Correct Use of Some Adjectives

Adjectives with verbs

An adjective can be used with a verb when some quality of the subject, rather than the action of the verb is to be expressed.
Read the sentences given below:

Roses smell sweet. (NOT sweetly)
Here what we are talking about is a particular quality of the subject (roses).
She looks smart. (NOT smartly)
The milk turned sour. (NOT sourly)
I feel sad. (NOT sadly)

Kind and Kinds

As a general rule the word kind is singular and should be used with that and this to modify a singular noun. Similarly, the word kinds is plural and should be used with these or those to modify a plural noun.

This kind of thing
These kinds of things
These sorts of apples
Those kinds of dogs

This rule, however, is not strictly followed. Expressions such as ‘this kind of things’ and ‘these kind of things’ are now used even by educated native speakers.

Comparison of Adjectives

When a comparison is made by means of a comparative followed by than, the thing that is compared must be excluded from the group of things with which it is compared. This is usually accomplished by using a word such as other.

Solomon was wiser than any other man. OR Solomon was wiser than all other men. (NOT Solomon was wiser than all men/any man.)

The Taj Mahal is more beautiful than all other mausoleums. OR The Taj Mahal is more beautiful than any other mausoleum.
The crocodile is larger than any other reptile. OR The crocodile is larger than all other reptiles.

When a comparison is made by means of a superlative, the thing that is compared must be a part of the group of things with which it is compared.

Solomon was the wisest of all men. (NOT … all other men.)
The crocodile is the largest of all reptiles. (NOT … all reptiles.)

Another very common error is exemplified in the following example:

Wrong: The population of Tokyo is greater than any other city in India.

The above sentence is wrong because it makes a comparison between the population of Tokyo and cities in India whereas the comparison should have been made between the population of Tokyo and the population of the cities in India.

Therefore we should say:
Right: The population of Tokyo is greater than that of any other city in India.

More examples are given below:

Incorrect: The quality of education provided by our school is better than any other school.
Correct: The quality of education provided by our school is better than that provided by any other school.