POINTS WORTH WATCHING WHEN USING ADVERBS I. Careful speakers observe the differences explained below.
. Review the first two points in Section 9, page 25.
. sure—surely, certainly:
. extra—extremely, very:
near—nearly:
. most—almost:
. some—somewhat:
Sure is an adjective and should not be used when you mean surely or certainly.
I certainly was surprised to see you, not “I sure was surprised to see you.”
He’ll surely make a good toastmaster, not “He’ll sure make a good toastmaster.”
Extra is an adjective and must always modify a noun or pronoun.
_ There are two extra chairs in the room.
It was an extremely (or very) hard assignment, not “It was an extra hard assignment.”
Near is an adjective usually and modifies a noun or pronoun.
(It is also a preposition meaning close by.)
It was not nearly so cold as we had feared, not “It was not near so cold.”
Most is frequently an adjective; almost is always an adverb.
I was almost frozen when I came in from skating, not “I was most frozen—”
Some is an adjective; somewhat is an adverb.
She feels somewhat better today, not “She feels some better to- day.”
II. Usage differs on the following points, but there are preferences to be observed.
1. Use anywhere, somewhere—rather than any place, some place:
I’m sure I put it somewhere in the living room, not ‘I’m sure I put it some place—”’
I have looked everywhere for it, not “I have looked every place for it.”
2. It is preferable not to use very before a past participle (the third principal part of the verb).
She was very well pleased with her progress, not ‘‘She was very pleased—”’
I was very much alarmed by the sudden noise, not “I was very alarmed—”
III. The position of the adverb is often important.
1. An adverb should be placed so that the meaning will be accurately expressed.
“He lost almost fifty cents’’ means something quite different from ‘‘He almost lost fifty cents.”
“He ruined nearly ten dollars’ worth of material in making the experiment’’ means some- thing quite different from ‘‘He nearly ruined ten dollars’ worth of material.”’
2. It is usually better not to place an adverb between to and the rest of the infinitive. (This is called the split infinitive.) It is decided by considerations of force and clarity and smooth- ness rather than by rule.
The inspecting officer decided to begin the inspection immediately, rather than ‘The in- specting officer decided to immediately begin the inspection.”
We were able partially to restore the damaged portions of the building, rather than “We were able to partially restore—”’
(In the practice work and tests, choose the arrangement which does not split the infinitive, to show that you recognize the situation. )
IV. Redundant adverbs should be avoided.
1. The double negative is incorrect and should be carefully watched. Hardly and scarcely are both negative in idea.
I have thought of no plan, or I haven’t thought of any plan, not “I haven’t thought of no plan.”
I have written no theme for today, not “‘I haven’t written no theme for today.”
We could hardly see the lights through the fog, not ‘“‘We couldn’t hardly see the lights through the fog.”’
2. Two words expressing the same idea should not be used.
The theme must be written again, not “The theme must be written over again.”
Will you please repeat the word, not “Will you please repeat the word over again.”
3. Contradictory adverbs should not be used together.
She usually comes to school early, not “She usually always comes to school early.”
V. A point in spelling:
With the exception of the word public, adjectives ending in ic add al before adding ly:
publicly announced, but
athletically inclined dramatically effective
comically portrayed tragically significant
artistically drawn mechanically accurate
comically portrayed PRACTICE:
Revise each incorrect sentence by striking out errors and, if necessary, inserting correct - words. A few sentences are correct; write “C” at the left of the number.
—_____— 1. I was extra careful in preparing this theme.
—_______ 2. You have cleaned your room very good today, Anne.
______ 3. The children were very excited when they received the invitation.
—___ 4. I enjoy the canary because it sings so sweetly.
5. I have searched every place for the notebook I lost, but I can’t find it.
6. Jane looked well after her month’s vacation at the lake.
____— 7. He has almost collected one hundred pounds of scrap paper.
—____ 8. It was not near so hot at the beach as it was in the city.
9. We were sure pleased to hear of your recovery.
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. We hoped to safely arrive at our destination before the tornado struck.
. [ haven’t read no book yet for my book review.
. George cleaned the car so good that his father decided to pay him.
. It was real thoughtful of you to send the flowers.
. I can’t hardly believe that she would tell such a lie.
. He usually always locks his car when he parks it.
. There wasn’t scarcely a thing that could be done.
. We were not supposed to stay in the invalid’s room only a short time.
I was surely surprised to hear the facts in the case.
He has only answered five of the eight questions.
. Soon I had finally managed to get one hand free from the rope.
. A pupil was tardy, and the teacher had to repeat the assignment over again.
. The assignment was not nearly so long as we had thought.
. [have read most all the books on that list.
. The hall was very artisticly decorated for the dance.
. His work is some better than it was the first semester.
. Everybody is not a good speller.
. He acted mechanically, as if he were not really aware of what he was doing.
. All the pupils had not left the building; some were still at their lockers.
You should now take the Test on Correct Use of Prepositions, Adjectives, and Adverbs, pg. 9 in the Test Booklet.
WORD STUDY 8.
Master the spelling and the pronunciation:
complicated congenial
initial
participate (to) perpetuate unusual
villain
(Part of speech and definition)
trivial For further progress:
agility
egotism
Examples:
She enjoyed swimming and playing golf with a group of congenial people whom she met at the lake resort.
The alumni of the school established a scholarship fund to perpetuate the memory of their beloved president, calling it the Davis Fund.
He had a way of emphasizing trivial details which was most annoying when we were trying to determine the important issues at stake.
The little fellow hopped along on his crutches with surprising agility and was never far be- hind the other children.
It is difficult for the writer of an AOtenioeee phy to avoid the effect of egotism, for he must inevitably tell about himself.
Write original sentences here:
SECTION 16