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COMPARATIVE:nicerSUPERLATIVE:nicest2. Other adjectives form the comparative and superlativeby using more and most.'POSITIVE:challengingCOMPARATIVE;more challengingSUPERLATIVE:most challenging3. Some adjectives change completely as they form thecomparative and superlative degrees.POSITIVE:littlegoodCOMPARATIVE:lessbetterSUPERLATIVE:leastbestBe alert for double comparisons, which incorrectly usemore or most with adjectives that already express adegree: more softer or most strongest.INCORRECT:He was the most gentlest doctor I have ever seen.CORRECT:He was the gentlest doctor I have ever seen.Also, watch for the illogical use of the comparative orthe superlative with adjectives that cannot be compared,such as square, round, perfect, unique. It is meaninglessto write rounder or most perfect.When comparing only two nouns, use the comparativedegree: Mars is the larger of the two planets. When comparingmore than two, use the superlative: Canseco is themost dangerous hitter on their team,12C AdverbsAdverbs (either as words, phrases, or clauses) describethe words they modify by indicating when, how, where,why, in what order, or how often.WHEN:He studied until 10:00 every night.HOW:She testified quietly and with dignity.WHERE:Bring the paper here.WHY:They rejected the offer because it was too little.IN WHAT ORDER:One after another, the townspeople told the judgetheir story.NOTE:Anywheres, nowheres, and somewheres are incorrectadverb forms. Use anywhere, nowhere, somewhere.The adjectives good and bad should not be used asadverbs.NOTBUTShe doesn't sing so good.He wants that job bad.She doesn't sing so well.He wants that job badly.Standard English requires the use of a formal adverbform rather than a colloquial version.NOTBUTThis was a real good clambake.He sure doesn't look happy,This was a rea//ygood clambake.He surely doesn't look happy.12D Misplaced modifiersProbably the most persistent and frustrating errors in theEnglish language involve either incorrect modification orelse inexact modification that is difficult to pin down.In most cases, if you can keep your eye on the word orphrase being modified, it is easier to avoid the followingpitfalls.To avoid confusion or ambiguity, place the modifyingwords, phrases, or clauses near the words they modify.1. Misplaced Adverb ModifiersAdverbs like scarcely, nearly, merely, just, even, andalmost must be placed near the words they modify.CONFUSED:Last week during the cold spell, I nearly lost all ofmy flowers.CLEAR:Last week during the cold spell, I lost nearly all ofmy flowers. (The adverb nearly modifies thepronoun all.)CONFUSED:Acme just cleaned my rugs last month.CLEAR:Acme cleaned my rugs fust last month. [Theadverb just modifies the adverbial phrase lastmonth.)23