Adjectives and adverbs are the storytellers of the language:
nouns, pronouns and verbs tell the enquirer the plain facts of the matter,but these people embellish the tale and add a bit of spice to life.
The English language is particularly rich in words which have almost the same meaning - 'tis the subtle differences that make all the difference.
For example, the writer of these notes is over 60 years of age
This short exercise indicates the power of adjectives and adverbs - they illustrate your writings with imaginative pictures, making the reader conjure up an impression of your subject which will vary according to the words you choose. [Recall the notes on commnication - the aim is to do just this.]
Adverbs do the same job for verbs - the chairwoman speaks quickly, fluently, stammeringly, incoherently, like a drunken drongo, off the top of her head........ depending on how you wish her speaking to be depicted. Adjectives describe her adverbs describe what she does. Use a thesaurus to help you choose words which say precisely what you mean, and remember that many adverbs end in ly.
Because their purpose is to create imaginative pictures, you should be careful when your writing or speaking has to be objective - barristers may use subjective language to persuade a jury, but much business writing should be in plain talk! Then again, read any novel and ask if you could descibe the characters and their actions as well as the authors do.
Adjectives and adverbs have three forms, used for 1,2, or more of a kind, and sensible people make sure they use the the right form. Is iron the heaviest of two metals? Why not? Do we say that Frieda Splatz wrote her better play when she was young? Why not? [These forms are known as positive, comparative and superlative.]
Can you do gooder than someone else in the exams? A slight problem is created because some adjectives and adverbs are similar. Why should you say : She did really well in her exams?
adjective = good better best = description of a person or object
adverb = well better best = description of an action
Check in one of the books of reference.if you are not sure
The most important points are:
a. Adjectives tell us more about nouns and pronouns.
b. Adverbs tell us more about verbs.
c. A thesaurus helps us to find the most appropriate word.
d. Do not use an adjective when an adverb is required.
e. Use the appropriate form of the word
Prepositions are the little words which are used to join nouns and pronouns to the rest of the sentence:
e it me wiv an ammer give it to im arry
Conjunctions are words which are used to join sentences together:
e it me on me ed and ran awaygive it to im arry but don't tell me old lady
Simple though you may think these chaps to be, they do have their uses and you have to be careful to choose the right one, otherwise the others will go on strike:
We wait for people
People die of diseases
I plan to go to Brisbane (not 'on going to')
Builders comply with regulations
Similarly, the use of the correct conjunction serves as a transitional device to carry the reader smoothly through whatever you write or speak. Here are some examples of conjunctions which join your thoughts together; see which best fits the accompanying sentence and ask yourself how the meaning of the sentence [and maybe its punctuation] changes with each one:
however, moreover, although, nevertheless, thus,therefore, because, consequently, meanwhile.
He was sick before exams; ......, he failed his course.
Nouns, pronouns and verbs tell the reader who is doing what to whom;
adjectives and adverbs add spice to the story, and
prepositions and conjunctions serve as linking devices to help make your work read smoothly.
There is, of course, far more to the story of grammar than this. Do not be afraid to take an interest in your language and be proud that you can write it correctly when you have to. Keep some of those reference books close by you, and make sure you get your money's worth out of them ! The ones I use are pretty ancient but I still refer to them on occasions - even if you cannot find them in bookshops any longer, the titles will give you an idea of what to look for.
Some agencies, particularly newspapers, have their own style guides, and these are now becoming available on the Internet. Look up style guide on your search engine, bearing in mind that many will be for writing Web sites.
Anon. Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers. [Fourth Ed] Canberra, AGPS, 1988.
Anon. The Right Word at the Right Time. London, Readers Digest, 1985.
Bate D. Essay Method and English Expression. Sydney, Harcourt Brace Jovanovitch,1979.
Bryson B. The Penguin Dictionary of Troublesome Words. Harmondsworth, Penguin, 1984.
Fowler HW. A Dictionary of Modern English Usage. Oxford, Clarendon, 1961.
Mansell T. How to Write Business Letters and Reports. Melbourne, Pitman, 1986.
Partridge E. Usage and Abusage, a Guide to Good English. London, Hamish Hamilton,1947.
Pearsall TE & Cunningham DH. How to Write for the World of Work. NY, Holt Rinehart & Winston, 1982.
Sadler RK & Tucker K. Common Ground. Melbourne, Macmillan, 1981.
Vallence KE & McWiliam T. Communication That Works. Melbourne, Thomas Nelson, 1987.
Van Alstyne JS. Professional and Technical Writing Strategies. Englewood Cliffs, Prentice-Hall, 1986.