Adjectives
Words that describe things (nouns) are called adjectives.
OR
We regularly use adjectives to describe illness:
Common endings for medical adjectives are –able, -al, -ous, and –ic
Adjectives that compare
Adjectives have a root, a comparative form (= more or less than…) and a superlative form (the most or the least).
Examples of comparisons:
Other common adjectives and comparisons in healthcare:
Comparatives using ‘more’ and ‘the most’, ‘less’ and ‘the least’:
DESCRIBING ACTIONS
Adverbs
Words that describe how we do things, that is actions (verbs), are called adverbs.
Adverbs are usually formed with adjective+ –ly.
I can only stand up slowly…like this. (‘slowly’ describes ‘stand up’)
Some adjectives have irregular adverbs. Some adjectives have no adverb form. These you must simply learn.
Common adverbs in healthcare:
For common language patients use to describe how they feel, see Module 3 TUTORIAL I and APPENDIX 3.2