Adjectives & Adverbs
-ed/-ing adjectives
B1 IntermediateAdjectives ending in -ed and -ing describe feelings and the things that cause those feelings. Understanding the difference helps you avoid common errors when describing people and situations.
'Enough' and 'Too'
A2 ElementaryUse 'too' to indicate that something is more than necessary or desired, and 'enough' to indicate that something is sufficient or adequate.
'Quite', 'Pretty', 'Rather', 'Fairly'
B1 IntermediateThese adverbs of degree modify adjectives and adverbs to indicate a level between 'a little' and 'very'. They help speakers express nuance regarding intensity and expectation.
'So' and 'Such'
B1 IntermediateUse 'so' and 'such' to add emphasis or show the result of a quality. They function as intensifiers, with 'so' modifying adjectives or adverbs and 'such' modifying noun phrases.
'Still', 'Yet', 'Already', 'Anymore'
B1 IntermediateThese adverbs describe the timing of events in relation to the present moment, often used with the present perfect and present continuous tenses.
Adjective order
A2 ElementaryAdjective order describes the standard sequence used when multiple adjectives modify a single noun. English speakers typically follow a specific hierarchy based on the type of information the adjective provides.
Adjectives
A1 BeginnerAdjectives are words used to describe or identify nouns. They provide information about qualities such as size, age, color, and opinion.
Adverb placement
A2 ElementaryAdverbs describe how, when, or how often an action happens. Their position in a sentence depends on the type of adverb and the verbs used.
Adverbs of degree
A1 BeginnerAdverbs of degree modify adjectives or other adverbs to express the intensity or strength of a quality. Common examples include 'very', 'really', and 'too'.
Adverbs of frequency
A1 BeginnerAdverbs of frequency describe how often an action occurs, ranging from 0% to 100% of the time. They follow specific word order rules depending on whether the main verb is 'be' or another action verb.
Adverbs of manner
A1 BeginnerAdverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. They typically follow the main verb or the object to provide more detail about the behavior or process.
Adverbs of time
A1 BeginnerAdverbs of time describe when an action happens or for how long. These words help provide a chronological context for events in the past, present, or future.
As ... as (positive equality)
A2 ElementaryUse 'as... as' to show that two people, things, or situations are equal in a specific quality. This structure compares adjectives or adverbs without changing their form.
Comparative adjectives
A1 BeginnerComparative adjectives are used to describe the differences between two people, places, or things. They indicate which of the two has more or less of a specific quality.
Comparative and superlative (advanced)
B1 IntermediateAdvanced comparative structures describe how two changes are linked or emphasize a specific degree of difference. These forms, such as double comparatives, show cause and effect or gradual progression.
Comparative and superlative adverbs
A2 ElementaryComparative and superlative adverbs are used to compare how actions are performed. They show if an action is done to a higher degree or the highest degree among a group.
Comparatives for equality
A1 BeginnerUse 'as + adjective + as' to say two things are the same, and 'not as + adjective + as' to show they are different.
Compound adjectives
B2 Upper IntermediateCompound adjectives are multi-word modifiers that function as a single unit to describe a noun. They often use hyphens to clarify meaning and prevent ambiguity when placed before a noun.
Intensifiers
B1 IntermediateIntensifiers are adverbs used to add strength or emphasis to adjectives. They help express strong feelings or extreme qualities in a more precise way.
Inversion with negative adverbials
C1 AdvancedInversion with negative adverbials involves placing a negative or restrictive word at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, followed by an auxiliary verb and the subject. This structure is primarily used in formal writing and high-level oratory to create a dramatic or forceful tone.
Modifying comparatives
B2 Upper IntermediateModifying comparatives allows speakers to specify the degree of difference between two things, indicating whether a difference is large or small.
Superlative adjectives
A1 BeginnerSuperlative adjectives compare three or more things to identify the one with the highest degree of a quality. They are typically preceded by the definite article 'the'.
Whose
A1 BeginnerUse 'whose' to ask which person owns or is responsible for an object. It is an interrogative determiner used at the start of a question.