Adjective

An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. It adds more detail, helping us understand or imagine the subject better. Adjectives are like little artists that paint vivid pictures in our minds. Whether you’re talking about a sunny day, a tasty cake, or a brave hero, adjectives bring those ideas to life.

What are Adjectives?

Adjectives are words that tell us more about “what kind,” “how many,” or “which one” regarding a noun or pronoun. They help us describe qualities (like beautiful, tall), quantities (like many, few), or even specific choices (like this, that).
Think of adjectives as the magic that transforms a simple sentence into something exciting. For example:
Instead of saying, “I have a house,” you could say, “I have a cozy little house.”
Or, “She is a dancer” becomes “She is an incredible, graceful dancer.”

Examples of Adjectives in Action:

“The red apple is juicy.” (The word red describes the noun apple.)
“The cheerful puppy played in the yard.” (Cheerful describes the puppy.)
“I feel sleepy today.” (Sleepy gives more detail about how I feel.)

Adjectives: Words That Add Detail and Description

Adjectives are words that describe or give more information about a noun or pronoun. They tell us something about the size, color, shape, quality, or quantity of the object or person they modify. Adjectives make sentences more vivid and interesting.

For example:

“The red apple is juicy.” (The word red describes the noun apple.)
“The cheerful puppy played in the yard.” (Cheerful describes the puppy.)
“I feel sleepy today.” (Sleepy gives more detail about how I feel.)

Types of Adjectives

Adjectives come in different forms depending on their function. Let’s explore the main types with examples:

Adjectives of Quantity

These adjectives describe how much or how many of something there is.
Examples:
“I need some water to drink.”
“You need a lot of patience to finish this.”

Adjectives of Quality

These adjectives describe the nature or characteristic of a noun or pronoun. They tell us what kind, how it looks, feels, or behaves.
Examples:
“This is a beautiful garden.”
“He is a kind person.”

Adjectives of Numbers (Numerical Adjectives)

These adjectives tell us the number or order of nouns.
Definite Numeral Adjectives: Indicate exact numbers.
Example: “There are five students in the room.”
Indefinite Numeral Adjectives: Indicate an approximate number.
Example: “There are many books on the shelf.”
Distributive Numeral Adjectives: Refer to individual members of a group.
Example: “Each student should submit their homework.”

Participial Adjectives

These adjectives are formed from verbs and end in -ing or -ed. They describe a state or condition.
Examples:
“We crossed a damaged bridge.”
“She ran to catch the moving bus.”

Types of Adjectives (Based on Function)

a. Demonstrative Adjectives
Used to point out specific nouns.
Examples:
“This book is mine.”
“Those shoes are too big for me.”
b. Interrogative Adjectives
Used in questions to ask about nouns.
Examples:
“Which dress do you like?”
“What time does the train arrive?”
c. Exclamatory Adjectives
Used to express strong emotion.
Examples:
“What a beautiful sunset!”
“What an amazing idea!”
d. Possessive Adjectives
Show ownership or possession.
Examples:
“My car is parked outside.”
“Their garden is full of flowers.”
e. Emphasizing Adjectives
Used to stress or highlight the noun.
Examples:
“Mind your own business.”
“That is your responsibility.”

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Adjective Forms: Positive, Comparative, and Superlative

Adjective can vary in intensity or degree, depending on what they describe. These forms are used to compare things, people, or actions. Let’s explore the three main degrees of adjectives:

Positive Degree

The positive degree is the base form of an adjective. It describes a single thing without any comparison. It’s also used to denote equality when paired with words like as…as or so…as.
Examples:
“This cake is sweet.” (Describes the cake without comparison.)
“Myra is as tall as her sister.” (Shows equality between Myra and her sister.)

Comparative Degree

The comparative form is used to compare two things, people, or actions. It often ends in -er or is preceded by the word more.
Examples:
“Myra is taller than Rina.”
“This book is more interesting than the last one.”

Superlative Degree

The superlative form is used to compare someone or something to the entire group it belongs to. It often ends in -est or is preceded by the word most.
Examples:
“Myra is the tallest girl in their class.”
“This is the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen.”
Key Points:
Positive degree is used when there is no comparison or to show equality.
Comparative degree is used to highlight a difference between two entities.
Superlative degree is used to identify the extreme quality within a group.

Degrees of Comparison: Commonly Used Words

The table below includes examples of commonly used adjectives:
Make table of words given below

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Brave	Braver	Bravest
Cold	Colder	Coldest
Bright	Brighter	Brightest
Strong	Stronger	Strongest
Fast	Faster	Fastest
Kind	Kinder	Kindest
Clever	Cleverer	Cleverest
Small	Smaller	Smallest
Young	Younger	Youngest
Warm	Warmer	Warmest
Cheap	Cheaper	Cheapest
Close	Closer	Closest
Rich	Richer	Richest
Wise	Wiser	Wisest
Tall	Taller	Tallest
Clean	Cleaner	Cleanest
Dark	Darker	Darkest
Simple	Simpler	Simplest
Far	Farther	Farthest
Friendly	Friendlier	Friendliest

Adjectives can often be created by adding specific suffixes to nouns, verbs, or other adjectives. These suffixes help to change the word’s form and function, allowing it to describe or modify nouns. Here’s how adjectives can be formed:

Adjectives from Nouns

Adding suffixes to nouns can create adjectives that describe characteristics or qualities.
Examples:

Beauty → Beautiful
Hope → Hopeful
Child → Childish
Joy → Joyful
Danger → Dangerous

Adjectives from Verbs

Suffixes added to verbs turn them into adjectives, often describing actions or states.
Examples:

Talk → Talkative
Create → Creative
Use → Useful
Annoy → Annoying
Enjoy → Enjoyable

Adjectives from Adjectives

Sometimes, adding suffixes to an adjective enhances or changes its meaning.
Examples:

Happy → Happier → Happiest
Blue → Bluish
Able → Unable
Wide → Wider

Common Suffixes Used to Form Adjective

-ful: Joyful, Hopeful
-ous: Dangerous, Curious
-ish: Childish, Foolish
-ive: Active, Creative
-able/-ible: Comfortable, Visible
-less: Careless, Hopeless
-al: Natural, Personal
-y: Sunny, Tasty
-ic: Heroic, Artistic

Adjective – Definition, List, Types, Uses and Examples