Difference between revisions of "Adjective"
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An '''adjective''' is a [[:Category:Grammar|part of speech]] which modifies a noun, usually describing it or making its meaning more specific. | An '''adjective''' is a [[:Category:Grammar|part of speech]] which modifies a noun, usually describing it or making its meaning more specific. | ||
| − | Example | + | {{ExampleBox|50%|#ffffaa|left|Example| |
| + | *'''green grass''' (the adjective "green" describes the noun "grass")}} | ||
There are three kinds of adjectives known as the positive, comparative, and superlative forms, as in green, greener, greenest. | There are three kinds of adjectives known as the positive, comparative, and superlative forms, as in green, greener, greenest. | ||
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Some nouns can be made into an adjective by adding an ending such as -ish, -like, -ly, -y, -en, -al, -ar, -ory. | Some nouns can be made into an adjective by adding an ending such as -ish, -like, -ly, -y, -en, -al, -ar, -ory. | ||
| − | + | {{ExampleBox|50%|#ffffaa|left|Examples| | |
| − | + | * He spoke in a childish manner. | |
| − | + | * My, what a womanly figure you have. | |
| − | + | * His teeth were yellowish in color. | |
| − | + | * He was sitting at a wooden desk. | |
| − | + | * He works at the Postal Office. | |
| − | + | * What a spectacular show! | |
| − | + | * Our program is going through a transitory period.}} | |
Often, the endings -en and -al will be dropped, and the noun form will be used by itself, as in oak table, wool shirt, and, coast line. | Often, the endings -en and -al will be dropped, and the noun form will be used by itself, as in oak table, wool shirt, and, coast line. | ||
== Adjectives that modify an object == | == Adjectives that modify an object == | ||
| − | Adjectives such as like and worth may be used to modify objects. | + | Adjectives such as ''like'' and ''worth'' may be used to modify objects. |
| − | + | {{ExampleBox|50%|#ffffaa|left|Examples| | |
| − | + | * Stale bread tastes ''like'' Styrofoam. | |
| − | + | * Your textbook is ''worth'' one dollar.}} | |
Sometimes prepositions like "of" and "with" are used to form adjectives. | Sometimes prepositions like "of" and "with" are used to form adjectives. | ||
| − | + | {{ExampleBox|50%|#ffffaa|left|Examples| | |
| − | + | * She is fearful ''of'' dogs. | |
| − | + | * Sometimes parents can be impatient ''with'' you.}} | |
== Numbers as adjectives == | == Numbers as adjectives == | ||
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When using more than one adjective to modify a noun, the adjectives may be separated by a conjunction or by commas. | When using more than one adjective to modify a noun, the adjectives may be separated by a conjunction or by commas. | ||
| − | + | {{ExampleBox|50%|#ffffaa|left|Examples| | |
| − | + | * Your teeth are strong and beautiful. | |
| − | + | * You have strong, beautiful teeth.}} | |
== Compound adjectives == | == Compound adjectives == | ||
Nouns and adjectives may be combined to modify another noun, in which case the word can be hyphenated (although the hyphen is often a matter of personal preference). | Nouns and adjectives may be combined to modify another noun, in which case the word can be hyphenated (although the hyphen is often a matter of personal preference). | ||
| − | + | {{ExampleBox|50%|#ffffaa|left|Examples| | |
| − | + | * He is a ''warm-hearted'' fellow. | |
| − | + | * I can be ''empty-headed'' sometimes.}} | |
Past participles of verbs can also be used as adjectives, such as native born, foreign made, soft spoken, warmly dressed, well behaved, and so on. | Past participles of verbs can also be used as adjectives, such as native born, foreign made, soft spoken, warmly dressed, well behaved, and so on. | ||
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It is possible to use an adjective as a noun by simply using the adjective as the subject and omitting the noun it modifies. Usually, adjectives used as nouns refer to a specific quality shared by a group (the pleasant) or a specific human characteristic shared by a group of people (the wise). | It is possible to use an adjective as a noun by simply using the adjective as the subject and omitting the noun it modifies. Usually, adjectives used as nouns refer to a specific quality shared by a group (the pleasant) or a specific human characteristic shared by a group of people (the wise). | ||
| − | + | {{ExampleBox|50%|#ffffaa|left|Example| | |
| − | + | * We moderns are to the ancients what the poor are to the rich.}} | |
== External links == | == External links == | ||
Latest revision as of 21:20, 5 September 2006
An adjective is a part of speech which modifies a noun, usually describing it or making its meaning more specific.
| Example |
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There are three kinds of adjectives known as the positive, comparative, and superlative forms, as in green, greener, greenest.
Adjectives can be grouped into seven categories:
- nouns as adjectives
- adjectives that modify an object
- numbers as adjectives
- pronouns and articles as adjectives
- multiple adjectives
- compound adjectives
- adjectives used as nouns
Contents
Nouns as adjectives
A noun can be used to qualify (or describe) another noun, as in goose feathers, in which case there are no comparative or superlative forms such as "gooser" or "goosest."
Some nouns can be made into an adjective by adding an ending such as -ish, -like, -ly, -y, -en, -al, -ar, -ory.
| Examples |
|
Often, the endings -en and -al will be dropped, and the noun form will be used by itself, as in oak table, wool shirt, and, coast line.
Adjectives that modify an object
Adjectives such as like and worth may be used to modify objects.
| Examples |
|
Sometimes prepositions like "of" and "with" are used to form adjectives.
| Examples |
|
Numbers as adjectives
Any words related to number are considered adjectives, including "two," "twenty," "few," "many," "dozen," "third," and so on.
Pronouns and articles as adjectives
Pronouns such as "this," "that," and "those" used to modify a noun are called demonstrative adjectives.
Possessive pronouns such as "my," "your," and "his" used to modify a noun are called possessive adjectives.
Articles such as "a," "an," and "the" are also adjectives.
Multiple adjectives
When using more than one adjective to modify a noun, the adjectives may be separated by a conjunction or by commas.
| Examples |
|
Compound adjectives
Nouns and adjectives may be combined to modify another noun, in which case the word can be hyphenated (although the hyphen is often a matter of personal preference).
| Examples |
|
Past participles of verbs can also be used as adjectives, such as native born, foreign made, soft spoken, warmly dressed, well behaved, and so on.
Adjectives used as nouns
It is possible to use an adjective as a noun by simply using the adjective as the subject and omitting the noun it modifies. Usually, adjectives used as nouns refer to a specific quality shared by a group (the pleasant) or a specific human characteristic shared by a group of people (the wise).
| Example |
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