Adjective

Word that describes or qualifies a noun

An adjective is a part of speech that modifies a noun or a pronoun by providing additional information about its referent. Adjectives are one of the major word classes in most languages, including English. They typically describe qualities, quantities, or states of being.

Types of Adjectives

Adjectives can be categorized into several types based on their function and meaning:

• Descriptive Adjectives: These adjectives describe the qualities of a noun. For example, in the phrase "a red apple," "red" is a descriptive adjective.
• Quantitative Adjectives: These adjectives indicate the quantity of a noun. For example, "some," "many," and "few" are quantitative adjectives.
• Demonstrative Adjectives: These adjectives point out specific nouns. Examples include "this," "that," "these," and "those."
• Possessive Adjectives: These adjectives show ownership or possession. Examples include "my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," and "their."
• Interrogative Adjectives: These adjectives are used in questions. Examples include "which," "what," and "whose."
• Distributive Adjectives: These adjectives refer to individual members of a group. Examples include "each," "every," "either," and "neither."

Position in a Sentence

Adjectives can appear in different positions within a sentence:

• Attributive Position: When an adjective is placed before the noun it modifies, it is in the attributive position. For example, "a beautiful garden."
• Predicative Position: When an adjective is placed after a linking verb and describes the subject, it is in the predicative position. For example, "The garden is beautiful."

Comparison of Adjectives

Adjectives can be used to compare nouns. There are three degrees of comparison:

• Positive Degree: The base form of the adjective, used when no comparison is being made. For example, "tall."
• Comparative Degree: Used to compare two nouns, typically formed by adding "-er" to the adjective or using "more" before it. For example, "taller" or "more beautiful."
• Superlative Degree: Used to compare three or more nouns, typically formed by adding "-est" to the adjective or using "most" before it. For example, "tallest" or "most beautiful."

Related Pages

• Noun
• Pronoun
• Verb
• Adverb
• Preposition
• Conjunction
• Interjection
• Grammar
• Syntax

See Also

• Part of speech
• Word class
• Linking verb