Common mistake Use an adverb or a compound adjective, not an adjective

Common Mistake: Using an Adjective Instead of an Adverb or Compound Adjective

One of the most common grammar mistakes is using an adjective instead of an adverb or a compound adjective. While this might seem like a minor error, it can significantly impact the clarity and accuracy of your writing. Let's take a closer look at this mistake and how to avoid it.

Understanding the Difference

First, let's clarify the difference between adjectives, adverbs, and compound adjectives.

Adjectives: Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns. They provide more information about the quality, quantity, or state of an object or entity. For example, in the sentence "She has a beautiful voice," the word "beautiful" is an adjective that describes the quality of the voice.
Adverbs: Adverbs, on the other hand, modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They provide more information about the manner, time, place, degree, or frequency of an action or description. In the sentence "She sings beautifully," the word "beautifully" is an adverb that describes how she sings.
Compound Adjectives: Compound adjectives are formed by combining two or more words to create a single adjective. These words are often hyphenated. For example, in the sentence "He drives a fast-paced car," the phrase "fast-paced" is a compound adjective that describes the car's speed and style.

The Common Mistake

The mistake occurs when writers use an adjective instead of an adverb or a compound adjective. This error can lead to confusion or misinterpretation of the intended meaning.

Here are a few examples of this common mistake:

Incorrect: She speaks loud when giving presentations.
Correct: She speaks loudly when giving presentations.
Incorrect: The car ran quick on the racetrack.
Correct: The car ran quickly on the racetrack.
Incorrect: He writes beautiful in his diary.
Correct: He writes beautifully in his diary.

As you can see, in each of these examples, the adjective is used instead of the correct adverb or compound adjective. By using the correct form, the sentence becomes clearer and more accurate.

How to Avoid the Mistake

To avoid this common mistake, follow these guidelines:

Identify the word that needs modification (verb, adjective, or adverb).
If it's an adjective, determine if it should be an adverb or a compound adjective.
If it should be an adverb, add the appropriate adverb suffix, typically "-ly."
If it should be a compound adjective, combine the necessary words with a hyphen.
Proofread your writing to ensure that you've used the correct form.

Linguix grammar checker: To help catch these mistakes and improve the quality of your writing, you can use the Linguix grammar checker. It detects and suggests corrections to common grammar errors, including the inappropriate use of adjectives instead of adverbs or compound adjectives.

By being mindful of this common mistake and using the correct forms, you can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. Remember to proofread your work and use tools like Linguix to ensure that your writing is error-free and communicates your ideas effectively.

Use an adverb or a compound adjective, not an adjective mistake examples

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She is a very refined lady.
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I would like to try the blue striped skirt.
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Slow roasted ribs are awesome!
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The frequent ordered dish.
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Special terminology used by selected individuals.
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Tom felt cold.
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This is much less saturated fat.
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Lossless compressed audio format.
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... and the 2nd mixed group can do the task next week.
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He looked tired then.
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One stayed and the other went away.
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He put great emphasis on spoken English.
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At the time, NASA called it the most successful manned flight ever achieved.
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Tom decided to say nothing until everyone else had given their opinions.
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There was danger lest the secret become known.
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A lofty isolated ridge formed its acropolis.
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There is no satisfying spoiled children.
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... another literary forerunner was an epic written by Hellanicus of Lesbos...
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The assignment was described as not being a good fit in either direction.
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The centrepiece of the exhibit is a suspended mounted Blue Whale skeleton, gleaned from the...
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The foundation is an independent registered charity funded by the entire profits of ...
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He was a little upset due to ...
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They were a group called Pariahs.
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He was last seen taken care of by his mother.
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It was this one entitled kid.
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It was a snow-white padded walling.
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There was a pandemic called COVID-19.
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There is an animal called seal which has ...
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There is a device called computer which has many complex parts.
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This could be a good fit once we have statistics.
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There is a fluid called sebum.
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It is the bright LED light in the basement.
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There is no color left now.
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They are the on extended sabbaticals.
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... to finance the government, to be the sole authorised distributor of banknotes, and to function as...
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Cicero successfully made him appear to be a foreign freed man who was devious enough to take advantage...
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...to see if there is a previous established consensus or compromise.
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It's a popular common used tool.
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Sorry sir, this frequent ordered dish is sold out today.
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A spelling error can reliable be detected.
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The initial installed software is working.

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It's a popular common used tool for spammers.
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It is a popular commonly used tool for spammers.
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One of the first actors is believed to be an ancient Greek called Thespis of Icaria.
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There are a few known written works by Augustus that have survived.
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... there won't be a single building left standing.
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He was the only one left standing.
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It's a coastal city situated close to the island.
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It was the first intelligent LED display.

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The initial installed software is working.
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The initially installed software is working.

Correct:
Barbecue Chicken Sandwich is one of the most frequent ordered dishes.
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... and thus being one of the most unusual complicated rules I have tried to make is not easy.
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Barbecue Chicken Sandwich is one of the most frequently ordered dishes.
Correct:
Siu Yoke is one of the most well loved and frequent ordered meals in our restaurant.

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