English Adjectives

1. Pretty girl. Here, “girl” is a noun. But to describe it more specifically, “pretty” is used. Hence, “pretty” is an adjective.
2. Sumit is an intelligent boy. Here, the specification of the noun“boy” is that he is intelligent. Hence,“intelligent” is an adjective.
3. I have an elder brother. “elder” reflects the age of noun “brother”. Hence,“elder” is an adjective.
4. Roses in my garden are red. “red” reflects the colour of the noun “roses”. Hence,“red“is an adjective.
5. Kusum’s dress was awesome. Word “Awesome” describes the noun“dress”. Hence,“awesome” is an adjective.
6. Everyone should follow a healthy diet. Word “healthy” is a specification of the noun “diet”. Hence,“healthy” is an adjective.

These are the most common adjectives which frame the basic definition of adjectives. Descriptive adjectives are the attributes or the qualities of a noun or a pronoun.

Examples:

• beautiful painting
• pretty girl
• silly question
• bad performance
• naughty kid

Demonstrative adjectives clearly indicate or point out specific noun or pronoun. It basically describes ‘which’ noun has been referred.

• This: it is used to describe nearby singular nouns.
• That: it is used to describe far off singular nouns.
• These: it is used to describe nearby plural nouns.
• Those: it is used to describe far off plural nouns.

Examples:

• this boy
• that chair
• those kids
• these toys

Possessive adjectives reflect ownership of the noun or the pronoun. These words describe a relationship of belonging i.e. to whom it refers to.

Some other possessive adjectives are:  my, his, her , their, your, our, etc. Except “his”, none of these adjectives can be used after noun unless and until they are modified.

For example, Her- hers, his-his, my–mine, your- yours, their- theirs, our-ours,etc.

Examples:

This is my dog.
OR
This dog is mine.

They are also known as number adjectives. Quantitative adjectives clearly denote the number of the nouns or pronouns.

Examples:

• ten books
• two dresses
• hundred runs

These adjectives are used to describe nouns which are not specified. They don’t reflect the exact amount or quantity.

Examples:

• many schools
• few people
• any pen
• some fruits

These adjectives are basically used to ask questions. Mainly three types of interrogative adjectives are used for referring to nouns. They are “which”,“what” and“whose”.

Examples:

• Which dress?
• Whose pen?
• What time?

Though we study Articles as a separate part of speech, still they are considered adjectives as they are used to describe particularly which noun has been referred to. The three articles are:
A: It is used for singular as well as general things.
An: It is also used for singular and general things . But it is used before only those words that start with a vowel.
The: It is used for both singular as well as plural but specific things.

Examples:

• a ball
• a girl
• an apple
• an umbrella
• the sun
• I don’t understand the concept. Here, we are talking about a particular concept. Hence,“ the” is used as an adjective.

These adjectives are mainly used when we seclude one or more items from the whole group. When we talk about secluding items, it can be acceptance as well as non-acceptance.

Examples:

• each
• either
• none
• any
• neither
• Neither of the two was selected.
• Each girl sang National Anthem.

You can use our free English learning app which helps you to come across a lot of important English topics that in turn help you to improve your English basics.