1. Sample Handmade Responses
to Hale’s Sin and Syntax,
Chapters 4-5, Adjectives and Adverbs
with corresponding citations from the chapter
Angelo State University
English 4361: English Grammar
Dr. Laurence Musgrove
Department of English and Modern Languages
January 28, 2013
www.theillustratedprofessor.com
@lemusgro

2. “Don’t slap on an adjective that merely repeats what the noun or verb makes
obvious” (81). “Watch for adverbs that merely repeat the meaning of the
verb” (91).

3. “If you use ‘many’ with a word, use ‘fewer’ with the same word…; if you use
‘much’ with a word, use ‘less’ ….” (84).

4. “Adjectives are consorts, never attending a party alone, preferring to hook themselves
on the arm of a sturdy noun” (75). “Adverbs are more promiscuous than adjectives.
They partner loosely, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs” (88).

5. “Adjectives are consorts, never attending a party alone, preferring to hook themselves
on the arm of a sturdy noun” (75). “Adverbs are crashers in the syntax house party.
More often than not, they should be deleted when they sneak in the back door” (90).

6. “Placement is more important than you might think. Sleep deprivation may
cause us to ask for ‘a hot cup of coffee’ when what we really want is ‘a cup of
hot coffee’” (77).

7. “that’s the alchemy of adjectives: boiling down excess ideas to the essence of a
thing, with words that surprise” (80).