Adjectives
Contents |
General Definition of An Adjective
An adjective modifies a pronoun or a noun by either identifying, describing, or quantifying words. An adjective normally precedes the noun/pronoun which it modifies. [1]
The group was in a grumpy mood.
The sunflower is tall.
My new phone is red.
Possessive Adjectives
(my, your, his, her, it's, out, their)
Possessive adjectives are used to possession or ownership. [2] Example:
My dog ran away.
Your shirt is cool.
We moved into our new house.
Demonstrative Adjectives
(this, these, that, those, what)
Demonstrative adjectives are used to express or identify the relative position of a noun in time or space. The demonstrative adjective is placed before the noun that is being demonstrated. [3]
Example:
What is your name?
This book is really good.
That restaurant was amazing!
Do you like these new plates?
What about those blue towels?
Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two nouns and to also state that one of the nouns has more of something than the other noun. [4]
Examples:
The white dog is smaller than the other dog.
Our trailer is larger than the Brown's.
Superlative Adjectives
(-est, least, most)
Superlative adjectives are used to define someone or something in the highest degree. They are only used if three or more people or things are being compared. [5]
The suffix -est can be added to the end of a one-syllable adjective.
The white dog is the smallest. He is the tallest person in the classes Last year had the hottest summer.
Least and most can be used for adjectives if it contains three or more syllables. The lettuce was the least expensive thing that I bought. The purse was the most expensive thing that I bought.
That hill is the most dangerous of them all.
Bowling is the least dangerous of them all.
Interrogative Adjectives
(which, what)
Interrogative adjectives modify nouns/noun phrases rather then having them stand on their own. They are used in questions. [6]
Examples:
What chapter do we have to read
Which light bulb needs to be changed?
Indefinite Adjective
(all, any, each, every, few, many, some)
Indefinite adjectives modifies a noun or pronoun that is without a limit or an uncertain number. Indefinite adjectives answer the question of "how much". [7]
Example:
I ate all of the vegetables.
Would you like any of the pie?
I love each and every one of you.
I have so few candies left.
I have a collection of many shells.
I have some special talent in baking.
Attributive Vs. Predicative
An attributive adjective is positioned:
Det _____ Noun
Example:
The blue flower.
A predicative adjective is positioned:
Noun Phrase "be" ______
Example:
The flower is blue.
