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

Have you ever asked a question like, “Which book is yours?” or “Whose bag is this?” If yes, then you have already used interrogative adjectives without even realizing it! Let’s dive in and explore what interrogative adjectives are, and how they work, and see examples to make everything clear and easy to understand.

Table of Contents

1. What Are Interrogative Adjectives?
2. Definition of an Interrogative Adjective
3. Examples of Interrogative Adjectives
4. Difference between Interrogative Adjectives and Interrogative Pronouns
5. Practice Questions on Interrogative Adjectives
6. Frequently Asked Questions on Interrogative Adjectives

What Are Interrogative Adjectives?

An interrogative adjective is a word that is used to ask questions and modify a noun or pronoun in the process. These adjectives help you ask about specific information related to people, things, or choices.

For example:

• • “Which dress will you wear to the party?”
  • “Whose book is on the table?”

In these sentences, the words which and whose are interrogative adjectives because they modify the nouns dress and book.

Definition of an Interrogative Adjective

An interrogative adjective, also known as an interrogative determiner, is an adjective that modifies a noun by asking a question. It provides more information about the noun being discussed.

According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, an interrogative adjective is defined as a word that is “used to modify a noun or pronoun by asking a question.”

The three interrogative adjectives in English are:

1. Whose

2. What

3. Which

Examples of Interrogative Adjectives

Let’s look at some examples to understand how interrogative adjectives are used in sentences:

Using ‘Whose’

• • “Whose bag is this on the floor?”
  • “Do you know whose keys are on the table?”

Using ‘What’

• • “What subjects are you studying this semester?”
  • “Do you know what time the show starts?”

Using ‘Which’

• • “Which movie do you want to watch?”
  • “Can you tell me which road leads to the museum?”

Difference between Interrogative Adjectives and Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative adjectives and interrogative pronouns may look similar, but they serve different purposes. Let’s understand the difference:

Examples:

• • Interrogative Adjective: Which car do you like best?
  • Interrogative Pronoun: Which is your favorite?

Practice Questions on Interrogative Adjectives

Fill in the blanks with the correct interrogative adjective:

1. _______ book are you reading right now?

2. _______ team do you think will win the match?

3. _______ idea did the teacher like the most?

4. _______ bag is lying on the bench?

5. _______ type of music do you enjoy?

Answers to Practice Questions

1. Which book are you reading right now?

2. Which team do you think will win the match?

3. Whose idea did the teacher like the most?

4. Whose bag is lying on the bench?

5. What type of music do you enjoy?

Frequently Asked Questions on Interrogative Adjectives

Q1: What is an interrogative adjective?
An interrogative adjective is a word like whose, what, or which that modifies a noun by asking a question.

Q2: What are examples of interrogative adjectives?
Examples include:

• • Whose phone is this?
  • What colour do you prefer?
  • Which book should I read first?

Q3: How are interrogative adjectives different from interrogative pronouns?
Interrogative adjectives describe or modify a noun (e.g., “Which car is yours?”), while interrogative pronouns replace a noun (e.g., “Which is yours?”).