Page 59 - IELTS Preparation Grammar and Vocab

Adverbs and adjectives 7

Some adjectives have both gradable and non-gradable uses:
some (e.g. common) have gradable and non-gradable uses with different meanings:
Bard reth isn't a very common surname. (gradable: common = frequent)
Elsa and my mother have certain common characteristics. (non-gradable common = similar)
some (e.g. diplomatic) have wadable and non-gradable uses with related meanings:
You're being very diplomatic (gradable because it refers to the quality the person has)
He worked as the diplomatic correspondent of a national newspaper. (non-gradable because it refers to the
type of correspondent he is)

lea Patterns after adjectives
When an adjective comes after a linking verb, we can use a number of patterns after the adjective, including a
to-infinitive or an -ing form:
I was unwilling to leave teaching
It felt fantastic having my first book published.
Some of my close friends thought I was mad to give up my job. or... was mad giving up my job.
Many adjectives can be followed by a that-clause, including some that can also be followed by a to-infinitive or
an -ing form:
I was aware that needed rest.
I was greatly relieved that my subsequent books sold quite well. or ... was greatly relieved to find ...
I felt bad that I was leaving the children or I felt bad leaving ...

Grammar exercises

lagl Complete the sentences by writing the words in brackets in the correct order. Give alternatives
where possible.
the stairs auistig
1 Not wanting to wake the children, I climbed
. (quietly - stairs - the)
2 She her parents. (ever - hardly - visits)
3 at me. (angrily - shout - to)
When I bumped into his car, he began
4 Juan thinks we should sell our car and buy bikes instead, and
with him.
(absolutely - agree - I)
5 and should be home at
Natalie is on a working holiday in New Zealand. She
the end of June. (last - left - week)
6
for a meal after work to catch up on news. (go - occasionally - we)
7 We
to see a film. (so - out - seldom)
8 . (loudly - singing - started)
As I walked out of the room she

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