Adjectives: Definition, Forms, Types, Usage, and Examples

Adjectives are an integral part of the English language. They add depth and detail to sentences by describing, modifying, or qualifying nouns or pronouns. For beginners and young learners, understanding adjectives is a crucial step in mastering the art of expressive communication. Let’s explore adjectives in detail, including their definition, types, and usage, along with practical examples.

Table of Contents

1. What Is an Adjective?

2. Definition of an Adjective

3. Forms of Adjectives

4. Types of Adjectives

5. How to Use Adjectives in Sentences

6. Examples of Adjectives

7. Check Your Knowledge of Adjectives

8. Frequently Asked Questions on Adjectives

What Is an Adjective?

An adjective is a word used to describe or provide more information about a noun or pronoun. Adjectives often answer questions like:

• • What kind? (red dress)
  • How many? (three apples)
  • Which one? (this book)

Adjectives can appear before the noun they modify or after a linking verb when they function as complements.

Definition of an Adjective

Adjectives typically appear before the noun they modify or after a linking verb when used as predicate adjectives.

• • Cambridge Dictionary: “An adjective is a word that describes a noun or pronoun.”
  • Collins Dictionary: “An adjective is a word such as ‘big’, ‘dead’, or ‘financial’ that describes a person or thing, or gives extra information about them.”
  • Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “An adjective is a word belonging to one of the major form classes in any language, typically serving as a modifier of a noun to denote a quality, indicate its quantity, or specify it as distinct.”

Forms of Adjectives: Degrees of Comparison

Adjectives can express different degrees of comparison:

1. Positive Degree: Describes a quality without comparison.

• • The garden is beautiful.

2. Comparative Degree: Compares two nouns or pronouns.

• • This garden is more beautiful than that one.

3. Superlative Degree: Highlights the highest degree of quality among three or more nouns.

• • This is the most beautiful garden in the city.

Types of Adjectives

Adjectives are categorized based on their function and usage in sentences:

1. Descriptive Adjectives

• • • Provide information about qualities or states.
    • Examples: bright, calm, delicious.

2. Quantitative Adjectives

• • • Indicate quantity or amount.
    • Examples: some, several, many.

3. Demonstrative Adjectives

• • • Point to specific nouns.
    • Examples: this, that, these, those.

4. Possessive Adjectives

• • • Show ownership or possession.
    • Examples: my, your, his, her, their.

5. Interrogative Adjectives

• • • Modify nouns in questions.
    • Examples: which, what, whose.

6. Compound Adjectives

• • • Formed by combining two or more words.
    • Examples: long-term, well-behaved, high-speed.

7. Proper Adjectives

• • • Derived from proper nouns.
    • Examples: Italian cuisine and Victorian architecture.

How to Use Adjectives in Sentences

1. Before Nouns:

• • She wore a beautiful dress.

2. After Linking Verbs:

• • The sky looks clear.

3. Coordinate Adjectives:

• • Separate with a comma or conjunction if they equally describe a noun.
  • It was a long, tiring day.

4. Non-Coordinate Adjectives:

• • When adjectives form a single idea, do not separate them.
  • He carried a large wooden box.

Examples of Adjectives

1. Descriptive:

• • • • The tall tree swayed in the wind.

2. Quantitative:

• • • • She has five siblings.

3. Demonstrative:

• • • • Those apples are fresh.

4. Possessive:

• • • • It is her favourite book.

5. Interrogative:

• • • • Which road leads to the park?

6. Compound:

• • • • They live in a well-maintained house.

Check Your Knowledge of Adjectives

Identify the adjectives in the following sentences:

1. The beautiful flowers bloomed in spring.

2. He bought three new books.

3. This cake is delicious.

4. She has a confident demeanour.

5. The tallest building in the city is under construction.

Answers:

1. Beautiful

2. Three, new

3. Delicious

4. Confident

5. Tallest

Frequently Asked Questions on Adjectives

Q1. What is an adjective?
An adjective is a word that modifies or describes a noun or pronoun, providing more details about qualities, quantities, or characteristics.

Q2. What are the forms of adjectives?
Adjectives come in three forms: positive, comparative, and superlative.

Q3. Can adjectives function as nouns?
Yes, adjectives can act as nouns when preceded by “the.” For example: the poor refers to “poor people.”

Q4. What are compound adjectives?
Compound adjectives are formed by combining two or more words to modify a noun. Example: a well-known author.

Q5. How are adjectives different from adverbs?
Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.