Adjectives
There are eight or nine (or more) parts of speech, depending on what you read.
Some authorities list nine parts of speech. Those authorities which list
eight consider determiners (articles, quantifiers, etc) as adjectives.
This site lists nine parts of speech.
To determine what part of speech a particular word is it must be looked at in the context
of the sentence. Many words may be a different part of speech in different sentences.
Look at these examples.
Mr. Elliot feels well. (Adverb).
She is not a well woman. (Adjective)
Well! What happened. (Interjection)
He dropped his hat into a well. (Noun)
Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns and pronouns by providing more information
about the nouns they describe. Adjectives also modify or limit nouns by making it clearer
which one or how many are being talked about. Adjectives are usually placed before
but can be placed after) the nouns they modify. They can also be placed after the verb.
She is hungry.
The big red car is beautiful.
I want only one large egg.
Comparative and Superlative Forms
Adjectives have different forms, called comparatives and superlatives.
The comparative is used to indicate relative degrees or differences of quality between
two objects.
Comparatives are formed by either adding -er or -ier to the end of a word. (add -er if the>
word ends in a consonant, add -ier if the word ends in a y by changing the y to i and
add -er) or by adding more or less before the word.
The superlative is used to indicate the highest or lowest degree of quality between objects.
Superlatives are formed by adding -est to the end of the word or by adding most or least
before the word. The word ‘the’always precedes the superlative form of an adjective.
A simple rule to follow when deciding whether to use -er (-ier) or add more/less
for comparisons) or -est or most/least (for superlatives) is:
If the word is three or more syllables, use more/less or most/least.
If the word is two syllables or less use -er (-ier ) or –est (iest).
Just remember that this simple rule is a guideline only, with many exceptions. Usually,
comparatives are learned through becoming familiar with them over time.
Adjective Comparative Superlative
old older the oldest
pretty prettier the prettiest
skinny skinnier the skinniest
beautiful more beautiful the most beautiful
handsome more handsome the most handsome
Some words, which are not usually considered adjectives, become adjectives based on
their place in the sentence.
Nouns as Adjectives
I always use paper towels when I clean windows.
Teasing a junkyard dog is a bad idea.
Numbers as Adjectives
I want only one egg.
She has four crayons on her desk.
Possessive words (possessive adjectives) as adjectives
It is my car.
Where are your shoes?
Demonstrative Adjective
Demonstrative pronouns are called demonstrative adjectives if the pronoun is placed
immediately before the noun they refer to).
I want those pencils.
This bicycle is old and rusty.
Order of Adjectives
Although there are no hard and fast rules about the order of adjectives (if more than one
adjective is used to describe it), the following order is generally observed. However, be
aware that different sources may have a slightly different order.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Number size/length opinion shape/width age color nationality material
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
The two small, beautiful, oval, ancient, red, Chinese porcelain vases are priceless.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Three large, ugly, oblong, million year old, brown, North American dinosaur fossils were
discovered in Wyoming.
