Mind Our English

Grammar couplets

IT’S common for an adverb to modify a verb:
The old pedestrian waited patiently on the kerb.

An adverb can modify an adjective:
My new boss is incredibly vindictive.

It’s interesting when an adverb modifies another adverb:
When the clerk finished the job very quickly, her boss said, “Superb!”

Sometimes an adverb modifies the whole sentence:
Unfortunately, he showed no real repentance.

To complete the lesson, an adverb can also modify a gerund:
Walking briskly is my kind of exercise – when I’m out on an errand.

“You are correct,” says Mr Brown.
“A gerund is a type of noun.”

“My dear, your modifier is out of place;
I can picture the look on your teacher’s face!”

There is an apple and an orange on the table.
Changing is to are will make the sentence “unstable”!

When you choose a strong verb or noun,
An adjective begins to frown!

Flock is a collective noun, and so is pride,
But you should cast waste-paper basket aside!