(Valentines Day is on [the] [fourteenth] [of] [February])
- Valentines Day is on
- (the): the
- (ordinal number): fourteenth
- (of): of
- (month): February
Avoid using a cardinal number instead of an ordinal number after (the). Avoid omitting (of) or (the) from the pattern.
Examples:
Incorrect: I have an appointment on (the five of june) at three o'clock.
Correct: I have an appointment on (the fifth of june) at three o'clock.
Incorrect: School starts on (sixteen September) this year.
Correct: School starts on (the sixteen of September) this year.
Incorrect: Her birthday is (second December).
Correct: Her birthday is (the second of December).
Incorrect: Please change my reservation to (the ten of November).
Correct: Please change my reservation to (the tenth of November).
Incorrect: Independence Day in the United States is (the four of July).
Correct: Independence Day in the United States is (the fourth of July).
Showing posts with label Problems With Modifiers.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Problems With Modifiers.. Show all posts
Problems With Modifiers (9): Time Modifiers.
([She] [has] [been] in the U.S. [for] [six months])
- (S): She
- (HAVE): has
- (participle): been
- in the U.S.
- (for): for
- (quantity of time): six months
([She] [has] [been] in the U.S. [since] [june])
- (S): She
- (HAVE): has
- (participle): been
- in the U.S.
- (since): since
- (specific time): june
([She] [has] [been] in the U.S. [since] [six months] [ago])
- (S): She
- (HAVE): has
- (participle): been
- in the U.S.
- (since): since
- (quantity of time): six months
- (ago): ago
Remember that a quantity of time may be several days - a' month, two years, etc. A specific time may be Wednesday, July, 1960, etc.
Avoid using (for) before specific times. Avoid using (for) with (ago). Avoid using (before) after (HAVE) and a participle.
Examples:
Incorrect: Mary has been on a diet (since) (three weeks).
Correct: Mary has been on a diet (for) (three weeks).
[OR]
Correct: Mary has been on a diet (since) (three weeks ago).
Incorrect: She has been living here (before) (April).
Correct: She has been living here (since) (April).
Incorrect: We haven't seen him (since) (almost a year).
Correct: We haven't seen him (for) (almost a year).
[OR]
Correct: We haven't seen him (since) (almost a year ago).
Incorrect: We have known each other (before) (1974).
Correct: We have known each other (since) (1974).
Incorrect: He has studied English (since) (five years).
Correct: He has studied English (for) (five years).
[OR]
Correct: He has studied English (since) (five years ago).
- (S): She
- (HAVE): has
- (participle): been
- in the U.S.
- (for): for
- (quantity of time): six months
([She] [has] [been] in the U.S. [since] [june])
- (S): She
- (HAVE): has
- (participle): been
- in the U.S.
- (since): since
- (specific time): june
([She] [has] [been] in the U.S. [since] [six months] [ago])
- (S): She
- (HAVE): has
- (participle): been
- in the U.S.
- (since): since
- (quantity of time): six months
- (ago): ago
Remember that a quantity of time may be several days - a' month, two years, etc. A specific time may be Wednesday, July, 1960, etc.
Avoid using (for) before specific times. Avoid using (for) with (ago). Avoid using (before) after (HAVE) and a participle.
Examples:
Incorrect: Mary has been on a diet (since) (three weeks).
Correct: Mary has been on a diet (for) (three weeks).
[OR]
Correct: Mary has been on a diet (since) (three weeks ago).
Incorrect: She has been living here (before) (April).
Correct: She has been living here (since) (April).
Incorrect: We haven't seen him (since) (almost a year).
Correct: We haven't seen him (for) (almost a year).
[OR]
Correct: We haven't seen him (since) (almost a year ago).
Incorrect: We have known each other (before) (1974).
Correct: We have known each other (since) (1974).
Incorrect: He has studied English (since) (five years).
Correct: He has studied English (for) (five years).
[OR]
Correct: He has studied English (since) (five years ago).
Problems With Modifiers (8): The Adverbs of Manner (Fast) and (Late).
([This medication] [relieves] headache [fast])
- (S): This medication
- (V): relieves
- headache
- (fast): fast
([My roommate] [returned] home [late] last night)
- (S): My roommate
- (V): returned
- home
- (late): late
- last night
Remember that although most adverbs of manner end in (- ly), (fast) and (late) do not have (- ly) endings.
Avoid using the incorrect forms (fastly) and (lately).
Examples:
Incorrect: Helen types (fastly) and efficiently.
Correct: Helen types (fast and efficiently.
Incorrect: The plane is scheduled to arrive (lately) because of bad weather.
Correct: The plane is scheduled to arrive (late) because of bad weather.
Incorrect: Although he ran as (fastly) as he could, he did not win the race.
Correct: Although he ran as (fast) as he could, he did not win the race.
Incorrect: When students register (lately) for classes, They must pay an additional fee.
Correct: When students register (late) for classes, They must pay an additional fee.
Incorrect: First class mail travels as (fastly) as airmail now.
Correct: First class mail travels as (fast) as airmail now.
- (S): This medication
- (V): relieves
- headache
- (fast): fast
([My roommate] [returned] home [late] last night)
- (S): My roommate
- (V): returned
- home
- (late): late
- last night
Remember that although most adverbs of manner end in (- ly), (fast) and (late) do not have (- ly) endings.
Avoid using the incorrect forms (fastly) and (lately).
Examples:
Incorrect: Helen types (fastly) and efficiently.
Correct: Helen types (fast and efficiently.
Incorrect: The plane is scheduled to arrive (lately) because of bad weather.
Correct: The plane is scheduled to arrive (late) because of bad weather.
Incorrect: Although he ran as (fastly) as he could, he did not win the race.
Correct: Although he ran as (fast) as he could, he did not win the race.
Incorrect: When students register (lately) for classes, They must pay an additional fee.
Correct: When students register (late) for classes, They must pay an additional fee.
Incorrect: First class mail travels as (fastly) as airmail now.
Correct: First class mail travels as (fast) as airmail now.
Problems With Modifiers (7): Adverbs of Manner.
([The class] [listened] [attentively] to the lecture)
- (S): The class
- (V): listened
- (adverb[manner]): attentively
- to the lecture
Remember that adverbs of manner describe the manner in which the verb acts. Adverbs of manner usually end in (- ly).
Avoid using an adjective instead of an adverb of manner. Avoid using an adverb of manner between the two words of an infinitive.
Examples:
Incorrect: After only six months in the United States, jack understood everyone (perfect).
Correct: After only six months in the United States, jack understood everyone (perfectly).
Incorrect: Please do (exact) as your doctor says.
Correct: Please do (exactly) as your doctor says.
Incorrect: From the top of the Empire State Building, tourists are able to (clearly) see New York.
Correct: From the top of the Empire State Building, tourists are able to see New York (clearly).
Incorrect: (Board) speaking, curriculum includes all experience which the student may have within the environment of the school.
Correct: (Boardly) speaking, curriculum includes all experience which the student may have within the environment of the school.
Incorrect: Passengers travel (comfortable) and safely in the new jumbo jets.
Correct: Passengers travel (comfortably) and safely in the new jumbo jets.
- (S): The class
- (V): listened
- (adverb[manner]): attentively
- to the lecture
Remember that adverbs of manner describe the manner in which the verb acts. Adverbs of manner usually end in (- ly).
Avoid using an adjective instead of an adverb of manner. Avoid using an adverb of manner between the two words of an infinitive.
Examples:
Incorrect: After only six months in the United States, jack understood everyone (perfect).
Correct: After only six months in the United States, jack understood everyone (perfectly).
Incorrect: Please do (exact) as your doctor says.
Correct: Please do (exactly) as your doctor says.
Incorrect: From the top of the Empire State Building, tourists are able to (clearly) see New York.
Correct: From the top of the Empire State Building, tourists are able to see New York (clearly).
Incorrect: (Board) speaking, curriculum includes all experience which the student may have within the environment of the school.
Correct: (Boardly) speaking, curriculum includes all experience which the student may have within the environment of the school.
Incorrect: Passengers travel (comfortable) and safely in the new jumbo jets.
Correct: Passengers travel (comfortably) and safely in the new jumbo jets.
Problems With Modifiers (6): Adjective With Verbs of the Senses.
([I] [felt] [bad] about the mistake)
- (S): I
- (V[sense]): felt
- (adjective): bad
- about the mistake
Avoid using an adverb instead of an adjective of the senses.
Remember that the following verbs are examples of verbs of the sense:
- feel
- look
- smell
- sound
- state
Examples:
Incorrect: We love to go to the country in the spring because the wild flowers (smell) so (sweetly).
Correct: We love to go to the country in the spring because the wild flowers (smell) so (sweet).
Incorrect: Although the medicine (tastes) (badly), it seems to help my condition.
Correct: Although the medicine (tastes) (bad), it seems to help my condition.
Incorrect: The meal (tasted) (well).
Correct: The meal (tasted) (good).
Incorrect: The music (sounds) (sweetly) and soothing.
Correct: The music (sounds) (sweet) and soothing.
Incorrect: When he complained that the food (tasted) (badly), the waiter took it back to the kitchen and brought him something else.
Correct: When he complained that the food (tasted) (bad), the waiter took it back to the kitchen and brought him something else.
- (S): I
- (V[sense]): felt
- (adjective): bad
- about the mistake
Avoid using an adverb instead of an adjective of the senses.
Remember that the following verbs are examples of verbs of the sense:
- feel
- look
- smell
- sound
- state
Examples:
Incorrect: We love to go to the country in the spring because the wild flowers (smell) so (sweetly).
Correct: We love to go to the country in the spring because the wild flowers (smell) so (sweet).
Incorrect: Although the medicine (tastes) (badly), it seems to help my condition.
Correct: Although the medicine (tastes) (bad), it seems to help my condition.
Incorrect: The meal (tasted) (well).
Correct: The meal (tasted) (good).
Incorrect: The music (sounds) (sweetly) and soothing.
Correct: The music (sounds) (sweet) and soothing.
Incorrect: When he complained that the food (tasted) (badly), the waiter took it back to the kitchen and brought him something else.
Correct: When he complained that the food (tasted) (bad), the waiter took it back to the kitchen and brought him something else.
Problems With Modifiers (5): Sufficiency for a Purpose.
([It] [is] [warm] [enough] [to go] swimming)
- (S): It
- (V): is
- (adjective): warm
- (enough): enough
- (infinitive): to go
- swimming
([It] [is] [not] [warm] [enough] [to go] swimming)
- (S): It
- (V): is
- (not): not
- (adjective): warm
- (enough): enough
- (infinitive): to go
- swimming
Avoid using (enough) before the adjective instead of after it. Avoid using (as) between (enough) and the infinitive.
Examples:
Incorrect: He little car isn't (big enough as) to seat more than two people comfortably.
Correct: He little car isn't (big enough) to seat more than two people comfortably.
Incorrect: That excuse isn't (enough good).
Correct: That excuse isn't (good enough).
Incorrect: He should be (as strong enough) to get out of bed in a few days.
Correct: He should be (strong enough) to get out of bed in a few days.
Incorrect: Billy isn't (enough old) to enlist in the army.
Correct: Billy isn't (old enough) to enlist in the army.
Incorrect: His score on the exam was (enough good) to qualify him for a graduate program.
Correct: His score on the exam was (good enough) to qualify him for a graduate program.
- (S): It
- (V): is
- (adjective): warm
- (enough): enough
- (infinitive): to go
- swimming
([It] [is] [not] [warm] [enough] [to go] swimming)
- (S): It
- (V): is
- (not): not
- (adjective): warm
- (enough): enough
- (infinitive): to go
- swimming
Avoid using (enough) before the adjective instead of after it. Avoid using (as) between (enough) and the infinitive.
Examples:
Incorrect: He little car isn't (big enough as) to seat more than two people comfortably.
Correct: He little car isn't (big enough) to seat more than two people comfortably.
Incorrect: That excuse isn't (enough good).
Correct: That excuse isn't (good enough).
Incorrect: He should be (as strong enough) to get out of bed in a few days.
Correct: He should be (strong enough) to get out of bed in a few days.
Incorrect: Billy isn't (enough old) to enlist in the army.
Correct: Billy isn't (old enough) to enlist in the army.
Incorrect: His score on the exam was (enough good) to qualify him for a graduate program.
Correct: His score on the exam was (good enough) to qualify him for a graduate program.
Problems With Modifiers (4): More Cause-and-Result.
(It was such a lovely day that we went out)
- (S): It
- (V): was
- (such): such
- (a): a
- (adjective): lovely
- (noun[singular]): day
- (that): that
- (S): we
- (V): went out
[OR]
(It was so lovely a day that we went out)
- (S): It
- (V): was
- (so): so
- (adjective): lovely
- (a): a
- (noun[singular]): day
- (that): that
- (S): we
- (V): went out
Avoid using (so) instead of (such) before (a). Avoid omitting (a) from the patterns.
([These] [are] [such] [long] [assignments] [that] [I] [can't finish] them)
- (S): These
- (V): are
- (such): such
- (adjective): long
- (noun[plural]): assignments
- (that): that
- (S): I
- (V): can't finish
- them
([This] [is] [such] [good] [news] [that] [I] [will call] them)
- (S): This
- (V): is
- (such): such
- (adjective): good
- (noun[non-count]): news
- (that): that
- (S): I
- (V): will call
- them
Avoid using (so) instead of (such).
Examples:
Incorrect: It was (so interesting book) that he couldn't put it down.
Correct: It was (such an interesting book) that he couldn't put it down.
[OR]
correct: It was (so interesting a book) that he couldn't put it down.
Incorrect: She is (such nice girl) that everyone likes her.
Correct: She is (such a nice girl) that everyone likes her.
[OR]
Correct: She is (such nice a girl) that everyone likes her.
Incorrect: We had (so a small lunch) that I am hungry already.
Correct: We had (such a small lunch) that I am hungry already.
[OR]
Correct: We had (so small a lunch) that I am hungry already.
Incorrect: That so many advances have been made in (so short time) is the most valid argument for retaining the research unit.
Correct: That so many advances have been made in (such a short time) is the most valid argument for retaining the research unit.
[OR]
Correct: That so many advances have been made in (so short a time) is the most valid argument for retaining the research unit.
Incorrect: It is (so nice weather) that I would like to go to the beach.
Correct: It is (such nice weather) that I would like to go to the beach.
- (S): It
- (V): was
- (such): such
- (a): a
- (adjective): lovely
- (noun[singular]): day
- (that): that
- (S): we
- (V): went out
[OR]
(It was so lovely a day that we went out)
- (S): It
- (V): was
- (so): so
- (adjective): lovely
- (a): a
- (noun[singular]): day
- (that): that
- (S): we
- (V): went out
Avoid using (so) instead of (such) before (a). Avoid omitting (a) from the patterns.
([These] [are] [such] [long] [assignments] [that] [I] [can't finish] them)
- (S): These
- (V): are
- (such): such
- (adjective): long
- (noun[plural]): assignments
- (that): that
- (S): I
- (V): can't finish
- them
([This] [is] [such] [good] [news] [that] [I] [will call] them)
- (S): This
- (V): is
- (such): such
- (adjective): good
- (noun[non-count]): news
- (that): that
- (S): I
- (V): will call
- them
Avoid using (so) instead of (such).
Examples:
Incorrect: It was (so interesting book) that he couldn't put it down.
Correct: It was (such an interesting book) that he couldn't put it down.
[OR]
correct: It was (so interesting a book) that he couldn't put it down.
Incorrect: She is (such nice girl) that everyone likes her.
Correct: She is (such a nice girl) that everyone likes her.
[OR]
Correct: She is (such nice a girl) that everyone likes her.
Incorrect: We had (so a small lunch) that I am hungry already.
Correct: We had (such a small lunch) that I am hungry already.
[OR]
Correct: We had (so small a lunch) that I am hungry already.
Incorrect: That so many advances have been made in (so short time) is the most valid argument for retaining the research unit.
Correct: That so many advances have been made in (such a short time) is the most valid argument for retaining the research unit.
[OR]
Correct: That so many advances have been made in (so short a time) is the most valid argument for retaining the research unit.
Incorrect: It is (so nice weather) that I would like to go to the beach.
Correct: It is (such nice weather) that I would like to go to the beach.
Problems With Modifiers (3): Modifiers of Cause in Clauses of Cause-and-Result.
([She] [got up] [so] [late] [that] [she] [missed] her bus)
- (S): She
- (V): got up
- (so): so
- (adverb): late
- (that): that
- (S): She
- (V): missed
- her bus
(The music was so loud that we couldn't talk)
- (S): The music
- (V): was
- (so): so
- (adjective): loud
- (that): that
- (S): we
- (V): couldn't talk
Avoid using (as) or (too) instead of (so). Avoid using (as) instead of (that).
Examples:
Incorrect: He is (so slow as) he never gets to class on time.
Correct: He is (so slow that) he never gets to class on time.
Incorrect: This suitcase is (as heavy that) I can hardly carry it.
Correct: This suitcase is (so heavy that) I can hardly carry it.
Incorrect: We arrived (so late as) Professor Hery had already called the roll.
Correct: We arrived (so late that) Professor Hery had already called the roll.
Incorrect: He drives (so fast as) no one likes to ride with him.
Correct: He drives (so fast that) no one likes to ride with him.
Incorrect: Preparing frozen foods is (too easy that) anyone can do it.
Correct: Preparing frozen foods is (so easy that) anyone can do it.
- (S): She
- (V): got up
- (so): so
- (adverb): late
- (that): that
- (S): She
- (V): missed
- her bus
(The music was so loud that we couldn't talk)
- (S): The music
- (V): was
- (so): so
- (adjective): loud
- (that): that
- (S): we
- (V): couldn't talk
Avoid using (as) or (too) instead of (so). Avoid using (as) instead of (that).
Examples:
Incorrect: He is (so slow as) he never gets to class on time.
Correct: He is (so slow that) he never gets to class on time.
Incorrect: This suitcase is (as heavy that) I can hardly carry it.
Correct: This suitcase is (so heavy that) I can hardly carry it.
Incorrect: We arrived (so late as) Professor Hery had already called the roll.
Correct: We arrived (so late that) Professor Hery had already called the roll.
Incorrect: He drives (so fast as) no one likes to ride with him.
Correct: He drives (so fast that) no one likes to ride with him.
Incorrect: Preparing frozen foods is (too easy that) anyone can do it.
Correct: Preparing frozen foods is (so easy that) anyone can do it.
Problems With Modifiers (2): Hyphenated Adjective.
Remember that it is common for a number to appear as the first in a series of hyphenated adjectives.
(Agriculture 420 is [a] [five] [-] [hour] [class])
- Agriculture 420 is
- (a): a
- (adjective): five
- (-): -
- (adjective): hour
- (noun): class
([A] [sixty] [-] [year] [-] [old] [employee] may retire)
- (a): A
- (adjective): sixty
- (-): -
- (adjective): year
- (-): -
- (adjective): old
- (noun): employee
- may retire
Avoid using a plural form for any of the adjectives joined by hyphens even when the noun is plural.
Examples:
Incorrect: (A three- minutes call) anywhere in the United States cost less than a dollar when you dial it yourself.
Correct: (A three- minute call) anywhere in the United States cost less than a dollar when you dial it yourself.
Incorrect: They have (a four-months-old baby).
Correct: They have (a four-month-old baby).
Incorrect: Can you make change for (a twenty-dollars bill?)
Correct: Can you make change for (a twenty-dollar bill?)
Incorrect: (A two-doors car) is cheaper than (a four-doors model).
Correct: (A two-door car) is cheaper than (a four-door model).
Incorrect: I have to write (a one-thousand-words paper) this weekend.
Correct: I have to write (a one-thousand-word paper) this weekend.
(Agriculture 420 is [a] [five] [-] [hour] [class])
- Agriculture 420 is
- (a): a
- (adjective): five
- (-): -
- (adjective): hour
- (noun): class
([A] [sixty] [-] [year] [-] [old] [employee] may retire)
- (a): A
- (adjective): sixty
- (-): -
- (adjective): year
- (-): -
- (adjective): old
- (noun): employee
- may retire
Avoid using a plural form for any of the adjectives joined by hyphens even when the noun is plural.
Examples:
Incorrect: (A three- minutes call) anywhere in the United States cost less than a dollar when you dial it yourself.
Correct: (A three- minute call) anywhere in the United States cost less than a dollar when you dial it yourself.
Incorrect: They have (a four-months-old baby).
Correct: They have (a four-month-old baby).
Incorrect: Can you make change for (a twenty-dollars bill?)
Correct: Can you make change for (a twenty-dollar bill?)
Incorrect: (A two-doors car) is cheaper than (a four-doors model).
Correct: (A two-door car) is cheaper than (a four-door model).
Incorrect: I have to write (a one-thousand-words paper) this weekend.
Correct: I have to write (a one-thousand-word paper) this weekend.
Problems With Modifiers (1): Nouns Which Function as Adjectives.
Remember that when two nouns occur together, the first noun describes the second noun; that is, the first noun functions as an adjective.
(All of us are foreign [languange] [teachers])
- All of us are foreign
- (noun): languange
- (noun): teachers
Avoid using a plural for the first noun even when the second noun is plural. Avoid using a possessive form for the first noun.
Examples:
Incorrect: May I borrow some (notebooks paper?)
Correct: May I borrow some (notebook paper?)
Incorrect: All (business' students) must take the Graduate Management Admission Test.
Correct: All (business students) must take the Graduate Management Admission Test.
Incorrect: I forgot their (telephone's number).
Correct: I forgot their (telephone number).
Incorrect: There is a sale at the (shoes store).
Correct: There is a sale at the (shoe store).
Incorrect: Put the mail on the (hall's table).
Correct: Put the mail on the (hall table).
(All of us are foreign [languange] [teachers])
- All of us are foreign
- (noun): languange
- (noun): teachers
Avoid using a plural for the first noun even when the second noun is plural. Avoid using a possessive form for the first noun.
Examples:
Incorrect: May I borrow some (notebooks paper?)
Correct: May I borrow some (notebook paper?)
Incorrect: All (business' students) must take the Graduate Management Admission Test.
Correct: All (business students) must take the Graduate Management Admission Test.
Incorrect: I forgot their (telephone's number).
Correct: I forgot their (telephone number).
Incorrect: There is a sale at the (shoes store).
Correct: There is a sale at the (shoe store).
Incorrect: Put the mail on the (hall's table).
Correct: Put the mail on the (hall table).
