Adjective

(Describing words)
A word which qualifies a noun or a pronoun.
❖ ➔ Adjective Examples
1. They live in a big, beautiful house.

2. Since it’s a hot day, Mohan is wearing a light dress.

3. The mountaintops are covered in sparkling snow.

4. On her birthday, she received an antique vase filled with fragrance.

REFERS TO:

➢ Size
➢ Shape
➢ Age
➢ Color
➢ Origin
➢ material
● It's a big table.

● It's an old table.

● It's a round table.

● It's a big table. (size)

● It's an old table. (age)

● It's a round table. (shape)

● It's a brown table.

● It's an English table.

● It's a wooden table.

● It's a brown table. (color)

● It's an English table. (origin)

● It's a wooden table. (material)

● It's a lovely table.

● It's a broken table.

● It's a lovely table. (opinion)

● It's a broken table. (observation)

➔ Adjectives serve another important role:
they answer questions like,
"Which one?"
"How many?" and
"What kind?"
➔ You can see how they do this job in the
following examples:
● Which cat did you see? It was the grey cat.

● What kind of potatoes did you buy? I bought

red potatoes.
● How many cars were in the parking lot? There
were few cars.

● How many people like ice cream? Most people

like ice cream.
● Which spoon did you use to stir the soup? I
used the wooden spoon.

● What kind of coffee do you like? I like black

coffee.
➔ Adjectives use certain suffixes

A suffix is the ending portion of a word.

They often follow familiar patterns. In general,
many English adjectives end with these suffixes:
-able/-ible: adorable, invisible, responsible,
uncomfortable

-al: educational, gradual, illegal, nocturnal, viral

-an: American, Mexican, urban

-ar: cellular, popular, spectacular, vulgar

-ent: intelligent, potent, silent, violent

-ful: harmful, powerful, tasteful, thoughtful

-ic/-ical: athletic, energetic, magical, scientific

-ine: bovine, canine, equine, feminine, masculine

-ile: agile, docile, fertile, virile

-ive: informative, native, talkative

-less: careless, endless, homeless, timeless

-ous: cautious, dangerous, enormous, malodorous

Adjectives Use Certain Placement in a Sentence
Before a Noun

If it comes immediately before a noun, it's likely

an adjective. For example, in "blue plate," "blue"
is an adjective describing the noun "plate."
Example:
The tall tree shaded the entire yard.

She wore a beautiful dress to the party.

The old man sat on the wooden bench.

We watched a thrilling movie last night.

Example:
The tall tree shaded the entire yard.

She wore a beautiful dress to the party.

The old man sat on the wooden bench.

We watched a thrilling movie last night.

Between an Article and a Noun

If it comes between an article like "the," "an," or

"a" and is followed by a noun, it is almost
definitely an adjective.
➔ For example, in "the grassy field," "grassy" is
the adjective describing the noun "field."
Example:
The red apple looked delicious.

A friendly dog greeted us at the door.

An enormous elephant stood in the clearing.

The curious child asked many questions.

A cozy cabin nestled in the woods.

Example:
The red apple looked delicious.

A friendly dog greeted us at the door.

An enormous elephant stood in the clearing.

The curious child asked many questions.

A cozy cabin nestled in the woods.

➔ Between a Possessive and a Noun

If it comes between a possessive pronoun or noun

and another noun, it is almost definitely an
adjective.
For example, in "his red kite," "red" is an
adjective to describe "kite." The same is true for
"Dino's red kite."
Example:
His shiny car caught everyone's attention.

Their cozy cabin was nestled among the trees.

My favorite book is a classic novel.

Her beautiful voice mesmerized the audience.

Our spacious apartment has a great view.

Example:
His shiny car caught everyone's attention.

Their cozy cabin was nestled among the trees.

My favorite book is a classic novel.

Her beautiful voice mesmerized the audience.

Our spacious apartment has a great view.

➔ Between a Demonstrative and a Noun

If a word comes between a demonstrative like

"this," "that," "these," or "those" and a noun, it
is probably an adjective.
For example, in "that perfect kitchen," "perfect"
is an adjective describing "kitchen."
Example:
That old house looks haunted.

These fresh vegetables are perfect for salad.

Those noisy neighbors are always throwing parties.

This beautiful painting hangs in the museum.

That tall building is the city's tallest skyscraper.

Example:
That old house looks haunted.

These fresh vegetables are perfect for salad.

Those noisy neighbors are always throwing parties.

This beautiful painting hangs in the museum.

That tall building is the city's tallest skyscraper.

➔ Between an Amount and a Noun

If a word comes between an amount, including

"some," "most," "all," or "a few," and a noun, it
is often an adjective.
For example, in the phrase "a few ordinary
days," "ordinary" is an adjective describing
"days."
Example:
Some rainy days are perfect for staying indoors.

Some delicious chocolate cake would be nice.

A few stray cats roam the neighborhood.

A few lucky winners will receive prizes.

Example:
Some rainy days are perfect for staying indoors.

Some delicious chocolate cake would be nice.

A few stray cats roam the neighborhood.

A few lucky winners will receive prizes.

● Adjectives can also act as complements.
Complements complete a sentence when the verb
is "to be."

● Not every compliment is an adjective, but some

adjectives can be complements.
● She is tall.

● He is smart, handsome, and rich.

Example:
The concert was fantastic, leaving the audience mesmerized by the
performance.

Her artwork is stunning, showcasing her immense talent and creativity.

The weather turned gloomy, casting a shadow over the outdoor picnic plans.

The meal tasted delicious, leaving everyone at the dinner table satisfied and
content.

His presentation was informative, providing valuable insights into the topic.
Example:
The concert was fantastic, leaving the audience mesmerized by the
performance.

Her artwork is stunning, showcasing her immense talent and creativity.

The weather turned gloomy, casting a shadow over the outdoor picnic plans.

The meal tasted delicious, leaving everyone at the dinner table satisfied and
content.

His presentation was informative, providing valuable insights into the topic.
 ATTRIBUTIVE AND PREDICATIVE USE OF
ADJECTIVES:: -
1. Attributive - when adj is used before a
noun
Adjective + Noun

Eg-
I wore a pretty dress yesterday.
Eg-
I wore a pretty dress yesterday.
I wore a pretty(adj) dress(N) yesterday.
PREDICATIVE- when adjective is used after a noun

Eg-

The gown is pretty.

Eg-

The gown(n) is pretty(adj).

Eg-
EXAMPLE: -

1. The pink doll was dancing.

2. Ram is a brave soldier.

Eg-
EXAMPLE: -

3. Litmus paper turned red.

4. The girl seems smart.

Eg-

1. The pink(Adj) doll(N) was dancing.-attributive

2. Ram is a brave(Adj) soldier(N).-attributive

3. Litmus paper(N) turned red(Adj).- predicative

4. The girl(N) seems smart(Adj).-predicative

Certain adj are used in Predicative position

Afraid Alike Aware

Alone Alive Eager

Ashamed Afloat
Sour
Fond Alert
Awake
ill
Asleep
1) Maya is afraid.

2) Rahul is an afraid man.

3) Rahul is a frightened man.

1) Maya is afraid.(✔)

2) Rahul is an afraid boy.(x)

3) Rahul is a frightened boy. (✔)

4) Rahul is alone.

5) Rahul is an alone person.

6) Rahul is a lonely person.

4) Rahul is alone. (✔)

5) Rahul is an alone person.(x)

6) Rahul is a lonely person.(✔)

7) Both the brothers look alike.

8) The baby fell asleep

9) Maya is ill.

10) Maya is an ill person.

7) Both the brothers look alike.(✔)

8) The baby fell asleep.(✔)

9) Maya is ill(✔)

10) Maya is an ill person.(x)

Lonely(adj) - attributive/predicative

Alone(adj) - predicative
1. This room is lonely.

2. It is a lonely room.
1. This room is lonely.(✔)

2. It is a lonely room.(✔)
1. Maya is a lonely person.

2. Maya is an alone person.

1. Maya is a lonely person.(✔)

2. Maya is an alone person.(x)

● Afraid- adjective - Predicative

● Frightened - adjective-
Attributive/Predicative
1. Manan is afraid.

2. Manan is an afraid man.

3. Manan is a frightened man.

1. Manan is afraid.- correct

2. Manan is an afraid man. - incorrect

3. Manan is a frightened man.- correct

 TYPES OF ADJECTIVES: -

1) ADJECTIVE OF QUALITY (good, smart, beautiful)

2) ADJECTIVE OF QUANTITY (Some, enough, adequate)

3) ADJECTIVE OF NUMBER (one, first)

4) DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVE (this, these, that, those)

TYPES OF ADJECTIVES: -

5) POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE (my, our, her, their)

6) DISTRIBUTIVE ADJECTIVE (each, every, either, neither)

7) INTERROGATIVE ADJECTIVE (what, which, whose)

8) PROPER ADJECTIVE (Indian, Jain , American)

 TYPES OF ADJECTIVES

Possessive Adjectives

➔ As the name indicates, possessive adjectives are

used to indicate possession.
● My
● Your
● His
● Her
● Its
● Our
● Their
➔ Possessive adjectives also function as possessive
pronouns.
My cat enjoys lounging in the sunbeam by the window.

Your phone is ringing; you should answer it.

His favorite book is a classic novel from the 19th century.

Her car broke down on the highway, so she had to call for assistance.

Our family enjoys going on hikes together during the weekends.

My cat enjoys lounging in the sunbeam by the window.

Your phone is ringing; you should answer it.

His favorite book is a classic novel from the 19th century.

Her car broke down on the highway, so she had to call for assistance.

Our family enjoys going on hikes together during the weekends.

 Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are used to indicate or

demonstrate specific people, animals, or things.
These, those, this and that are demonstrative
adjectives.
● These books belong to me.

● This movie is my favorite.

● Please put those cookies on the plate.

 Coordinate Adjectives

Coordinate adjectives are separated with commas

or the word and, and appear one after another to
modify the same noun. The adjectives in the
phrase bright, sunny day and long and dark night
are coordinate adjectives.
 Demonstrative Adjectives

➔ In phrases with more than two coordinate

adjectives, the word 'and' always appears before
the last one; for example: The writing had big,
bold, and bright letters.
 Numbers Adjectives

➔ When they’re used in sentences, numbers are

almost always adjectives. You can tell that a
number is an adjective when it answers the
question “How many?”
● The truck was pulled by a team of six.
● He ate twenty three hot dogs during the contest,
and was sick afterwards.
 Interrogative Adjectives

➔ There are three interrogative adjectives:

which, what, and whose. Like all other types of
adjectives, interrogative adjectives modify nouns.
➔ As you probably know, all three of these words
are used to ask questions.
● Which option sounds best to you?
● What time should we go?
● Whose socks are those?
 Indefinite Adjectives

➔ Like the articles a and an, indefinite adjectives

are used to discuss non-specific things. You might
recognize them, since they’re formed from
indefinite pronouns.
➔ The most common indefinite adjectives are
any, many, no, several, and few.

● Do we have any peanut butter?

● Grandfather has been retired for many years.

● There are no bananas in the fruit bowl.

● I usually read the first few pages of a book

before I buy it.

● We looked at several cars before deciding on the

best one for our family.
 Attributive Adjectives

➔ Attributive adjectives talk about specific traits,

qualities, or features – in other words, they are
used to discuss attributes. There are different
kinds of attributive adjectives:
 Attributive Adjectives

● Observation adjectives such as real, perfect,

best, interesting, beautiful or cheapest can
indicate value or talk about subjective measures.
● Size and shape adjectives talk about
measurable, objective qualities including specific
physical properties. Some examples include small,
large, square, round.
● Age adjectives denote specific ages in numbers,
as well as general ages. Examples are old, young,
new, five-year-old.
● Color adjectives are exactly what they sound
like – they’re adjectives that indicate color.
Examples include pink, yellow, blue, and black.
● Origin adjectives indicate the source of the
noun, whether it’s a person, place, animal or
thing. Examples include American, Canadian,
Mexican, French.
● Material adjectives denote what something is made
of. Some examples include cotton, gold, wool.

● Qualifier adjectives are often regarded as part of a

noun. They make nouns more specific; examples
include log cabin, luxury car, and pillow cover.