grammatically possible with some words)

3. Incorrect Adjective Order: When using multiple adjectives, remember the typical order (opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, type). While native speakers sometimes deviate for emphasis, sticking to the order generally makes your writing sound more natural.

   • Awkward: a red, big car
   • Better: a big, red car

4. Using Adjectives as Nouns: In most cases, adjectives cannot be used as nouns.

   • Incorrect: The rich should help the poor. (Here, “rich” and “poor” are being used to represent groups of people.)
   • Correct: The rich people should help the poor people. OR The wealthy should help the impoverished. (Using the adjectives to modify implied nouns or using other nouns.)

5. Forgetting Predicative Adjectives: Remember that adjectives can also follow linking verbs and describe the subject. Don’t just focus on adjectives that come before nouns.

   • Correct: The flowers are fragrant.

6. Not Capitalizing Proper Adjectives: Proper adjectives, derived from proper nouns, should always be capitalized.

   • Incorrect: french fries
   • Correct: French fries

7. Overusing Adjectives: While adjectives add detail, using too many can make your writing clunky and difficult to read. Choose your adjectives carefully and use them effectively. Sometimes, a strong verb or precise noun can be more powerful than a string of adjectives.

8. Confusing Demonstrative Adjectives with Demonstrative Pronouns: Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns, while demonstrative pronouns replace nouns.

   • Adjective: This book is mine.
   • Pronoun: This is mine.

Exercise

Test your understanding on Adjectives by answering the following questions.

Understanding Temporal Conjunctions in English

In English grammar, conjunctions are words that connect clauses, phrases, or words. One specific type of conjunction is the temporal conjunction, which helps indicate time relationships between different parts of a sentence. These conjunctions show when an action happens in relation to another action.

Temporal conjunctions are used to link two clauses by showing time-based relationships. They help answer the questions when, how long, or how often an event occurs.

a. Common Temporal Conjunctions

Here are some commonly used temporal conjunctions:

• Before – indicates that one event happens earlier than another.
• After – shows that one event follows another.
• When – specifies the time something happens.
• While – shows that two events happen at the same time.
• Until – indicates that an event continues up to a certain point.
• As soon as – means immediately after another action.
• Since – refers to a point in the past when something started.
• Once – means after something happens.
• By the time – refers to a deadline or a specific moment before something happens.

b. Examples of Temporal Conjunctions in Sentences

1. Before I go to bed, I always brush my teeth.
2. We will start the meeting after John arrives.
3. Call me when you get home.
4. She was reading a book while waiting for the bus.
5. You cannot leave until you finish your homework.
6. I will call you as soon as I arrive at the airport.
7. She has been studying here since last year.
8. Once you understand the concept, it becomes easy.
9. By the time we reached the station, the train had already left.

c. How to Use Temporal Conjunctions Correctly

1. Placement of Temporal Conjunctions:A temporal conjunction can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.
   If it appears at the beginning, use a comma to separate the clauses.
   Example: Before you go to bed, turn off the lights.
   If it appears in the middle, no comma is needed.
   Example: Turn off the lights before you go to bed.
2. Using Correct Verb Tenses:The verb tenses in the clauses must match the time relationship.
   Example: She had left before I arrived. (Past perfect + past simple)
   Example: I will call you as soon as I arrive. (Future + present simple)
3. Avoiding Common Mistakes:Do not use future tense after conjunctions like “when,” “before,” or “after” in time clauses.
   Incorrect: I will call you when I will arrive.
   Correct: I will call you when I arrive.

d. Conclusion

Temporal conjunctions are essential in English because they help clarify the timing of events in a sentence. By understanding and using them correctly, you can improve your writing and speaking skills. Keep practicing, and soon, using temporal conjunctions will become second nature!

e. Practice Exercises

Choose the correct temporal conjunction!

 

Understanding Sentence Structures: Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex Sentences

Have you ever noticed how some sentences are short and to the point, while others are longer and more detailed? The way we structure sentences helps us express our ideas clearly. In English, there are four types of sentence structures: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.

By understanding these structures, you’ll improve both your writing and speaking skills. Let’s explore each type step by step!

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1. Simple Sentences: The Building Blocks

A simple sentence is the most basic type. It contains only one independent clause, which means it expresses a complete thought. It has a subject and a verb, and it may also include an object or other details.

✅ Formula: Subject + Verb (+ Object)

🔹 Examples:
✅ She sings. (Subject: She, Verb: sings)
✅ Tom plays basketball every evening. (Subject: Tom, Verb: plays, Object: basketball, Time: every evening)
✅ The sun shines brightly in the morning. (Subject: The sun, Verb: shines, Adverb of Manner: brightly, Time: in the morning)

Even though some simple sentences are short, they can still be powerful. A short, clear sentence like “She is kind.” can say a lot in just three words!

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2. Compound Sentences: Connecting Ideas

A compound sentence is formed when two independent clauses are joined together. This is often done using coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) or a semicolon (;).

🔹 Examples:
✅ I was tired, but I finished my homework. (Two independent clauses: “I was tired” + “I finished my homework”)
✅ She loves to read, so she visits the library often.
✅ The sky was dark; we knew a storm was coming.

By using compound sentences, we can connect related thoughts and make our writing more engaging.

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3. Complex Sentences: Adding Depth

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it relies on the independent clause. These clauses are connected using subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when, since, if, etc.).

🔹 Examples:
✅ Although it was raining, we went for a walk. (Dependent clause: “Although it was raining” + Independent clause: “we went for a walk”)
✅ I stayed home because I was feeling sick.
✅ She smiled when she saw her friend.

Complex sentences allow us to explain reasons, add conditions, or give extra details about an action.

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4. Compound-Complex Sentences: Mastering Complexity

A compound-complex sentence combines both compound and complex structures. It has at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

🔹 Examples:
✅ Although she was tired, she studied hard, and she passed the test. (Dependent clause: “Although she was tired” + Compound part: “she studied hard, and she passed the test”)
✅ I went to the park because the weather was nice, and I met my friends there.
✅ The teacher was happy because the students did well on the test, but she reminded them to keep working hard.

These sentences are great for expressing complex thoughts in a single sentence.

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Summary Table

Sentence Type	Structure	Example
Simple Sentence	1 independent clause	She loves to read.
Compound Sentence	2 independent clauses joined by FANBOYS or (;)	She was tired, but she kept working.
Complex Sentence	1 independent + 1 or more dependent clauses	Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
Compound-Complex Sentence	2 independent + 1 or more dependent clauses	Although it was late, he continued studying, and he passed the test.

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Conclusion

Now that you understand the four sentence structures, you can use them to improve your writing! Simple sentences keep things clear, compound sentences connect ideas, complex sentences add depth, and compound-complex sentences let us express detailed thoughts.

The more you practice, the better you’ll become at writing and identifying different sentence structures. Try the exercises below!

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Practice Exercises

A. Identify the Sentence Type

Read the sentences below and identify whether they are simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.

1. She walked to the store.
2. The movie was exciting, but the ending was disappointing.
3. Because I studied hard, I passed the test.
4. Although I was tired, I finished my homework, and I went to bed early.
5. The teacher smiled when the students answered correctly.
6. We planned a picnic, but it rained, so we stayed inside.

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B. Create Your Own Sentences

Write one sentence for each type:

1. A simple sentence
2. A compound sentence
3. A complex sentence
4. A compound-complex sentence

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C. Combine Sentences

Rewrite the following sentence pairs into the correct sentence structure:

1. (Simple → Compound)
   • I like coffee.
   • I also enjoy tea.
2. (Compound → Complex)
   • She was late, so she missed the bus.
   • She was late because she woke up late.
3. (Complex → Compound-Complex)
   • Although it was raining, we went outside.
   • We played soccer.

Adverb in English

Definition

An adverb is a part of speech, can be a word or a group of words (phrases or clauses), that modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, except nouns. An adverb gives more information about those words by telling time, place, manner, degree, cause/reason, frequency, inference, result, condition, exception, purpose, etc. An adverb generally answer questions such as when, where, how, why, in what extent, and how often, etc.

Below I have one sentence and I’ll present how the adverbs in the sentence answer every question above. Here’s the sentence:
Mom always prepares breakfast very quickly in the kitchen every morning because she wants us to have some food before leaving. (The words highlighted in yellow are the adverbs).
Pay attention to the following questions!

1. When does mom prepare breakfast? She prepares breakfast every morning.
2. Where does mom prepare breakfast? She prepares breakfast in the kitchen.
3. How does mom prepare breakfast? She prepares breakfast quickly.
4. Why does mom prepare breakfast? Because she wants us to have some food before leaving.
5. How fast (in what extent of speed) does mom prepare breakfast? She prepares breakfast very quickly.
6. How often does mom prepare breakfast? She always prepares breakfast for us.

Explanation:

In sentence 1, every morning answer the question when; every morning serve as adverb of time.
In sentence 2, in the kitchen answer the question where; in the kitchen serve as adverb of place.
In sentence 3, quickly answers the question how; quickly serves as adverb of manner.
In sentence 4, because she wants us to have some food before leaving answer the question why; because … serve as adverb of reason.
In sentence 5, very answers the question how fast (in what extent/degree of speed); very serves as adverb of degree.
In sentence 6, always answers the question how often; always serves as adverb of frequency.

To get more comprehensive understanding on adverbs, you’d better see the following discussion on kinds of adverbs. I’ll present more detail information there.

Kinds of Adverbs

There are many kinds of adverbs, among others are:

1. Adverbs of Time
2. Adverb of Place
3. Adverb of Manner
4. Adverb of Cause and Effect
5. Adverb of Reason
6. Adverb of Degree
7. Adverb of Frequency
8. Adverb of Certainty
9. Adverb of Purpose
10. Adverb of Comment

You can go to to Position of Adverbs  to build more understanding on adverbs.

“be going to” and “would like to”

1. be going to

We can use “be going to + infinitive” to talk about future intention/plan which is fairly certain.
e.g:
I am studying Japanese. I am going to be a Japanese teacher.
She is preparing everything now. She is going to conduct a party next Saturday.
They don’t buy the concert tickets. They are not going to go to the concert.

2. 2. would like to+infinitive

Use “would like to+infinitive” to talk about ambition, hope or preference.
e.g:
I would like to speak Mandarin fluently.
I would like to go to Japan soon.
I would like to be financially free.