THE ADJECTIVE

Definition: An adjective is a word that shows the characteristics of a noun or a pronoun.

Position towards a noun:
- before the noun: He's got a beautiful car.
- after the noun: The car is beautiful.
Car = noun
Beautiful = adjective
Types of the adjectives according to word formation:
1. Short:
- simple: large, tall, bright;
2. Long:
- derived: ir- + response + -ible = irresponsible student
prefix noun suffix
amuse + -ed = amused girl
verb suffix
amaze + -ing = amazing child
verb suffix
please + -ant = pleasant evening
verb suffix
compete + - ent = competent pharmacyst    
verb suffix
- compound: adjective + noun = part-time worker
adjective + adjective = dark blue sky
adjective + verb ended in -ing = good-looking woman
adverb + verb ended in -ing = everlasting love
adverb + verb ended in –en = well-known place
noun + noun = snow-white princess
noun + verb ended in –en = snow-covered mountain
noun + verb ended in –ing = heart-breaking moment

Degrees of comparison:

Name of comparison degree Short Long

Positive Tall Irresponsible
Comparative of inferiority Less Tall Than Less Irresponsible Than
equality As Tall As As Irresponsible As
superiority Taller Than More Irresponsible
Superlative absolute Very Tall Very Irresponsible
relative Tallest Most Irresponsible

Existential adjectives don’t get degrees of comparison like: dead; alive.

Colours don’t get degrees of comparison but receive other words like: light blue; dark blue.
Irregular adjectives: - use completely different forms in their comparative of superiority and
superlative relative degrees of comparison.

Positive Comparative of superiority Superlative relative

Bad Worse Worst
Good Better Best
Far Further Furthest
Old Elder Eldest
Little Less Least
Late Latter Last
Much More Most