ADJECTIVE
An adjective is a word used to describe a noun or pronoun. Or in other way it can be said that an adjective says something more about a noun or pronoun.I am a good boy. This is an old building. He is a rich man. He has written an interesting story.
TWO USES OF ADJECTIVES:
A) Attributive (Adjective + Noun): when an adjective is used close to and before a noun it is called attributive adjective. Example: this is a red pen. Ram is a good boy.
Former and olden are always used attributively.
B) Predicative (Be Verb + Adjective): When an adjective is used after verb, it is called predicative adjective. Example: This pen is red. Ram is good. He is honest.
Some adjectives are only used predicatively. Alone, asleep, afraid, alike, aloof, alive, ashamed, awake, aware, content, etc. example: I am afraid. The baby is asleep. He was awake.
CLASIFICATION OF ADJECTIVES
PROPER ADJECTIVES: Proper adjectives are derived from proper nouns. India….Indian, Islam….Islamic, Bangladesh…..Bangladeshi, Shakespeare…..Shakespearean, Italy….Italian, Japan….Japanese, America….American etc.
QUALITATIVE ADJECTIVES: the adjectives that describe the quality or state of a thing or a person. Good, brave, honest, ill, well, weak, strong, healthy, heavy, beautiful, happy, lucky, large etc.
QUANTATIVE: Denoting quantity of things or persons. Example: Some, little, many, single, any, few, all, whole, much etc.
NUMERAL: Denoting number and order of persons or things. Example: one, two, tree, thirty, sixty, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, last etc. There are ten boys. He is the first girl.
DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES: Denoting particular person or thing. Example: This, that, these, those, such, same, certain etc.
DISTRIBUTVE ADJECTIVES: Refer to each one of a number. Example: each, every, either, neither…….Each boy has been given a pen. Every student has done very well in the examination.
INTERROGATIVE ADJECTIVES: Adjectives that ask questions. Example: which, whose, what. Which color do you like? Whose daughter are you? What time was it then?
POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES: Denoting ownership. Example: my, his, your, their, her, our, its etc. My books, His house, Their school.
EMPHASISING ADJECTIVES: Example: very and own. This is the very book that I wanted. My own garden is my own garden.
PARICIPLE ADJECTIVES: Participle adjectives are those which are derived from verbs. There are two types of participle adjectives.
(PRESENT PARTICIPLE: VERB +ING) when works as an adjective. Example: do not try to catch a running (run+ ing) train. This is a blooming flower (bloom+ ing). NOTE: Always very is used with present participle. He has written a very interesting story.
PAST PARTICIPLE: (verb +de/ en/ t) when works as adjective. Where is the deserted house? A broken cup is lying on the table. NOTE: Always much is used with past participle. I am much disgusted with the situation.
DEGREES OF ADJECTIVES
POSITIVE DEGREE: It is used when two things or persons are said to be equal in quality. He is as strong as his brother. The man is as tall as you.
Rule of sentence formation: Sub+ verb+ as + adj1 + as+ noun/ pronoun.
COMPERATIVE DEGREE: It is used when two things or persons are compared. He is stronger than his brother. Pine is taller than any other tree is the forest. I am more intelligent than you.
Rule of sentence formation: Sub+ verb+ adj2+ than+ noun/ pronoun. Or
Sub+ verb+ more/ less adj1+ than+ noun/ pronoun.
SUPERLATIVE DEGREE: It denotes the highest degree of the quality. Pine is the tallest tree in the forest. This is the oldest temple in the village. She is the most attractive girl in the class.
Rule of sentence formation: Sub + verb+ the + adj3 + in/of + noun/ pronoun.
Sub + verb+ the most/ the least + adj1 + in/of + noun/ pronoun.
Some more rules in the use of degree of adjectives
1. After ‘than’ and ‘as’ subjective form of the pronoun is used. Ex. He is taller than I (am). But not than me. I love you more than she (loves you). Not more than her.
2. Object of comparison must be same. Two different objects cannot be compared. Ex: The climate of Pune is better than that of Kolkata. (Not better than Kolkata). My book is older than that of yours. (Not older than you).
3. Adjectives of different degrees cannot be joined by ‘and’: He is the tallest and strong boy (wrong). He is the tallest and stronger boy (wrong). He is the tallest and strongest boy. (right)
4. Double comparatives and double superlatives cannot be used together. Ex: He is more taller than his brother (wrong). He is taller than his brother (right). Rama is the most tallest boy in the class (wrong). Rama is the tallest boy in the class (right).
5. When more and most join two adjectives, the must agree with the both. Ex: The man is more intelligent and wise (wrong). The man is wiser and more intelligent (right).
6. When two qualities in the same person or thing are compared ‘er’ form is not used. More+ adjective1 is used. Ex: Mr. Sharma is braver than wise (wrong). Mr. Sharma is more brave than wise (right).
7. When two forms of adjectives are used, they must be in complete form. One incomplete form cannot be used. Ex: The boy is as good, if not better than his brother (wrong). The boy is as good as, if not better than his brother (right).
8. When two things are compared, superlative degree is not used. Ex: He is the best of the two boys (wrong). He is the better of the two boys (right). Who is the tallest: Jon or Brown? (wrong). Who is the better: Jon or Brown? (right).
RULES TO FORM COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
1. One syllable adjective + er/ est. tall taller tallest.
Small smaller smallest.
2. Adjectives ending in ‘e’ + r/st: wise wiser wisest.
Brave braver bravest.
3. Adjectives ending in a consonant + y. The final y changes into ‘I’ er/ est.
Happy happier happiest
Busy busier busiest.
4. Adjectives ending in one vowel + consonant. The final consonant is doubled.
Big bigger biggest
Hot hotter hottest.
5. More than one syllable adjective. More/ most.
Innocent more innocent most innocent.
Beautiful more beautiful most beautiful.
6. Irregular adjectives. Positive comparative superlative
Good better best
Bad/ill/evil worse worst
Little less least
Much/many more most
Far farther farthest
Late later latest (time)
Near nearer nearest
Old older oldest
Old elder eldest
Late latter last (position)
7. Latin adjectives: inferior, interior, exterior, superior, prior, minor, senior, junior, ulterior, major, anterior, posterior. After them ‘than’ is not used. ‘To’ is used. He is senior to me.
8. Adjectives without comparative forms: down….downmost, eastern….easternmost, head…headmost, southern….southernmost, top…topmost, western…,.westernmost.
9. Adjectives without positive forms: further….furthest, inner…innermost, utter….uttermost, upper…uppermost. Outer….outmost.
ORDER OF ADJECTIVS
When two or more adjectives are used in a sentence, a proper order is followed.
A) Size, b) general description, c) age and little, d) shape, e) color, f) material, g) origin, h) purpose.
Example: A round old table(wrong). An old round table (right).
A wooden red costly chair (wrong). A costly red wooden chair (right).
A brown lazy dog (wrong). A lazy brown dog (right).
An Indian famous restaurant (wrong). A famous Indian restaurant (right).
Little + old. He is a little old boy.
Little + young (incorrect)
Adjectives of emotion or personality can precede or follow old or young…. An ambitious old man. or an old ambitious man.
Nice, lovely, fine, beautiful + size. A fine large garden