Editor's Corner

As promised, today I will review the second role that adverbs can play in grammar: adverbs modifying adjectives. Here are some examples of adverbs (in italics) modifying adjectives (in bold):

· She demonstrated an extremely warped sense of humor.

· Tim solved a horribly frustrating puzzle.

· I ate the deliciously crusty ciabatta.

· Sinbad’s foot touched a painfully sharp barnacle.

These adverbs must stay next to the adjectives they modify, unlike the adverbs that modified verbs. To test the phrase and figure out if the adverb is modifying an adjective, try reading the sentence with the adverb alone. It doesn’t work when you remove the adjective from the pair. For example:

· She demonstrated an extremely sense of humor.

· Tim solved a horribly puzzle.

· I ate the deliciously ciabatta.

· Sinbad’s foot touched a painfully barnacle.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory