1. Grammar II – Day 2
Adverbs and Adjectives

2. Day 2
• Position of adverbs: adverb + adjective; adverb + verb;
front, mid or end position
• Adverb collocation
• Adverbs with two forms
• Just and its several meanings
• Intensifying adverbs and verbs
• Quite + adjectives
• Participles in adverb clauses
• Subordinate adverbial clauses
Ensino de Língua Inglesa e Novas
Tecnologias - Gramática II

3. Day 2
• Adjective order
• Limit adjectives
• Gradable adjectives
• Intensifying adjectives
• Participles as adjectives
• Participles as reduced relative clauses
• Subordinate adjectival clauses
Ensino de Língua Inglesa e Novas
Tecnologias - Gramática II

4. There are several types of adverb
• Manner: quickly,
gently, sincerely
• Place: here, outside,
upstairs
• Point in time:
yesterday, tonight
• Indefinite time: already,
still, yet
• Frequency: always,
never, seldom
• Comment: clearly,
obviously, naturally
• Linking: however, so,
although
• Degree/intensifier:
very, nearly, really

5. Same adverb, different type
• Some can be both comment and manner
– I can see the yacht clearly
– Clearly, you need to cut down on the junk food

6. Sensibly
• He (A) discussed the design with her (B).
A – It was wise B – In a sensible way

7. Honestly
(B)I don't think the mayor is capable of answering
the questions (A). (honestly)
A – In a honest way B – I'm telling the truth

8. Obviously
• He (B) realized she wasn't (A) well.
A- Of course she wasn't B- Of course he did

9. Kindly
The pilots (B) agreed to speak to the journalists (A).
A – In a kind way B – it was kind of them

10. Adverb position
• Immediately before the adjective or past participle
being qualified
– We were deeply disappointed with his performance
• Usually after the predicate (verb + object) being
qualified
– I love the classic composers very much

11. Adverb position
• There are 3 main positions in the English sentence:
front, mid and end
– Today, we're studying adverbs
– We sincerely hope you can make it to the ball
– She speaks five languages fluently

12. Adverb position
• The position changes in accordance with the type of
adverb
• Front position: Point in time, Comment, Linking
– Tomorrow we're going to Paris
– Obviously, I got it wrong
– It was raining, so we went back home

13. Adverb position
• Mid-position: Manner, Indefinite time, Frequency,
Comment
– She quickly tidied her room and ran to catch the bus
– Sorry, but I still don't understand
– I seldom drink tea in the morning
– I apparently got it wrong

14. Adverb position
• End position: Manner, Place, Point in time
– She tidied up quickly
– They're playing outside
– We'll be leaving in the morning

15. Adverbs to express completion
• They come in mid-position
– I have completely forgot about the party
– We have almost completed the course

16. Adverb order
• With more than one adverbial in the end position,
we use the manner, place, time order:
– We watched the sun rise slowly and majestically above
the horizon.
– I waited for you at home yesterday. Why didn't you call?

17. Exercise 1: correct or incorrect?
• I've already seen the film - CORRECT
• You very nearly killed me! What were you thinking? – (spoken
example, very colloquial, for the purpose of emphasis)
• I'll naturally pay you back as soon as I get paid – INCORRECT
(NATURALLY, I’LL PAY YOU BACK...)
• We just sat around at home lazily watching the day go by. -
CORRECT
• The team last night played superbly well. – INCORRECT (LAST
NIGHT, THE TEAM PLAYED... Or ... THE TEAM PLAYED SUPERBLY
WELL LAST NIGHT)
• I got a nearly full score on the test. INCORRECT (I NEARLY GOT...

18. Adverb collocation
• There seems to be a semantic link between adverbs
and certain verbs and adjectives, e.g. deeply is
normally used to express intense feelings:
– Deeply regret
– Deeply embarrassing
– Deeply hurt

19. Exercise 2: what's the adverb + adjective/verb
combination in each sentence?
• If we admit something, we feel free to do so. FREELY
ADMIT
• When we recommend something or someone, we
make high recommendations HIGHLY RECOMMEND
• Any sort of damage is usually severe in terms of
impact. SEVERLY DAMAGE
• If you're in a hurry to get to the office, you can take a
brisk walk instead of trying the subway. BRISKLY
WALK(ING)

20. Exercise 2: what's the adverb + adjective
combination in each sentence?
• Missing someone is always a sad affair. SADLY
MISS/SORELY MISS
• Anxiety and despair go hand in hand; so the need to
be desperate is more than natural. DESPERATELY
NEED/ SORELY NEED
• When giving an opinion about a controversial issue,
there is no way we can not have strong feelings
about it STRONGLY FEEL
• Partial insurance is no insurance whatsoever; accept
nothing but full coverage FULLY INSURANCE

21. Exercise 3: Match a verb on the left with an
adverb on the right
• Scream (Hysterically)
• Gaze (Longingly,
Passionately)
• Love (Passionately)
• Break something
(Deliberately)
• Work (Conscientiously)
• Apologize (Profusely)
• Passionately
• Profusely
• Longingly
• Hysterically
• Conscientiously
• Deliberately

22. Adverbs with two forms
• One with the –ly suffix, one without. The
meanings are not directly related
– We work hard
– We hardly recognized her with the new hairdo.

23. Other adverbs with two forms
• Easy – easily
• Late – lately
• Sure – surely
• Wrong- wrongly
• Most – mostly
• Wide - widely

24. Adverbs with two forms
• The first in the pair doubles as an adjective
and adverb
– That was an easy test!
– Hey take it easy!
– You could have easily taken him down
– Is he just going to walk free?
– Don't forget to redeem your free gift
– He talked freely about his illegal activities in
public.

25. Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence below
without changing the meaning
• The need for a stiff penalty for late deliveries will be
highly unlikely.
• It’s virtually improbable that we will need to apply a stiff
penalty for late deliveries.
• The necessity for a stiff penalty for late deliveries will be
highly unlikely.

26. Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence below
without changing the meaning
• I distinctly remember their saying that it would not be a
problem to meet the deadline.
• I clearly remember them saying that it would be fine to
meet the deadline.
• I clearly remember when they said (that) it would not be
a problem to meet the deadline.

27. Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence below
without changing the meaning
• I sincerely hope the company honors its impeccable
reputation.
• Honestly, I hope the company honors/upholds its
unmistakable/untainted/flawless/spotless reputation.

28. Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence below
without changing the meaning
• We eagerly await the outcome of next week's board
meeting.
• We anxiously await/are looking forward to the outcome
of next week's board meeting.
• We can barely/hardly wait for the outcome of next
week's board meeting.

29. Exercise 4: Rephrase the sentence below
without changing the meaning
• That no one can accurately predict market trends is
understandable, but I felt the need for more meticulous
planning.
• It’s
understandable/reasonable/justifiable/comprehensible
that no one can precisely predict market trend, but I felt
the need for more detailed planning, (however/though).

30. Attitude adverbs and adverbials
3 umbrella categories

31. Certainty/Expectation
• Astonishingly
• Disturbingly
• Inevitably
• Naturally
• Predictably
• Not surprisingly
• Obviously
• Without a doubt
• As might be expected
• Clearly
• Of course
• Undoubtedly

32. Evaluation/Importance
• Apparently
• Disturbingly
• Unfortunately
• Fortunately
• Interestingly
• Quite rightly
• (Even) More importantly
• Significantly

33. Generalization
• As a general rule
• By and large
• Typically
• Generally speaking
• On the whole

34. Exercise 5: Rephrase with an adverb
• NOT SURPRISINGLY, Crime rates have risen in line with
unemployment figures. That doesn't surprise me.
• FORTUNATELY, there is a very satisfactory solution to the
problem.That's a good thing.
• Technology will cause more problems than it solves,
APPARENTLY (so people say).
• Older people don't adapt so easily to new technology, AS
A RULE – (at least that's a general rule).
• INTERESTINGLY/STRANGELY, children often pick up new
skills for themselves. That really interests me.

35. Just
• The adverb just has several meanings:
– This house is just right for us. (Exactly)
– But he's just a boy! (Only)
– I've just tried phoning you. (A short time before)
– I'm just getting dressed. (Right now)
– I just want you to leave right now. I'd just like an egg for
breakfast, please. (Simply, only)
– You're just as bad as my father. He can't see a football
match on TV. (Equally, no less)

36. Just
• As it has several meanings, it can occupy the three
main adverb positions in a sentence :
– Just looking at him and you can tell who he looks like.
– Do you think you could just do what I tell you?
– In the end we managed to get there before they closed
the doors – just. (Spoken English)

37. Exercise 6: Add just to the sentences
• Italian's JUST as difficult as Spanish.
• JUST Leave me alone, will you?
• That picture looks JUST right on the wall.
• It's starting to rain. Do you JUST happen to have an
umbrella?
• We've got JUST enough time to get to the airport
• I've JUST seen a terrible accident.
• Stop talking and JUST eat up!
• He wasn't badly hurt. It was JUST a small bruise.

38. Intensifying adverbs
• In most of these combinations, however, there
seems to be no specific reason for their collocation

39. Totally
Absolutely
Quite
Agree
Totally Disagree
Completely
Fully
Perfectly
Understand
Seriously
Sincerely
Believe
Completely
Strongly
Entirely
Really
Thoroughly
Greatly
Forget
Disapprove
Depend
Like
Enjoy
Appreciate

40. Impossible combinations
Sincerely agree
Quite disagree
Totally remember
Fully think
Completely adore
Fully destroy
Strongly like

41. Intensifying adverbs
• The type of adverb depends on the type of
adjective with which it might combine:
– With gradable adjectives: very, awfully, rather,
extremely, terribly, fairly, really, pretty, quite
– With limit adjectives: absolutely, completely,
utterly, totally, entirely, pretty, really, simply,
quite

42. Weak Limit Extreme 1 Extreme 2
Irritated Angry Furious Livid
Significant Important Essential Vital
Content Happy Delighted Ecstatic
Pretty Beautiful Gorgeous Stunning
Sizeable Big Enormous Gigantic

43. Intensifying adverbs
• In general, the native speaker does not make the
following combinations:
– totally essential, entirely determined, completely furious
• Combinations that are (no-brainers) always possible:
– Very + gradable adjectives e.g. very happy/tired/big
– Absolutely + limit adjectives e.g. absolutely
enormous/delicious/delighted
– Really + gradable and limit adjectives e.g. really
angry/surprised/amazed

44. Exercise 7: Complete the following paragraph
with an appropriate adverb
• I feel I must write to you on the following matter. I
DO/TRULY/QUITE/HONESTLY believe that there is far
too much sport of all kinds shown on LTC television
today. I STRONGLY disapprove of the non-stop
coverage, of football, golf, and cricket on all your
channels. I DO/SINCERELY admit sport plays a major
role in our society, but this is unacceptable. Sundays
are already COMPLETELY/FULLY taken up by sport. I
CERTAINLY/REALLY/SURELY/DO hope you will listen
to those who are not sports fanatics and provide
some alternative entertainment.

45. The adverb Quite
• The meaning of quite is phonologically
determined, i.e. based on stress
– With gradable adjectives and stress on quite = Ok,
but not as good as I expected: The restaurant was
quite good, but I wouldn't go back

46. The adverb Quite
– With gradable adjectives and with stress on the
adjective = It was better than I expected: The film
was quite good. You'll really like it
– With a limit adjetive and stress on both words =
up to the top (with exaggerated rising intonation):
Are you quite sure?

47. Adverbial clauses
• He went to party dressed as a monkey.
• She sat by the fire reading a book.
• Opening his suitcase, he took out a revolver.
• Released from its cage, the lion prowled
around.
• Having finished lunch, we set off.

48. Adverbial clauses
• Being a mean person, he never spent more
time than he had to.
• Weakened by years of bad health, she could
hardly sit up in bed.
• It rained every day for two weeks, completely
ruining our holiday.
• Taken regularly, aspirin can reduce the risk of
a stroke.

49. Exercise 8: Simultaneity, Consequence, Reason,
Condition, Sequence
• Living in London, I appreciate the pros and cons of city life.
REASON
• He cut himself opening a can of sardines. SIMULTANEITY
• Having read the minutes of the meeting, I wrote my university
final paper. SEQUENCE
• Having read the minutes of the meeting, I understood the
problems. REASON/CONSEQUENCE

50. Exercise 8: Simultaneity, Consequence, Reason,
Condition, Sequence
• Cooked in a white wine sauce, rabbit meat can be succulent.
CONDITION
• Knowing my love of chocolate, she hid it in the top cupboard.
REASON
• Wrested from his parents' arms as a child, he's always had
difficulty establishing relationships. REASON/CONSEQUENCE
• Browsing in the neighborhood newsstand, I came across this
great book on computing skills. SIMULTANEITY

51. Adjectives - Position
• Attributive use: before noun or pronoun
• Predicative use: separated from noun or pronoun
following linking verbs - be, seem, appear, look:
The current economic situation looks grim, to
say the least.

52. Predicative adjectives
• Afloat
• Afraid
• Alive
• Alone
• Asleep

53. Another predicative adjective
Clergymen are answerable to a higher authority

54. Difference in meaning
• The treasurer was present at the last board meeting
• The present treasurer had trouble getting the
accounts in order CURRENT
• Robin Harris was late
• The late Robin Harris was a honorary member of the
association DECEASED
• Too many people in the world are still poor
• What will become of those poor people who have
lost their homes due to the landslides? PITIFUL

55. Exercise 9: Translate the sentences
• Great men are not always wise. (Grandes homens nem sempre são sábios)
• Peter and Paul were faithful in many ways. (Peter e Paul eram/foram leais de
várias maneiras)
• A good name is priceless. (Um nome limpo não tem preço)
• We should be reasonable irrespective of the circumstances (Devemos ser
sensatos independentemente/a despeito das circustâncias)
• The sword is quick and powerful. (A espada é rápida e poderosa)
• The rich man is wealthy beyond imagination. (O homem rico tem posses
inimagináveis)
• The sky grew dark as the storm approached. (O céu escurecia à medida que a
tempestade se aproximava)
• His trumpet sounds squeaky. (O trompete dele soa estridente)
• This is shoddy. Isn't it poor? (Isso é uma porcaria, não é?)
• The hamburger tasted greasy. (O hambúrguer estava gorduroso)

56. Position of Adjectives
• Adjectives occupy the last position before the noun
phrase:
determiners: both, all, half, the, this, these, that, those,
my etc.
ordinals: last, next, other, first, second
quantifiers: few, lot of, little, numerals
adjectives

57. OPINION
FACTUAL
SIZE
AGE/TEMPERATURE
SHAPE
COLOR/PATTERN
ORIGIN
MATERIAL
PURPOSE/TYPE

58. It’s a rose. (sweet-smelling; exquisite; apricot-colored)
It’s a exquisite, sweet-smelling, apricot-colored rose

59. She’s wearing trousers. (leather; black, shiny; tight-
fitting)
She’s wearing shiny, tight-fitting, black, leather
trousers

60. I met a student. (young; trendy; art; Venezuelan)
I met a trendy, young, Venezuelan, art student

61. We drove out of the city to see some cottages.
(thatched; old; beautiful; two-storey)
We drove out of the city to see some beautiful, old,
thatched, two-storey cottages

62. Exercise 11: Translate the sentences to English
• Delicioso pão integral caseiro (Delicious, home-made,
whole wheat bread).
• Uma simpática idosa escocesa (A friendly old Scottish
lady).
• Uma linda camisa de seda listrada em vermelho e branco
(A beautiful red-and-white-stripped silk shirt).
• Um lindo menino gorducho e agitado (A cute, chubby,
lively boy).
• Uma graciosa sala de estar iluminada e arejada com pé-
direito alto (A lovely, bright, breezy, high-ceilinged living
room).

63. Exercise 11: Translate the sentences to English
• Um inestimável quadro impressionista do século XIX.
(A priceless, nineteenth-century, impressionist
painting)
• Um velho e sujo banquinho metálico de jardim (A
dirty old metal garden stool).
• Uma linda escrivaninha vitoriana (A beautiful
Victorian desk).
• Uma encantadora casa de campo caiada. (A
charming whitewashed country house)
• Uma pequena copa em forma de L.(A small L-shaped
dining room)

64. The negative prefix 'un'
The use of the negative prefix 'un' plus an
adjective occurs with a much higher frequency
in English, the phrase not always being simple
or practical to translate.

65. China's prime minister, Wen Jiabao, said
recently that structural problems are causing
unsteady, unbalanced, uncoordinated, and
unsustainable development. Newsweek, 5/9/09
O primeiro-ministro chinês Wen Jiabao, afirmou
recentemente que problemas estruturais vem
ocasionando desenvolvimento instável,
desequilibrado, descoordenado e insustentável.
Newsweek, 5/9/09

66. Semantically, the prefix can cause
ambiguity, as it can mean "the opposite of"
or "that never was".

67. • An unbuttoned shirt (In Portuguese "uma
camisa desabotoada" or "uma camisa nunca
abotoada/nova em folha")
• Other examples – uncovered, unfastened,
undone, undressed etc.

68. I regret to say that of a workmate, but his behavior
was absolutely unprofessional.
- unprofessional > amador
- unprofessional> anti-profissional, anti-ético

69. Whereas her big sister´s room was a stew of
unclosed books, unfolded clothes, unmade
bed, unemptied ashtrays, Briony's was a
shrine to her controlling demon. (Atonement,
2001)
Enquanto o quarto da sua irmã era uma
mistura de livros abertos, roupas para serem
dobradas, uma cama desarrumada,
cinzeiros cheios, o de Briony era um templo
para sua obsessão por controle. (Atonement,
2001)

70. Defining or Non-defining relative clauses
• Which gives essential information?
• Which is separated by commas?
• In which do we use that?
• In which can the relative pronoun be omitted?

71. Examples
• Chocolate is something (that) nearly everyone likes
• People that smoke normally damage their health
• Tortilla, which is made from eggs and potatoes, is a
typical Spanish dish
• Toby, whose job is difficult, spends his weekends
relaxing

72. Exercise 10: Find and correct the errors
• My mother who's a doctor works in a maternity hospital
• Ligaments join bones in the human body are made of strong
tissue
• Do you know anyone I can ask about this?
• The pharmacist gave me this medicine said it would help
• Distance running is a sport that requires no special equipment
• Dr. James, that has written several books on the subject, is a
dietician

73. Relative pronouns in academic English
• It is a rare condition of which little is known
• Professor Harris, with whom the team worked,
found a cure for the disease

74. Quantifiers in non-defining relative clauses
• Questionnaires were sent to 500 people, one third of
whom completed them