Saturday, December 1, 2018

Beware of Creating Sweeping Generalizations





This is the third post in a series about the comparison of adjectives and adverbs. If you missed the first two posts, click here and here.


When using the superlative degree, it is important to avoid creating a sweeping generalization. A sweeping generalization creates a statement that is too broad. 


The superlative degree is created by adding est to some words, or adding the word most.
For example: happiest or most enjoyable


When you add est or use the word most, it is easy to create a sweeping statement that goes too far in its description.


Examples:

Sweeping Generalization: Benjamin Franklin was the most brilliant of all inventors.

Better: Benjamin Franklin was one of the most brilliant of all inventors.


Sweeping Generalization: Terry Bradshaw is the greatest of all quarterbacks in football history.
Better: Terry Bradshaw is considered by many to be one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history.


It's important not to get carried away with the superlative degree and say way more than you intended to say. Use qualifying words to make the superlative degree more acceptable.


Check back here often for more tips on grammar and usage.



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Thanks for reading,




Saturday, November 10, 2018

Avoid Comparing Adjectives That Are Absolute



Tips to avoid comparing adjectives that are absolute.

This post is a continuation of the tips I discussed in my last post about avoiding errors in adjective and adverb comparisons. Click here if you missed it.


Today, we are going to take a look at adjectives that are absolute in their meaning, and they cannot be compared by using the comparative or superlative degree. Absolute adjectives stand alone.


Usually, when two things are being compared we use the comparative degree. When more than two things are being compared, we use the superlative degree. Sometimes, however, the meaning of an adjective is absolute, and it cannot be compared.

Some examples of absolute adjectives include: absolute, round, straight, square, perfect, and unique.

Incorrect: My score on the exam was more perfect than anyone else’s.
Correct: My score on the exam was perfect.

Probably the most abused of these words is the adjective unique.
By definition it means there is only one of its kind, so it cannot be compared to another.

Incorrect: Your story was more unique than mine.
Correct: Your story was unique.

A less frequently used definition of the word unique is unusual. If, when you use the word unique, you mean that something is unusual, it is all right to compare it. It would be better, however, to simply use the word unusual.

For more information on the comparison of adjectives and adverbs, check back here soon. My next post will be tips to help you avoid using sweeping generalizations when making comparisons.  A sweeping generalization creates a statement that is too broad.

I hope you are having your best school year ever!

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Thanks for reading,


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Saturday, October 6, 2018

Tips on Using Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs



Tess's Tips: The correct us of comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs


Hopefully, this tip will help you avoid errors when you are using adjectives and adverbs to compare things.


We frequently use adjectives and adverbs to compare two or more things in our writing. When two things are being compared, use the comparative degree. When more than two things are being compared, use the superlative degree.


Some words use er and est to form the comparative and superlative degree.


Some words add the words more and most.
Negative comparisons use the words less and least.

Positive Degree      Comparative Degree       Superlative Degree


cheap                          cheaper                               cheapest

recent                         more recent                         most recent

expensive                   less expensive                      least expensive


The important thing is never to use both of these comparison words at the same time. In other words, do not use: er and more together; or est and most together.


Correct:  The older of my two sons is the one you met yesterday.
Incorrect:  The more older of my two sons is the one you met yesterday.


Correct:  The healthier you are, the better you look.
Incorrect:  The more healthier you are, the better you look.


If you are not sure of the correct spelling when writing a comparison structure, use a dictionary or look up the word online.


In my next post, I will discuss adjectives that are absolute and cannot be compared. 


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If your students need more help with modifiers, you will find it here.


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Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Here's Help with 5 Confusing Words




The words who's or whose and their, there, or they’re are frequently confused and used incorrectly. 

Here are some simple tips to help you use these words correctly.

Their means it belongs to them.
Example: I listen to their music.

There indicates a location. (Replace it with the similar word “where” to help you remember its meaning.)
Example: I am going there after school.

They’re is a contraction for the words they are.
(Read a contraction as two words.)
Example: They’re (They are) my parents.

Whose means it belongs to whom. 
Example: Whose coat is this?

Who’s is a contraction for the words who is. (Read a contraction as two words.)
Example: Who’s (Who is) coming with me tonight?

After you finish writing, search for the words above to be sure you have chosen correctly. 

Ask yourself these questions:
Do you mean “where?”  If so, choose “there.”
Do you mean “it belongs to them?” If so, choose “their.”
Do you mean “they are?” If so, choose “they're.”

Do you mean “who is?” If so, choose “who’s.”
Do you mean it belongs to whom? If so, choose “whose.”

The following sentences are correct:
Whose photos are posted there on the bulletin board? Who's going to write their names on the backs of the photos? They're going to be left of of the yearbook if we don't figure this out.

Click here to buy a set 5 of the task cards your students can use to review the use of these confusing words.

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* This blog post is updated to reflect the money-saving bundle that is now available.

         All the best,







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