ADJECTIVES

An adjective is a word that modifies or describes a noun.

Example: Funny, tall, lazy, clever etc.

 

 

KINDS OF ADJECTIVES

Adjectives can be classified into following kinds:

 

 

Adjectives of Quality

An adjective that shows the quality of a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective of quality. It tells about the colour, shape and size of the noun. 

Examples: Difficult, Heavy, White, Gentle, Easy

 

Adjectives of Quantity

An adjective that tells how much of a thing is meant is called an adjective of quantity. They describe the quantity of a noun or a pronoun. It answers the question: How much?

Examples: Some, much, any, little, all, enough.

 

Adjectives of Number

An adjectives that show how many persons or things are meant are called adjectives of number. They are also known as numeral adjectives. Adjectives of number answer the question: How many?

 

Adjectives of Number are of three kinds:

1. Definite Numeral Adjectives: They denote an exact number.

• Cardinal : Cardinal denotes, ”how many”.  E.g. One, two, three.
• Ordinal : An ordinal denotes the order of things in a series. E.g.  First, second, third,

 

1. Indefinite Numeral Adjectives: They do not denote an exact number.

Examples: Many, few, some, several, all, any,

 

The same adjective may be classed as of Quantity or Number, according to its use.

 E.g. I have got some juice. (As a Quantity)

        She has got some good paintings. (As a Number)

 

1. Distributive Numeral Adjective: An adjective that refers to each one of a number in the case of singular nouns is called distributive adjective.

 

 Examples: Each, every, either, neither.

 

Possessive Adjectives

An adjective that shows possession is called possessive adjective.

Examples: Your, his, her, their, our.

 

Demonstrative Adjective

An adjective that points out a person or a thing is called a demonstrative adjective.

Examples: These, those, that, this.

 

Interrogative Adjective

An adjective that asks a question is called an interrogative adjective.

 Examples: What, which, whose.

 

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

Adjectives change in form to show comparison. They are called the three Degrees of comparison.

 

Positive Degree

The positive degree of an adjective is used when no comparison is made. It is used to describe a noun.

Example: Priya is a sweet girl.

Comparative Degree

The comparative degree of an adjective is used when two things are compared.

Example: Priya is sweeter than Riya.

Superlative Degree

The superlative degree is used to compare more than two nouns.

Example: Priya is the sweetest of all girls.

 

RULES FOR FORMATION OF COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

Most adjectives of one syllable, and some of more than one, form their comparative degree by adding ’er’ and their superlative degree by adding ’est’ to the positive degree.

 

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Strong	Stronger	Strongest
Clever	Cleverer	Cleverest
Young	Younger	Youngest
Great	Greater	Greatest

 

If the Positive ends in ’y’, preceded by a consonant, the ’y’ is changed into ’i’ before adding ’er’ and ’est’.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Easy	Easier	Easiest
Happy	Happier	Happiest
Wealthy	Wealthier	Wealthiest
Ugly	Uglier	Ugliest

 

Many adjectives of two syllables and all adjectives of more than two syllables form the comparative degree by using "more" before the Positive and the superlative by using the adverb ”most” before the Positive.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Beautiful	More Beautiful	Most Beautiful
Courageous	More Courageous	Most Courageous
Fortunate	More Fortunate	Most Fortunate
Difficult	More Difficult	Most Difficult

 

Some adjectives are compared irregularly, which means they do not follow any rules.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Good	Better	Best
Bad	Worse	Worst
Many (number)	More	Most
Much (quantity)	More	Most
Little	Less/Lesser	Least

 

INTERESTING FACTS

• Determiners are words such as ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’. They serve a similar role to that of adjectives. They make nouns or pronouns more specific and they have often been categorized as adjectives.
• Adjectives such as putrid, foul, and repulsive are used to describe how a noun or pronoun smells if the odor is a negative one. Positive odor-describing words include: tantalizing, sweet, and aromatic.
• Adjectives in Spanish also have number, meaning they can be singular or plural.