Position of Adjectives.

There are normally two places where we can use an adjective:

1. before a noun

2. after a linking verb (appear, be, become, get, feel, look, seem, smell, sound, stay, remain, taste)

before a noun: after a linking verb

This is good coffee. The soup smells good.

This drink has a strange taste. This drink tastes strange.

It was a cold autumn. It is getting cold.

He got a terrible chance. Jane looked terrific.

Exercises

Ex. 1. Put the adjectives in brackets in the correct position.

1. A nose (red, large). 2. A film (American, old). 3. A ring (unusual, gold). 4. A house (modern, attractive). 5. Gloves (brown, leather). 6. A dress (ugly, pink). 7. A man (handsome, young). 8. A day (lovely, sunny). 9. A car (red, old, little). 10. A container (metal, small, black). 11. A village (old, little, lovely). 12. A cat (fat, white, big). 13. A picture (old, Dutch, interesting). 14. Hair (long, beautiful, dark). 15. A street (long, wide). 16. A shirt (cotton, new, grey). 17. A mansion (old, stone, English). 18. Eye-lashes (long, black, thick, nice). 19. A watch (gold, small, new, unusual). 20. A table (mahogany, beautiful, old, little, round).

Ex. 2. Translate into English.

1. Хлопчатобумажная рубашка; 2. Маленькая черная металлическая коробка; 3. Уродливое зеленое платье; 4. Красивые светлые длинные волосы; 5. Интересное старое французское полотно (картина); 6. Необычные золотые серьги ручной работы; 7. Незабываемое двухдневное путешествие на лодке; 8. Дорогой старый круглый дубовый стул ручной работы.

Ex. 3. Complete the following sentences with the given adjectives.

Awful, angry, fine, good, interesting, nervous, nice, sad, safe, slow, quiet, upset, wet.

1. Jamie sounded … when I spoke to him on the phone. 2. I can’t eat this I’ve just tried and it tastes … . 3. What beautiful flowers! They smell … too. 4. Evelin lived in the US for five years, so she can speak very … English. 5. Can you be …, please? I’m trying to concentrate. 6. I wasn’t very well yesterday but I feel … today. 7. You look … . Have you been out in the rain? 8. My friend told me about his new job last night. It sounded quite …, much better than his old job. 9. Don’t go up that ladder. It doesn’t look … . 10. Do you feel … before examinations? 11. Claire seemed … this morning. Do you know what was wrong? 12. Your brother looked … when I saw him lately. 13. Hurry up. You’re always so … .

Ex. 4. Supply adjectives or adverbs in the following sentences.

1. The child’s skin feels … . Everything went … . (smooth/smoothly) 2. You cook … Your cooking is … . (good/well) 3. The water smells … . The film ended … (bad/ badly) 4. She looked … . He answered … . (nice/nicely). 5. The company’s financial statement is not … at the moment. (good/well) 6. Give my best wishes to your wife. I hope she is … (good/well). 7. My sister is a … worker (hard/hardly).

Ex. 5. Translate the words in brackets.

1. What beautiful flowers. They (хорошо пахнут) too. 2. Jack read his new story to me. It (звучало интересно). I hope the editor will like it. 3. I can’t eat it. It (ужасно на вкус) and too much salt. 4. I wasn’t very well yesterday but today I (чувствую себя прекрасно). 5. Have you been out in the rain? You (выглядишь промокшим). 6. Ann (казалась печальной) yesterday. Do you know what had happened? 7. Do you (чувствуешь себя уставшим)?

Ex. 6. Translate into English.

1. Он зло посмотрел на него, когда я прервал его. 2. Пожалуйста, закрывай дверь тихо, ребенок спит. 3. Ты можешь быть хоть минутку спокойным? Я так устала, посиди спокойно. 4. Том прекрасно себя ведет и хорошо готовит. 5. Мне это не нравится, все это дело выглядит небезопасным. 6. Все волнения были позади. Он прибыл живым и здоровым. 7. Поторопись! Ты такой медлительный. 8. Суп вкусный (прекрасный на вкус). 9. Веди машину осторожно. Кажется, дорога очень скользкая. 10. Она выглядела печально; она печально смотрела на меня.

Ex. 7. Decide whether the following adjectives are qualitative or relative.

Woolen, young, wooden, Russian, silk, old, gold, beautiful, silver, easy, cotton, cold, comfortable, happy, big, plastic, small, great, leather, Persian.

Ex. 8. Give the comparative and superlative of the following adjectives.

Polite, happy, glad, complete, grey, honourable, shy, dry, free, recent, merry, uncomfortable, joyful, hot, thin, accurate, narrow, sweet, right, wicked, yellow, cozy, merciful, bad, fat, cheap, big, clumsy, stupid, far, miserable, virtuous, simple, regular, expensive, low, deep, sad, significant, bitter, intimate, lazy, old, serious, serious, tiny, clever, little, considerate, good, much, dark, beautiful, dear, fit.

Ex. 9. Write the comparative form of the adjectives in brackets to complete the following sentences.

1. This book is rather boring. I’d like to read a (interesting) one. 2. It’s a pity you live so far away. I wish you lived (near). 3. Jack is late. We expected him to be here (early). 4. This coat is too small. I need a (large) size. 5. The guest house was surprisingly cheap. We expected it to be much (expensive). 6. Your son is not keen on his studies. He’s (interested) in having a good time. 7. There were a lot of people on the bus. It was (crowded) than usual. 8. Your girl-friend looks (thin). Has she lost weight? 9. The children are making too much noise. Can they be a bit (quiet)? 10. The examination was (easy) than Max expected. 11. Don’t go by train. It’s (expensive). Let’s go by car. It’s (cheap). 12. I think we’ll resume the conversation when you’re a little (calm), Caroline. 13. Things went from bad to (bad). 14. To be ashamed of his own father is perhaps a (bitter) experience a young man can go through.

Ex. 10. Complete the following sentences using the comparative of the adjectives in brackets + than.

Example: My toothache is … it was yesterday. (painful) – My toothache is more painful than it was yesterday.

1. Was there anything in the world … indecision? (bad). 2. He was only five years … I was. (young). 3. The problem is not so complicated. It’s … you think. (simple). 4. Health and happiness are … money. (important). 5. Kate remembered the little general; he was a good deal … herself. (small). 6. It’s … in here … it is on the street. (hot). 7. Sorry, I’m late. It took me … to get here … I expected. (long). 8. All his life he took pains to be …, … his fellows. (strong, brave). 9. Mr. Micawber, under pretence of showing me a … way … that by which I had come, accompanied me to the corner of the street. (near). 10. We always go camping when we go on holiday. It’s much … staying in a hotel. (cheap). 11. I like the countryside. It’s … and … living in a town. (healthy, peaceful). 12. She looks about 30, but in fact she is much … she looks. (old). 13. His illness was … we at first thought. (serious).

Ex. 11. This exercise is similar to the previous one but this time you have to use a bit, a little, much, a lot, far. Use than where necessary.

Example: Let’s go by car. It’s … (much/cheap) – Let’s go by car. It’s much cheaper.

1. Mrs. Stuart looked about 70, but in fact she was … . (much/young). 2. It’s … to learn a foreign language in the country where it is spoken. (a lot/easy). 3. His illness was … we at first thought. (far/serious). 4. It’s noisy here. Can we go somewhere …? (a little/quiet). 5. The test appeared to be … Nick expected. (much/easy). 6. This flat is too small for my family. We need something … . (much/big). 7. Nelly looked depressed this morning but she looks … now. (a bit/happy). 8. It’s … today … it was yesterday. (a little/warm). 9. Sam prefers this armchair. He considers it … than the other ones. (much/comfortable). 10. I prefer to travel by plane. Of course, it’s more expensive than to travel by train but … . (much/quick). 11. “Did you enjoy your visit to the opera house?” – “Yes, I found it … I expected.” (far/interesting). 12. My toothache is … it was yesterday. (much/painful).

Ex. 12. Write the comparative of the irregular adjectives.

1. We’ve got (little) time than I thought. 2. The damage to our car wasn’t so bad. It could have been much (bad). 3. If you need any (far) information, do not hesitate to contact our head office. 4. The situation was much (bad) than we expected. 5. “Is your headache (good)?” – “No, it’s (bad).” 6. Helen’s younger sister is still at school. Her (old) sister is a doctor. 7. “Is Graham younger than Kenneth?” – “No, he’s (old).” 8. Things go from good to (good).

Ex. 13. Agree that you have experienced the same using the superlative degree of the adjectives.

Example: He’s a very rich man. – He’s the richest man I’ve ever seen.

1. Do you remember the meal we had last night? It was very bad, wasn’t it? 2. They served us very tough meat. 3. And our waiter was very rude. 4. And the music they played was terrible. 5. And they gave us a sour wine. 6. And the chair I was sitting on was very uncomfortable. 7. But the cabaret was very good, wasn’t it? 8. You know I set eyes on that tall blonde. She is a very beautiful girl. 9. But the bill they gave us was very large. 10. And later in the bar, the drinks were very expensive. 11. The restaurant and the bar were very noisy. Besides, they were overcrowded. 12. And the man that robbed me near my house is a very dangerous criminal. 13. To sum it up, the last night was horrible.

Ex. 14. Choose the right forms in these sentences. In some cases both forms are right.

1. Is the station much (further/farther)? 2. You’ll find the explanation (further/farther) on. 3. Your record is (worse/worst) than mine. 4. It’s the (less/lesser) of two evils. 5. She always wears the (last/latest) fashion. 6. We have no (further/farther) information. 7. It’s the (oldest/eldest) building in the city. 8. His (latest/last) words were: “The end”. 9. She is the (oldest/eldest) member of our family. 10. My flat is (littler/smaller) than yours. 11. I’ve got (less/lesser) patience than you. 12. He is much (older/elder) than his wife. 13. This is the (more/most) beautiful picture I’ve ever seen. 14. His English is (best/better) than mine. 15. She is (better/best) now. 16. It’s the (furthest/farthest) point west.

Ex. 15. Choose the correct form of the adjective.

1. Is your house much (farther, further)? 2. Who’s the (oldest, eldest) in this class? 3. Your driving is (worse, worst) than mine. 4. Have you heard the (last, latest) news? 5. His (last, latest) words were: “The end.” 6. My flat is (smaller, less) than yours. 7. I’ve got (smaller, less) money than you. 8. Jane is (older, elder) than I am. 9. His English is (better, best) than mine. 10. It’s the (better, best) costume in the shop. 11. It’s the (oldest, eldest) tree in the city. 12. She is my (older, elder) sister. 13. You’ve got the (more, most)! 14. Her accent is (worse, worst) than his. 15. He is (older, elder) than his sister. 16.Is there anything (farther, further) I can do for you? 17. This is the (oldest, eldest) church in the town. 18. How (far, farther) is it from here to Moscow? Only 20 kilometres by train; by bus it is much (farther, further). 19. Ours is the (last, latest) house in the street. 20. I wanted to get (farther, further) information about buses at the station. 21. Is there no (late, latter) news than last week’s? 22. My (older, elder) brother works at a plant. 23. He is the (oldest, eldest) member of the School Committee. 24. Jack is the (oldest, eldest) of my aunt’s 5 sons. 25. No (farther, further) reasons were given. 26. You must give the answer without (farther, further) delay. 27. Our house is (nearest, next) to the post office. 28. The (latest, last) time I saw him, he was in high spirits. 29. We expect to get the (latest, last) news in 2 hours. 30. This is the (nearest, next) shop to my house. 31. The (next, nearest) post office is one kilometers from here. 32. Today is the (latest, last) day for returning books. 33. Have you seen the (last, latest) edition of the dictionary?

Ex. 16. Write a new sentence with the same meaning. Use a superlative each time and begin each sentence as shown.

Example: I’ve never had such a good friend as you. You … . – You are the best friend I’ve ever had.

1. I’ve never had such a big meal. It’s … . 2. I’ve never heard such a funny story. That’s … . 3. Don’s never made such a silly mistake. It’s … . 4. I haven’t tasted such good coffee for a long time. That’s …. 5. I’ve never met such a gifted student. He’s … . 6. Roy hasn’t had to make such a difficult decision for years. This is … . 7. He says he has never met such a generous person as Sibyl. Sibyl is … . 8. I’ve never had such a bad experience before. It’s … . 9. I’ve never bought such a valuable painting. It’s … . 10. I haven’t had such a delicious meal for a long time. That was … .

Ex. 17. Respond to the following statements using the superlative of the adjectives.

Example: You’ve got a rich collection of paintings. This one by Titian is quite valuable. What about the painting by Rafael? – The painting by Rafael is the most valuable in my collection.

1. England’s football teams are well-known. Arsenal is famous. What about Manchester United? 2. All these people are poor. Bill has got little money. What about Ted? 3. We’ve got three cars. The red one is quite powerful. What about the black one? 4. This is a lazy group of workmen, but Bob is a hard worker. What about David? 5. We’ve visited some castles in Eritain. The one in Berwick is rather old. What about the castle in Tantalon? 6. We’ve got a very good basketball team, but Evans is a bad player. What about Ford? 7. This is a very bad class, but Paul is a good student. What about Hew? 8. We’ve got a good army, but Martin isn’t a skilful soldier. What about Phil? 9. These four video cassettes are all boring. Cassette 1 is rather boring. What about cassette 3? 10. These young people are all intelligent. Kate is very intelligent. What about Nicky? 11. The buildings in the street I live are rather old. The buildings next to my house is ancient. What about the building at the end of the street? 12. Everybody considers Ford a fast car. What about Jaguar?

Ex. 18. Complete the following sentences using as…as with adjectives in brackets.

Example: Let’s walk. It’s … taking the bus. (quick). – Let’s walk. It’s as quick as taking the bus.

1. His voice sounded … music. (sweet). 2. Why did he get the job? I’m … him. (well-qualified). 3. You won’t find a cheaper hotel round here. They’ll all be … this one. (expensive). 4. I’m going to sleep on the floor. It’s … sleeping in that bed. (comfortable). 5. There’s no choice for you to get to town. The way through Calver is … the way through Bakewell. (difficult). 6. I thought you were nice but you are … everybody else. (bad). 7. The talk to Henry was … all the previous ones. (useless). 8. David still believes that his friends are … as mine. (good and reliable). 9. I’m not surprised that Antony is … his father in his early days. 10. I was absolutely sure that a Toyota was … a Ford. (powerful).

Ex. 19. Compare objects using either as…as or so…as in the negative sentences.

Example: I’m quite tall but you are taller. – I’m not as/so tall as you.

1. The weather is still unpleasant today but two days ago it was worse. 2. He is well in his fifties but his wife is young, about 30. 3. My salary is high but yours is higher. 4. I know Pete was a bit nervous before the interview but usually he’s a lot more nervous. 5. The Williams are rich, they’ve got much money. But the Smiths are richer as they’ve got more money. 6. I wish I had money enough to buy this grey car. But the blue one is cheaper. 7. This year is better for the company, but last year was very bad. 8. Oxford is ten miles farther from London than Cambridge. 9. Australia is large but Africa is larger. 10. The Black Sea is warm but the Caribbean is warmer.

Ex. 20. Use the required form of the adjective in the following sentences.

1. The sound grew (faint) and (faint). 2. He’s a far (intelligent) person than my brother. 3. She was the (practical) of the family. 4. He thought how much (advanced) and broad-minded the (young) generation was. 5. I wanted to ask you both what you thought of my (late) film if you saw it. 6. The first edition of the dictionary is (good), the new one is still (good). 7. He turned out to be (angry) than I had expected. 8. Today I’m no (wise) than yesterday. 9. The (much) we go into the matter, the much (complex) it becomes. 10. Jack is the (clever) of the three brothers. 11. They are (good) people, far (good) than you. 12. He felt (bad) yesterday than the day before. 13. The (near) house is 3 miles away. 14. He was the (late) man to come. 15. The (long) the night, the (short) the day. 16. He is the (tall) of the two. 17. She is (amusing) in a small company. 18. My brother is much (young) than me. 19. They got down to business without (far) delay. 20. This problem is as (serious) as the others. 21. That was his (clever) step. 22. He always chooses (easy) way. 23. Which is (high) mountain in the world? 24. Davy was (talented) of the two brothers. 25. This walk towards them was (courageous) act of Jolyon’s life.

Ex. 21. Translate into English.

1. Сегодня погода была не такой хорошей как вчера. 2. Я слышал оба доклада, первый был значительно интереснее второго. 3. Этот перевод труднее того. 4. Чем больше он старался, тем больше ошибок он делал. 5. Это самая большая квартира в нашем доме. 6. Это кратчайший путь до озера. 7. Его старшая дочь работает теперь в нашей компании. 8. Сегодня так же жарко, как вчера. 9. Вчера было намного холоднее, чем сегодня. 10. Он такой же сильный, как его брат. 11. Директор хотел видеть вас для дальнейших объяснений. 12. Это лучшая комната в нашей квартире, она гораздо больше и светлее остальных. 13. Он больше занят, чем ты. 14. Этот год был для нас самым трудным. 15. Ты читал его последнюю статью? 16. Чем больше мы читаем, тем больше мы знаем о нашем мире. 17. В прошлом году зима была не такая холодная как в этом. 18. Ты такая же красивая как и твоя мать. 19. Чем интереснее книга, тем быстрее я ее читаю. 20. Мне гораздо легче знать правду.

Ex. 22. Open the brackets, choosing the correct form of the adjective.

1. He’s a far (intelligent) person than my bother. 2. She was the (practical) of the family. 3. He felt (bad) yesterday than the day before. 4. This wine is the (good) I’ve ever tasted. 5. Jack was the (tall) of the two. 6. Jack is the (clever) of the three brother. 7. If you need any (far) information, please contact our head office. 8. Do you have to wear these old jeans, Mike? Can’t you dress (smart). 9. The sinking of the “Titanic” is one of (famous) shipwreck stories of all time. 10. Please, send the books back without (far) delay. 11. The deposits of oil in Russia are by far the (rich) in the world. 12. Could you come a bit (early) tomorrow? 13. This song is (good) than the previous one. 14. Which of these two performances did you enjoy (much)?

Ex. 23. Open the brackets according to the model.

e.g. Their house is … (old) in the village.

Their house is the oldest in the village.

The life in a big city is a lot … (exciting) in the country.

The life in a big city is a lot more exciting than in the country.

1. Dina has got 2 brothers & a sister, but she’s (young). 2. Mike got the job because he is (experienced) the other candidates. 3. My new house is (far) away from the bus station than my old one. 4. He played tennis (well) his opponent & won the set. 5. He likes to live in the countryside because the air is (clean) in the city. 6. The president’s speech was much (long) I thought it would be. 7. Of the 2 evils choose (little). 8. This is (funny) joke I’ve ever heard. 9. If you need any (far) information, call the office. 10. This year, fashionable clothes are (colorful) they were last year. 11. This is (silly) excuse you’ve ever given me. 12. Mrs. Bailey is (experienced) teacher in our school.

Ex. 24. Open the brackets.

1. The Pan-American Highway is (long) in the world. 2. The Beatles were (successful) pop group. 3. Japan has (crowded) railway in the world. 4. This is our (old) national airline. 5. The Chrysler Building was once (tall) in the world. 6. Is English (useful) language to learn? 7. This is one of (expensive) stores in the city. 8. The Queen must be (rich) woman in the world. 9. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard (late) news. 10. His house is (far) in the street. 11. February is (snowy) & (cold) month of the year. 12. (dangerous) spider is the black widow, whose bite can kill a man in a few minutes. 13. That is (incredible) story I’ve ever heard. 14. It is not always (bright) students who do well in tests. 15. Which is (deep), Lake Michigan or Lake Superior? 16. She is far (self-confident) than she used to be. 17. I want to buy a car-(powerful) one you have. 18. There is nothing (irritating) than locking yourself out of your own house. 19. Both roads lead to the city centre, but the left-hand one is probably a bit (short) & (direct). 20. The boys in our school are much (good-looking) & a lot (good) at football than the boys in other schools in the town.

Ex. 25. Open the brackets.

1. The 22 of December is (short) day in the year. 2. Elbrus is (high) peak in the Caucasian mountains. 3. His plan is (practical) one of all our plans. 4. His plan is (practical) than mine. 5. This room is (small) than all the rooms in the house. 6. London is (large) city in Europe. 7. Silver is (heavy) than copper. 8. This wall is (low) than that one. 9. The Volga is (long) river in Europe. 10. This exercise is (good) than the last one. 11. My cigarettes are (bad) than yours. 12. I’ve got (far) information on this matter. 13. The Thames is (wide) & (deep) than the Avon. 14. I bought (late) edition of today’s paper. 15. The 2 men are sitting at the bar. The one (near) to me is (big) & (strong) man I’ve ever seen. The one (far) from me is the (small) & (weak) one. 16. This is her (good) answer. 17. Iron is (useful) than any other metal. 18. It’s (late) than I thought. 19. The car seems (bad) than yesterday.

Ex. 26. Give the correct form of the adjectives.

1. She is (young) than Ann. 2. This film is much (good). 3. He speaks English (bad) than I do. 4. In spring the weather is (warm) than in winter. 5. I am not so (busy) as my mother. 6. Is the Arctic Ocean (cold) in the world? 7. Which book is (interesting)? 8. This problem is (difficult) than yours. 9. My box isn’t as (heavy) as yours. 10. These exercises are (easy) than in the book. 11. Which house is (high) in your street? 12. To fly is (quick) than to go by car. 13. Whose child is (old) than mine? 14. This example is (simple) of all. 15. He isn’t so (stupid) as your brother is. 16. Which country is (beautiful)? 17. In this town the streets are (narrow) than in mine. 18. Your cat is (fat) I’ve ever seen. 19. Is August (hot) month of the year? 20. She is (attentive) child in her class. 21. My (old) sister is 2 years (old) than I. 22. What’s (near) station?

Ex. 27. Translate into English.

1. Мой отец был старшим сыном в семье. 2. Знаете ли вы последние новости? 3. Это здание не самое высокое в городе. 4. Этот путь короче, давай выберем его. 5. Это самый трудный вопрос по этой теме. 6. Ваш брат старше вас?- Нет, он на 3 года моложе меня. 7. Он самый счастливый человек на свете. 8. Эта статья интереснее моей? 9. Он самый талантливый из молодых художников. 10. Ваша проблема гораздо сложнее моей. 11. Эта аудитория меньше нашей. 12. Ваш доклад был гораздо интереснее его доклада. 13. Жизнь не так трудна, как вам кажется. 14. Ваш чемодан гораздо тяжелее моего. 15. Он чувствовал себя все лучше и лучше. 16. Она была гораздо моложе своей сестры. И менее серьезна. 17. Это крайне важный вопрос. 18. Чем больше я общаюсь с ней, тем больше она мне нравится. 19. Она примерила два своих платья и надела самое нарядное. 20. Он осмотрел все компьютеры и купил самый современный. 21. Последний поезд прибывает в полночь. 22. Они получили дополнительные сведения по этому вопросу. 23. Последние известия были совсем неинтересные. 24. Это дерево в два раза выше того. 25. Вам нравится этот пиджак? – Да, но он в три раза дороже того. 26. Чем внимательнее вы будете делать домашнее задание, тем меньше ошибок вы сделаете.