Adjective Notes
Definition:
• An adjective is a word that describes, modifies, or gives more information
about a noun or pronoun.
Functions of Adjectives:
1. Descriptive Adjectives: Describe the qualities or characteristics of a noun
(e.g., tall, blue, quick).
2. Quantitative Adjectives: Indicate the quantity of the noun (e.g., few, several,
many).
3. Demonstrative Adjectives: Point out specific nouns (e.g., this, that, these,
those).
4. Possessive Adjectives: Show ownership (e.g., my, your, his, her).
5. Interrogative Adjectives: Used to ask questions about nouns (e.g., which,
what, whose).
6. Distributive Adjectives: Refer to members of a group individually (e.g., each,
every, either, neither).
Types of Adjectives:
1. Comparative Adjectives: Used to compare two nouns, usually formed by
adding "-er" or using "more" (e.g., taller, more beautiful).
2. Superlative Adjectives: Used to compare three or more nouns, usually
formed by adding "-est" or using "most" (e.g., tallest, most beautiful).
Order of Adjectives:
When using multiple adjectives, they often follow a specific order:
1. Quantity or number
2. Quality or opinion
3. Size
4. Age
5. Shape
6. Color
7. Origin
8. Material
9. Purpose
Example: three beautiful large old round red wooden dining tables
Adjective Placement:
• Adjectives typically precede the nouns they modify (e.g., the red car).
• They can also follow linking verbs, acting as subject complements (e.g., The
car is red).
Examples:
• Descriptive: beautiful, large, bright
• Quantitative: many, few, several
• Demonstrative: this, that
• Possessive: my, our
• Interrogative: which, what
Tips:
• Be aware of the difference between adjectives and adverbs. Adjectives modify
nouns; adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
• Practice using adjectives to make your writing more vivid and descriptive.