Be prepared for the review quiz: nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs.
Adverbs -- Common List in American English
This is a selected set of adverbs for the beginning student to have a starter set to help further
describe actions. An ADVERB modifies a verb. It helps to tell "how," "when" or "where" the action took
place. I have used it by picking a verb such as ran in a sentence such as "She ran," "She lost" or "He
spoke." Students then must pick an adverb to add to the sentence such as "She ran yesterday" or "She
ran quickly to the store" or "She runs annually in the big race." This gives the student a chance to use
them in a sentence. An adverb can also modify another adverb. Such as "She ran very quickly to the
store."
afterwards
almost
always
badly
blindly
calml
clearly. cyorrectly
courageously
crossly
cruelly
far
fast
fatally
nearly
never
noisily
not
often
only
painfully
really
recklessly
regularly
sadly
safely
seldom
silently sleepily slowly smoothly softly solemnly sometimes soon speedily stealthily sternly
successfully suddenly suspiciously swiftly tenderly tensely thoughtfully tightly tomorrow too
truthfully unexpectedly very victoriously violently vivaciously warmly weakly wearily well wildly yearly
yesterday
ABSTRACT NOUNS
A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. However, in many cases,
the 'thing' might be an intangible concept – which means it is an abstract form of noun. In this
instance, abstract means to exist apart from concrete existence. A noun that is abstract is an aspect,
concept, idea, experience, state of being, trait, quality, feeling, or other entity that cannot be
experienced with the five senses.
Recognizing When a Noun is Abstract
Concrete nouns are people, places, or things that we d experience do with our five senses. The
abstract class is the opposite - we can never experience these nouns according to our senses. If a
noun describes something you can see, hear, touch, taste, or smell, it is not abstract.
Sometimes it can be difficult to recognize when the noun is abstract because there are a number of
words that can function in different ways. For example, some words might function as verbs in some
cases and abstract nouns in other cases. Check to see whether the word in question is expressing
action in some way or if it is a functioning as a 'thing.' Love and taste are two such examples. I love
my husband. [In this sentence, the word love expresses an action and is therefore acting
as a verb.]
Send them my love. [In this sentence, the word love functions as an abstract noun because it is a
thing that exists beyond the five senses.] Sarah could taste cilantro in the salsa. [In this sentence,
the auxilary verb 'could' functions with
taste to illustrate action. She can physically taste the salsa.] Sarah has great taste in clothes. [In
this sentence, taste functions in an abstract manner. Taste
refers to her preferences.]
Abstract nouns can be countable or non-countable (mass). They can also be in singular or
possessive form. These nouns follow the same grammar rules as other nouns.
Common Abstract Nouns
Emotions/Feelings:
Love, Hate, Anger, Peace, Pride, Sympathy
Bravery
Loyalty
Honesty
Integrity
Compassion
Charity
Success
Courage
Deceit
Skill
Beauty
Brilliance
Pain
Misery
Ideas/Concepts/Ideals
Beliefs
Dreams
Justice
Truth
Faith
Liberty
Knowledge
Thought
Information
Culture
Trust
Dedication
Movements/Events
Progress
Education
Hospitality
Leisure
Trouble
Friendships
Relaxation
Ellipsis…
An ellipsis (…) is used to show an ______________of words, sentences, or paragraphs from quoted
material. Ellipsis is typed or written as three spaced periods…
When words are ___________from a quoate, other punctuation is usually not needed one either side of
the ellipsis and should be omitted.
Omission of Words:
“I am afraid that the new vaccine, this concoction we hear about so often, might not eradicate some
of the most common diseases,” Said Dr. Lauten.
Shortened Version:
“I’m afraid that the new vaccine, this concoction… might not eradicated some of the most common
diseases,” said Dr. Lauten.
Good vs. Well
Use good as an adjective:
We played a good game. (Good gives more detail to the word game.
The movie sounded good in the review. ( Good gives more detail to movie.)
Use well as an adverb:
They played the game well. (Well tells how they played the game.)
She sings so well that they asked her to sing a solo. (Well tells how she sings.)
1. The old car held up fairly _____________.
2. Some of Mrs Hathaway's cooking tasted ________________.
3. Her clothes never fit her very ____________.
4. I had a _____________meeting with your English teacher.