Adjective - Definition, Types, Use, Examples & Degree, Worksheet

Table of content

1. Introduction

2. What are Adjectives?

3. Formation of Adjectives

4. Types of Adjectives

5. Degrees of Adjectives

6. Adjective Worksheet/ Exercise

Adjectives: Adding Color and Flavor to Our Language

Definition:

A word which gives more information about noun or pronoun is called as "Adjective". These describe the noun or pronoun.

For example:

1. Flower is beautiful.
2. Food was tasty.
3. John is a good student.
4. He was angry.
5. Big elephant hit the football.

1. Introduction

Let's start with the basics. Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns (people, places, things, or ideas) in our sentences. They give us more information about the nouns, making our expressions more specific and interesting.

Adjectives are the superheroes of language! They swoop in to save our sentences by adding color, flavor, and detail. These little words have the power to transform a simple idea into a vivid description, making our communication more exciting and engaging. In this fun exploration of adjectives, we will discover what they are, how they work, and why they are essential for spicing up our language.

2. What Are Adjectives?

In simple words, Adjectives are the descriptive words.

Have you ever wondered what makes a sentence pop with color and detail? Well, let me introduce you to our little friend, the adjective!

So, what's an adjective? It's like the seasoning to your sentence, adding flavor and flair by describing nouns or pronouns. Whether it's a beautiful flower, tasty food, or a good student like John, adjectives are there to paint a vivid picture.

Think of them as your trusty sidekick, helping you express emotions like anger or size like big. They're the secret sauce that turns a plain old sentence into something exciting and memorable.

Want to make your writing stand out? Start sprinkling in those adjectives! Whether you're describing something simple or complex, they're your ticket to captivating your readers and making your words come alive.

3. Formation of Adjectives

1. Some times Past Participle (V3) form of verb is also used as an Adjective.

    e.g. He is a learned person.

2. Some times Present Participle (ing) form of verb is also used as an Adjective.

    e.g. It is an interesting book.

           It was an exciting experience.

3. Some times adjectives are formed from nouns.

    e.g. It is a sunny day. (Sun-Sunny)

4. Some times adjectives are formed from verbs.

    e.g. He is an active person. (Act-Active)

4. Types of Adjectives

1. Descriptive Adjectives

Descriptive adjectives help us paint pictures with words. They tell us how something looks, feels, tastes, sounds, or smells. 

For example:

1. The beautiful sunset painted the sky with hues of orange and pink.
2. She has a fluffy puppy that loves to play fetch.
3. Grandma baked a delicious apple pie for dessert.

2. Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are like friendly pointers. They help us specify which particular noun we are talking about. These nifty adjectives come in handy when you want to show something or someone. 

For example:

1. I love this song; it's so catchy!
2. That house on the corner is where my best friend lives.
3. These cupcakes are the best I've ever tasted.

3. Quantitative Adjectives

Quantitative adjectives give us the lowdown on quantity and how much of something we're talking about. When you need to count or measure things, quantitative adjectives have your back. 

For example:

1. He has three adorable kittens playing in his garden.
2. She bought many books for her bookshelf.
3. I only need a few minutes to finish this task.

4. Numeral Adjectives

Numeral adjectives are all about numbers. They tell us the exact number or the order of a noun in a sequence. When you want to be specific about numbers, numeral adjectives are your go-to. 

For example:

1. He ate two slices of pizza for lunch.
2. She finished in third place in the swimming competition.
3. The school has ten buses for transportation.

5. Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives show ownership and tell us who or what the noun belongs to. When you want to claim something as yours, possessive adjectives are here to help. 

For example:

1. My laptop is on the desk.
2. Your phone is ringing; you should answer it.
3. His favorite toy is the red car.

6. Interrogative Adjectives

Interrogative adjectives are the curious ones. They help us ask questions about nouns. When you're inquisitive and seeking information, interrogative adjectives come to the rescue. 

For example:

1. Which book are you reading?
2. Whose bag is this?
3. What color is your new car?

7. Indefinite Adjectives

Indefinite adjectives keep things open-ended. They refer to non-specific or unknown nouns. When you're not sure about the specifics, indefinite adjectives come to your aid. 

For example:

1. He has several friends from different countries.
2. We have some ice cream left in the freezer.
3. She has many hobbies, including painting and dancing.

8. Proper Adjectives

Proper adjectives are special because they are derived from proper nouns. They describe specific qualities related to a particular person, place, or thing. These adjectives have a touch of uniqueness, derived from proper nouns. 

For example:

1. The Italian pizza was scrumptious.
2. We visited the Shakespearean theater in London.
3. The Olympic athletes displayed incredible skills.

5. Degrees of Adjectives

Every adjective has three degrees to express the intensity of an adjective.

1. Positive : In this degree of an adjective quality is described.

e.g. John is a tall boy.

2. Comparative : In this degree of an adjective two persons or two things are compared.

e.g. John is taller than Sam.

3. Superlative : In this degree of an adjective superior form is described.

e.g. John is tallest of all boys.  

 

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Good	Better	Best
Small	Smaller	Smallest
Happy	Happier	Happiest
Beautiful	More beautiful	Most beautiful
Interesting	More interesting	Most interesting

Adjectives are the spice of language, bringing life, color, and excitement to our conversations. They are the magical ingredients that turn ordinary sentences into extraordinary expressions. So, let's celebrate the power of adjectives and have fun playing with these incredible words in our daily communication!

See also : Articles A, An and The

See also : Types of Adjectives

See also : Verb

6. Adjective Worksheet/ Exercise

Instructions: Read each sentence carefully and identify the adjectives. Write the adjectives you find in the space provided.

Questions:

1. The happy children played in the playground.

Adjectives: ______________

2. The old, rusty car sat abandoned by the roadside.

Adjectives: ______________

3. Sarah bought a beautiful, floral dress for the party.

Adjectives: ______________

4. The curious cat explored the mysterious, dark alley.

Adjectives: ______________

5. The diligent student completed the challenging assignment.

Adjectives: ______________

 

Answers:

1. Adjectives: happy
2. Adjectives: old, rusty
3. Adjectives: beautiful, floral
4. Adjectives: curious, mysterious, dark
5. Adjectives: diligent, challenging

Adjective FAQs

1. What is an adjective?

An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. Examples include "happy," "blue," "tall," and "interesting."

2. What are the different types of adjectives?

There are several types of adjectives, including descriptive adjectives, quantitative adjectives, demonstrative adjectives, possessive adjectives, interrogative adjectives, and proper adjectives.

3. What is a descriptive adjective?

A descriptive adjective describes the quality, size, color, shape, or other attributes of a noun. Examples include "red," "large," "beautiful," and "old."

4. What is a quantitative adjective?

A quantitative adjective indicates the quantity or amount of a noun. Examples include "some," "many," "few," "several," and "three."

5. What is a demonstrative adjective?

A demonstrative adjective points to specific nouns and includes "this," "that," "these," and "those." For example, in "this book," "this" is a demonstrative adjective.

6. What is a possessive adjective?

A possessive adjective shows ownership or possession and includes "my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," and "their." For example, in "my car," "my" is a possessive adjective.

7. What is an interrogative adjective?

An interrogative adjective is used to ask questions about nouns and includes "which," "what," and "whose." For example, in "which dress," "which" is an interrogative adjective.

8. What is a proper adjective?

A proper adjective is derived from a proper noun and is usually capitalized. Examples include "American" (from America), "French" (from France), and "Shakespearean" (from Shakespeare).

9. How do you form the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives?

For most one-syllable adjectives, add "-er" for the comparative form and "-est" for the superlative form (e.g., "tall," "taller," "tallest"). For most adjectives with two or more syllables, use "more" for the comparative and "most" for the superlative (e.g., "beautiful," "more beautiful," "most beautiful"). Some adjectives have irregular forms, such as "good," "better," and "best."

10. Can adjectives be used in different positions within a sentence?

Yes, adjectives can be used before the noun they modify (attributive position) as in "a happy child," or after the noun they modify, usually following a linking verb (predicative position) as in "the child is happy."