ADJECTIVE

An adjective is a word that describes a noun or pronoun such as person, place,

thing, or idea. It is often used to make the noun or pronoun more definite by describing it
in some way. Noun, as described by an adjective, is said to be modified, same goes
through with pronoun.

Adjective often answers the following questions: What kind? Which one? How
much? or How many?

English adjectives can be identified by their endings. Common adjective endings are as
follows:

• -able/-ible: credible, achievable, gullible, capable, illegible, sensible, etc.

• -al: annual, functional, individual, logical, essential, etc.
• -ful: awful, cheerful, doubtful, faithful, forceful, etc.
• -ic: terrific, cubic, mimic, rustic, etc.
• -ive: intensive, adaptive, attractive, dismissive, inventive, persuasive, etc.
• -less: doubtless, endless, fearless, helpless, homeless, breathless, restless, etc.
• -ous: adventurous, famous, generous, courageous, dangerous, tremendous, etc.

Though a large number of adjectives are different (hot, dark, smart, cool, complete,
etc.)

Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. In general, there are two main types of
adjectives: Descriptive adjectives and Limiting Adjectives

Generally, a descriptive adjective is probably what you think of when you hear the
word “adjective”. Descriptive adjective can be attributive adjectives or predicate
adjectives.
Attributive Adjectives: appear directly beside the noun, most commonly before,
because they attribute a quality of the noun they modify. The car has a nice smell.
(“nice’” is an attributive adjective as it is placed before the noun smell)

The children’s chatter made the playground noisy. (This is an instance in which the
attributive adjective after the noun, “noisy” is describing the “playground”)

Predicate Adjectives: appear after a linking verb, because they form part of the
predicate. Hence, they modify the subject.

The pickles are salty. (noun: pickle, verb: are, adjective: salty)

Tigers appear scary. (noun: tigers, verb: appear, adjective: scary)

Meanwhile, limiting adjectives restrict or limit the nouns rather than describe them.
They tell “which one,” “how much,” “how many,” or “whose.”

Definite and indefinite articles

The is called a definite article because it points out nouns more specifically.

The boys ate huge slices of cake.

A and an are called indefinite articles because they refer to non- specific nouns. We use
them when we talk about any one person, place, thing, or idea.

Use “a” before consonant sounds: a cap, a book, a kitten

Use “an” before vowel sounds: an umbrella, an apple, an orange

Possessive adjectives

The possessive adjectives, as their name implies, modify nouns by showing

possession or ownership: my, your, his, her, its, our, and their. They answer the
question “whose?”

Is your computer expensive?

We sold our old house.

Note: Don’t confuse possessive adjectives with possessive pronouns. A possessive

adjective is used to describe a noun while a possessive pronoun is used instead of a
noun. Possessive pronouns are words like mine, yours, ours, his, hers, and theirs.
Compare: This is my shirt. (Possessive adjective); This shirt is mine. (Possessive
pronoun)

Demonstrative adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are used to demonstrate which thing the speaker is

describing.

This dress is too tight for me.

In this example, “this” modifies noun “dress.” So, we know which dress the speaker is
referring to.

There are four demonstrative adjectives in English: this, these, that, those.

Note: Do not confuse demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives. They are
identical, but a demonstrative pronoun stands alone, while a demonstrative adjective
qualifies a noun.

That looks awesome. (demonstrative pronoun)

That film is entertaining. (demonstrative adjective + noun)

Indefinite Adjectives

Indefinite adjectives offer general information about the amount of the noun they modify.
Examples are some, one, none, all, any, whole, such, other, several, and another. They
answer the question “how many” or “how much?” but they don’t show exactly the
amount of something.

All girls will be required to dance. (How many girls? All of them.)

Several people watched the parade.

(The specific number of people is not given)

Note: Don’t confuse indefinite adjectives and indefinite pronouns. They look similar but
function differently. Indefinite pronouns take the place of nouns while indefinite
adjectives modify nouns, they do not replace them.
 I don’t have any money. (Indefinite adjective); I don’t have any.
(Indefinite pronoun)

Interrogative Adjectives

Interrogative adjectives ‘what’, ‘which’ and ‘whose’ modify nouns and pronouns
in questions. They are similar to interrogative pronouns, but, unlike the latter, they can’t
stand on their own.

What wooden chair should we get for our dining table?

Here, ‘what’ is an interrogative adjective that modifies the noun ‘dining

table’. ‘Wooden’ is a descriptive adjective that further describes the type of chair being
sought.

The important point to keep in mind is that interrogative adjectives stand for the
thing we do not know.

Which pen is David’s?

Here, we want to know specifically the pen that belongs to David.

Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers as Limiting Adjectives

Numbers (cardinal or ordinal) can function as limiting adjectives telling HOW

MANY. There are quite many of them – one, two, three, the sixth, the 350th, etc. An
unlimited number.
Cardinal adjectives are adjectives that modify the noun by numbering it (stating
how many). Ordinal adjectives indicate the position of a noun in a series.

We spent five years living and working in Indonesia.

In this example, the cardinal adjective ‘five’ modifies the noun ‘years’ and states the
exact period of time.

This is the fourth month we are trying to complete the tour.

Here, ‘the fourth’ is an ordinal adjective that indicates the position of the month,
meaning that there were three months before it.
Proper Adjectives

Proper adjectives, like all adjectives, modify nouns, but they are different from
other adjectives because they are formed from proper nouns. They are easily
recognizable as they are always capitalized, e.g. Asian food, Filipino opera. They are
often made from the names of cities, countries, or regions to describe the origin of
something, but they can also be formed from the names of brands or individuals.

I love Chinese food.

Here, the proper adjective ‘Chinese’ is formed from the proper noun ‘China’ and
modifies the noun ‘food.’ In other words, ‘I like the food that comes from China.’

I’m really excited to use my new Canon camera.

In this example, the word ‘Canon’ is the name of the brand but, when put before
a noun, it becomes a proper adjective: ‘Canon camera’ = ‘camera from the Canon
brand.’

Note: A proper adjective is usually formed by adding an ending to the noun. The most
common endings are -ian, -an, -esque, -like, and -istic:
— Portugal – Portuguese, Iceland – Icelandic, America – American, etc.
However, sometimes we don’t add any endings to a proper noun to make it an
adjective: — Berlin festival, Fuji camera, etc.

Nouns Used as Limiting Adjectives

Sometimes nouns can be used as adjectives to define or describe another noun.

They are put directly before the noun they modify.

For example, in each of these phrases, the first word is a noun but here functions
as an adjective modifying the second word: tuna pie, transition government, book
writer, Sunday picnic, bicycle rider.

Ask the coffee machine guy if we need more coffee.

Here, the phrase ‘coffee machine guy’ means ‘the guy in charge of the coffee
machine’.
 My English teacher said my grammar was brilliant.

In this example, the word ‘English’ acts as an adjective modifying the noun
‘teacher.’ The phrase means “a teacher of English”, telling us what the teacher teaches.

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

Determiner/Article (The, A, An)

Quantity/Number (one, two, first, second, few, several, etc.)

Quality/Opinion/Observation (good, bad, great, etc.)

Size (huge, tiny, gigantic, etc.)

Temperature (hot, cold, etc.)

Age (young, old, 1-year old, etc.)

Shape (flat, round, square, etc.)

Color (green, pink, black, etc.)

Participle (amazed, amazing, depressed, depressing, etc.)

Proper Adjective/Origin (French, Chinese, Fuji, etc.)

Material (wooden, metallic, plastic, etc.)

Noun used as Adjectives/Purpose/Qualifier (sports, wine, coffee, etc.)

NOUN OR PRONOUN
 Examples:

1. I love that big old green antique car that always parked at the end of the street.
[dimension- age- color – qualifier]
2. My sister adopted a beautiful big white bulldog. [ opinion- size- color]
3. A wonderful old Italian clock. [opinion – age – origin]
4. A big square blue box. [dimension – shape – color]
5. A disgusting pink plastic ornament. [opinion – color – material]
6. Some slim new French trousers. [dimension – age – origin]
7. An amazing new American movie. [opinion – age – origin]
8. I bought a pair of black leather shoes. [color – material]

Notes:
When there are two or more adjectives that are from the same group, the word and is
placed between the two adjectives:

1. The house is green and red.

2. The library has old and new books.

When there are three or more adjectives from the same adjective group, place a comma
between each of the coordinate adjectives:

1. We live in the big green, white and red house at the end of the street.

2. My friend lost a red, black and white watch.

A comma is not placed between an adjective and the noun.

Degrees of Comparison

Adjectives are often used to compare nouns and pronouns. These comparative

adjectives have three forms that show greater or lesser degrees of quality, quantity, or
manner: positive, comparative, and superlative. The positive is used to describe an
item, group, or person. The comparative is used to compare two items, groups, or
people. The superlative is used to compare three or more items, people, or groups.

There are different ways to form the comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives.
Add –er or more or less to form the comparative of most one- and two- syllable
adjectives. Most or least are added to adjectives of three or more syllables to form the
superlative.
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

easy easier easiest

delicious more delicious most delicious

talented less talented least talented

Two-Syllable Adjectives that end in y

When a two-syllable adjective ends in y, you create the comparative and
superlative adjective forms by changing the y to i and adding er or est.

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

crazy crazier craziest

scratchy scratchier scratchiest
happy happier happiest
lovely lovelier loveliest
friendly friendlier friendliest
noisy noisier noisiest
sleepy sleepier sleepiest
cozy cozier coziest
foggy foggier foggiest

Exceptions
There are exceptions to these guidelines. Below are a few examples of two-
syllable adjectives whose comparative and superlative adjective forms are created by
adding er or est.

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

little (size, not amount) littler littlest

quiet quieter quietest
stable stabler stablest
yellow yellower yellowest
clever cleverer cleverest
simple simpler simplest
narrow narrower narrowest
Spelling Reminders
When adding -er or -est to create comparative and superlative adjectives, you
often must alter the word's original spelling. You apply the same rules you use when
adding ed to form a past-tense verb.

Irregular Adjectives

Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms. These are

"irregular adjectives," and you must learn them if you haven't already.

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

little (amount, not size) less least

good, well better best
bad, ill worse worst
far farther farthest
many, much more most

Little or Few?
We use the irregular adjectives little, less, and least with things that cannot be counted.
We use few, fewer, and fewest with things that can be counted.

 CANNOT BE COUNTED:
My parrot shows less desire for vegetables than for fruits.
The pet store owner has less affection for his finches than for his puppies.
I have less time today than I had yesterday.

 CAN BE COUNTED:
Does the parrot eat fewer vegetables than fruits?
Will fewer spectators come to the parade this year?
We will have fewer tests this semester.

Much or Many?
We use the irregular adjective much with things that cannot be counted, and we
use many for things that can be counted.

 CANNOT BE COUNTED:
There is not much time to complete this assignment.
I don't need much help.
There wasn't much debate.
  CAN BE COUNTED:
We still have many assignments to complete.
Many investors still purchase stock.

Avoid Double Comparisons

We do not use double comparisons. In other words, we do not use more with er,
or most with est.

 NO: The speed skater was more faster than the ice skater.

 YES: The speed skater was faster than the ice skater.

 NO: She was the most healthiest person at the gym.

 YES: She was the healthiest person at the gym.

 NO: Marilyn was more prettier than Toni.

 YES: Marilyn was prettier than Toni.

 NO: Julio was more better than Jonah at football.

 YES: Julio was better than Jonah at football.

 NO: Is your garage the most messiest on the block?

 YES: Is your garage the messiest on the block?

 NO: Was Oliver the most cleverest essayist of all? 

 YES: Was Oliver the cleverest essayist of all?

Absolute Adjectives
Some irregular adjectives do not normally permit comparison. Adjectives that
represent an ultimate condition (square, round, maximum, equal, fatal, unique,
dead, etc.) cannot be increased by degree. (For example, a square can't be "squarer"
than another square; it's either square or it's not!) When necessary, careful writers can
modify these adjectives by using words like almost, near, and nearly instead of
more/less and most/least.

 NO: That pine tree looks deader now.

 YES: That pine tree looks nearly dead now.
Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. In general, there are two main types of
adjectives: Descriptive adjectives and Limiting Adjectives

Generally, a descriptive adjective is probably what you think of when you hear the
word “adjective”. Descriptive adjective can be attributive adjectives or predicate
adjectives.

Attributive Adjectives: appear directly beside the noun, most commonly before,
because they attribute a quality of the noun they modify. The car has a nice smell.
(“nice’” is an attributive adjective as it is placed before the noun smell)

The children’s chatter made the playground noisy. (This is an instance in which the
attributive adjective after the noun, “noisy” is describing the “playground”)

Predicate Adjectives: appear after a linking verb, because they form part of the
predicate. Hence, they modify the subject.

The pickles are salty. (noun: pickle, verb: are, adjective: salty)

Tigers appear scary. (noun: tigers, verb: appear, adjective: scary)

Meanwhile, limiting adjectives restrict or limit the nouns rather than describe them.
They tell “which one,” “how much,” “how many,” or “whose.”

Definite and indefinite articles

The is called a definite article because it points out nouns more specifically.

The boys ate huge slices of cake.

A and an are called indefinite articles because they refer to non- specific nouns. We use
them when we talk about any one person, place, thing, or idea.

Use “a” before consonant sounds: a cap, a book, a kitten

Use “an” before vowel sounds: an umbrella, an apple, an orange

Possessive adjectives
 The possessive adjectives, as their name implies, modify nouns by showing
possession or ownership: my, your, his, her, its, our, and their. They answer the
question “whose?”

Is your computer expensive?

We sold our old house.

Note: Don’t confuse possessive adjectives with possessive pronouns. A possessive

adjective is used to describe a noun while a possessive pronoun is used instead of a
noun. Possessive pronouns are words like mine, yours, ours, his, hers, and theirs.

Compare: This is my shirt. (Possessive adjective); This shirt is mine. (Possessive

pronoun)

Demonstrative adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are used to demonstrate which thing the speaker is

describing.

This dress is too tight for me.

In this example, “this” modifies noun “dress.” So, we know which dress the speaker is
referring to.

There are four demonstrative adjectives in English: this, these, that, those.

Note: Do not confuse demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives. They are
identical, but a demonstrative pronoun stands alone, while a demonstrative adjective
qualifies a noun.

That looks awesome. (demonstrative pronoun)

That film is entertaining. (demonstrative adjective + noun)

Indefinite Adjectives

Indefinite adjectives offer general information about the amount of the noun they modify.
Examples are some, one, none, all, any, whole, such, other, several, and another. They
answer the question “how many” or “how much?” but they don’t show exactly the
amount of something.
 All girls will be required to dance. (How many girls? All of them.)

Several people watched the parade.

(The specific number of people is not given)

Note: Don’t confuse indefinite adjectives and indefinite pronouns. They look similar but
function differently. Indefinite pronouns take the place of nouns while indefinite
adjectives modify nouns, they do not replace them.

I don’t have any money. (Indefinite adjective); I don’t have any.

(Indefinite pronoun)

Interrogative Adjectives

Interrogative adjectives ‘what’, ‘which’ and ‘whose’ modify nouns and pronouns
in questions. They are similar to interrogative pronouns, but, unlike the latter, they can’t
stand on their own.

What wooden chair should we get for our dining table?

Here, ‘what’ is an interrogative adjective that modifies the noun ‘dining

table’. ‘Wooden’ is a descriptive adjective that further describes the type of chair being
sought.

The important point to keep in mind is that interrogative adjectives stand for the
thing we do not know.

Which pen is David’s?

Here, we want to know specifically the pen that belongs to David.

Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers as Limiting Adjectives

Numbers (cardinal or ordinal) can function as limiting adjectives telling HOW

MANY. There are quite many of them – one, two, three, the sixth, the 350th, etc. An
unlimited number.
Cardinal adjectives are adjectives that modify the noun by numbering it (stating
how many). Ordinal adjectives indicate the position of a noun in a series.
 We spent five years living and working in Indonesia.
In this example, the cardinal adjective ‘five’ modifies the noun ‘years’ and states the
exact period of time.

This is the fourth month we are trying to complete the tour.

Here, ‘the fourth’ is an ordinal adjective that indicates the position of the month,
meaning that there were three months before it.

Proper Adjectives

Proper adjectives, like all adjectives, modify nouns, but they are different from
other adjectives because they are formed from proper nouns. They are easily
recognizable as they are always capitalized, e.g. Asian food, Filipino opera. They are
often made from the names of cities, countries, or regions to describe the origin of
something, but they can also be formed from the names of brands or individuals.

I love Chinese food.

Here, the proper adjective ‘Chinese’ is formed from the proper noun ‘China’ and
modifies the noun ‘food.’ In other words, ‘I like the food that comes from China.’

I’m really excited to use my new Canon camera.

In this example, the word ‘Canon’ is the name of the brand but, when put before
a noun, it becomes a proper adjective: ‘Canon camera’ = ‘camera from the Canon
brand.’

Note: A proper adjective is usually formed by adding an ending to the noun. The most
common endings are -ian, -an, -esque, -like, and -istic:
— Portugal – Portuguese, Iceland – Icelandic, America – American, etc.
However, sometimes we don’t add any endings to a proper noun to make it an
adjective: — Berlin festival, Fuji camera, etc.

Nouns Used as Limiting Adjectives

Sometimes nouns can be used as adjectives to define or describe another noun.

They are put directly before the noun they modify.
 For example, in each of these phrases, the first word is a noun but here functions
as an adjective modifying the second word: tuna pie, transition government, book
writer, Sunday picnic, bicycle rider.

Ask the coffee machine guy if we need more coffee.

Here, the phrase ‘coffee machine guy’ means ‘the guy in charge of the coffee
machine’.

My English teacher said my grammar was brilliant.

In this example, the word ‘English’ acts as an adjective modifying the noun
‘teacher.’ The phrase means “a teacher of English”, telling us what the teacher teaches.

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

Determiner/Article (The, A, An)

Quantity/Number (one, two, first, second, few, several, etc.)

Quality/Opinion/Observation (good, bad, great, etc.)

Size (huge, tiny, gigantic, etc.)

Temperature (hot, cold, etc.)

Age (young, old, 1-year old, etc.)

Shape (flat, round, square, etc.)

Color (green, pink, black, etc.)

Participle (amazed, amazing, depressed, depressing, etc.)

 Proper Adjective/Origin (French, Chinese, Fuji, etc.)

Material (wooden, metallic, plastic, etc.)

Noun used as Adjectives/Purpose/Qualifier (sports, wine, coffee, etc.)

NOUN OR PRONOUN

Examples:

9. I love that big old green antique car that always parked at the end of the street.
[dimension- age- color – qualifier]
10. My sister adopted a beautiful big white bulldog. [ opinion- size- color]
11. A wonderful old Italian clock. [opinion – age – origin]
12. A big square blue box. [dimension – shape – color]
13. A disgusting pink plastic ornament. [opinion – color – material]
14. Some slim new French trousers. [dimension – age – origin]
15. An amazing new American movie. [opinion – age – origin]
16. I bought a pair of black leather shoes. [color – material]

Notes:
When there are two or more adjectives that are from the same group, the word and is
placed between the two adjectives:

3. The house is green and red.

4. The library has old and new books.

When there are three or more adjectives from the same adjective group, place a comma
between each of the coordinate adjectives:

3. We live in the big green, white and red house at the end of the street.

4. My friend lost a red, black and white watch.

A comma is not placed between an adjective and the noun.

Degrees of Comparison

Adjectives are often used to compare nouns and pronouns. These comparative

adjectives have three forms that show greater or lesser degrees of quality, quantity, or
manner: positive, comparative, and superlative. The positive is used to describe an
item, group, or person. The comparative is used to compare two items, groups, or
people. The superlative is used to compare three or more items, people, or groups.

There are different ways to form the comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives.
Add –er or more or less to form the comparative of most one- and two- syllable
adjectives. Most or least are added to adjectives of three or more syllables to form the
superlative.

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

easy easier easiest

delicious more delicious most delicious

talented less talented least talented

Two-Syllable Adjectives that end in y

When a two-syllable adjective ends in y, you create the comparative and
superlative adjective forms by changing the y to i and adding er or est.

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

crazy crazier craziest

scratchy scratchier scratchiest
happy happier happiest
lovely lovelier loveliest
friendly friendlier friendliest
noisy noisier noisiest
sleepy sleepier sleepiest
cozy cozier coziest
foggy foggier foggiest

Exceptions
There are exceptions to these guidelines. Below are a few examples of two-
syllable adjectives whose comparative and superlative adjective forms are created by
adding er or est.

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

 little (size, not amount) littler littlest
quiet quieter quietest
stable stabler stablest
yellow yellower yellowest
clever cleverer cleverest
simple simpler simplest
narrow narrower narrowest

Spelling Reminders
When adding -er or -est to create comparative and superlative adjectives, you
often must alter the word's original spelling. You apply the same rules you use when
adding ed to form a past-tense verb.

Irregular Adjectives

Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms. These are

"irregular adjectives," and you must learn them if you haven't already.

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

little (amount, not size) less least

good, well better best
bad, ill worse worst
far farther farthest
many, much more most

Little or Few?
We use the irregular adjectives little, less, and least with things that cannot be counted.
We use few, fewer, and fewest with things that can be counted.

 CANNOT BE COUNTED:
My parrot shows less desire for vegetables than for fruits.
The pet store owner has less affection for his finches than for his puppies.
I have less time today than I had yesterday.

 CAN BE COUNTED:
Does the parrot eat fewer vegetables than fruits?
Will fewer spectators come to the parade this year?
We will have fewer tests this semester.
Much or Many?
We use the irregular adjective much with things that cannot be counted, and we
use many for things that can be counted.

 CANNOT BE COUNTED:
There is not much time to complete this assignment.
I don't need much help.
There wasn't much debate.

 CAN BE COUNTED:
We still have many assignments to complete.
Many investors still purchase stock.

Avoid Double Comparisons

We do not use double comparisons. In other words, we do not use more with er,
or most with est.

 NO: The speed skater was more faster than the ice skater.

 YES: The speed skater was faster than the ice skater.

 NO: She was the most healthiest person at the gym.

 YES: She was the healthiest person at the gym.

 NO: Marilyn was more prettier than Toni.

 YES: Marilyn was prettier than Toni.

 NO: Julio was more better than Jonah at football.

 YES: Julio was better than Jonah at football.

 NO: Is your garage the most messiest on the block?

 YES: Is your garage the messiest on the block?

 NO: Was Oliver the most cleverest essayist of all? 

 YES: Was Oliver the cleverest essayist of all?

Absolute Adjectives
Some irregular adjectives do not normally permit comparison. Adjectives that
represent an ultimate condition (square, round, maximum, equal, fatal, unique,
dead, etc.) cannot be increased by degree. (For example, a square can't be "squarer"
than another square; it's either square or it's not!) When necessary, careful writers can
modify these adjectives by using words like almost, near, and nearly instead of
more/less and most/least.

 NO: That pine tree looks deader now.

 YES: That pine tree looks nearly dead now.

ADVERB

An adverb is a descriptive word that modifies or adds information to a verb,

an adjective, and another adverb. This type of modifier answers the question "how,"
"when," "where," and "how much" (or "to what extent"). The italicized words below
modify the verb studies:

HOW: Mike studies quietly.

WHEN: He studies now.
WHERE: He studies there
HOW MUCH: He whispers more.

The modifier usually appears near the verb that it modifies, but it can appear almost
anywhere in a sentence.

Abe will soon leave for home.

Soon, Abe will leave for home.

Suffix -ly