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      Note

      Use the following combination to emphasize the inevitable consequence in degree change of comparative adjectives.

      The adjective-er, the adjective-er

      The more adjective, the more adjective

      The sweeter products are, the unhealthier they are.

      The more luxurious goods are, the more expensive they are.

      Superlative Degree of Adjectives

      The superlative degree demonstrates differences among three or more objects.

      1) Superiority

      – Most one- and two-syllable adjectives form the comparative degree by adding – est ending.

      the adjective + – est

      clever – the cleverest, dull – the dullest, large – the largest, weak – the weakest, young – the youngest

      – Several two-syllable adjectives and all three- (and more) syllable adjectives form the comparative degree with most.

      the most + adjective

      the most expensive, the mostfamous, the most important, the most interesting, the most profitable, the most somber, the most useful

      2) Inferiority

      the least + adjective

      the least busy, the least clever, the least hot, the least expensive, the least famous, the least important, the least interesting

      The least strong cheese will do for this sort of wine.

      What are the least prestigious jobs?

      

      

RULE 10. Substantivized Adjectives

      Substantivized Adjectives

      the + adjective

      1) substantivized adjectives denote a whole class of persons characterized by a specific feature. In most cases such adjectives agree with a plural verb.

      the elderly, the handicapped, the lonely, the needy

      Olivia's aunt works in school for the blind.

      The rich also cry.

      2) substantivized adjectives may as well refer to the whole nation.

      the Japanese, the English, the Dutch

      The ancient Chinese first invented paper.

      The Welsh try to preserve their language and culture.

      3) A number of substantivized adjectives even take the plural ending – s, which let them pass into the category of nouns.

      the marines, the moderns, the nobles, the regulars, the Russians

      The Conservatives are leading in the polls.

      If you want to see the true measure of a man, watch how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.

      4) substantivized adjectives indicate abstract notions. such adjectives agree with a singular verb.

      the future, the past, the present, the plural, the singular, the unknown, the unreal, the variable, the visible

      The obvious is fabulous, but the fabulous is obvious.

      You should use the Future Simple in this sentence.

RULE 11. Syntactic Functions of Adjectives

      Syntactic Functions of Adjectives

      1. Attribute

      We liked that warm meeting.

      I hear some pleasant music.

      Note

      There is a particular order for adjectives to describe a noun.

      Opinion – Size – Shape – Colour – Pattern – Age

      – Origin – Material – Purpose + Noun

      a clever young British professor

      two nice tiny round black old metal musical boxes

      that beautiful swift white new sailing boat

      2. Predicate

      The meeting was warm.

      Your mother looks sad.

      I feel good about the offer.

      A predicate adjective follows a linking verb (to be, to seem, to appear, to look, to taste, to smell, to feel, to sound), but it refers to the subject of the sentence.

      3. Subject and Object (Substantivized adjectives)

      The unemployed demanded concrete programs of public works.

      The young should help the old.

RULE 12. Cardinal and Ordinal Numerals

      

      

      

RULE 13. Fractional Numerals. Operations with Numerals

      Fractional Numerals

      Common fraction

      The numerator is a cardinal number; the denominator is an ordinal number.

      1/2 – one (a) half

      1/3 – one (a) third

      1/4 – one (a) quarter

      1/5

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