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Definition of Adjectives:
Used to describe the nouns (person, place, animal or thing) and pronouns in a sentence.
It also indicates the number, quality, size, shape, and feelings etc of a noun or pronoun.
What kind? How many? Which one? How much? Are a few questions that tell more about an adjective.
Degrees of Adjectives
Comparative Degree – An adjective is said to be in the comparative degree when it is used to compare two nouns or
pronouns.
Superlative Degree – An adjective is said to be in the superlative degree when it is used to compare more than
two nouns or pronouns.
Types of Adjectives:
1. Descriptive Objectives
As the name suggests, these are words that describe nouns and pronouns. In other words, it adds an attribute to the
nouns/pronouns. They are also known as Qualitative Adjectives.
Examples:
I have a fast car. (The word ‘fast’ is describing an attribute of the car)
2. Quantitative Adjectives
The quantity of the nouns or pronouns is defined by quantitative adjectives. The question ‘how much?’ and ‘how many?’
is addressed by this type.
Examples:
3. Proper Adjectives
Proper nouns modifying or describing other nouns/pronouns become proper adjectives. It means ‘specific’ or particular.
Examples:
I love Burger King’s burgers.
4. Demonstrative Adjective
Reference to something or someone is pointed out by Demonstrative Adjectives. The words: this, that, these, those are
used as Demonstrative Adjectives.
Examples:
This notebook is mine.
(‘This’ refers to a singular noun close to the speaker)
5. Possessive Adjectives
Possession or ownership is described by this adjective. The ownership of something to someone/something is pointed
out. The most common words used: my, his, her, our, their, your.
Examples:
6. Interrogative Adjectives
This adjective asks a Question. The adjective is followed by a noun or a pronoun. The most common words are: which,
what, whose.
Examples:
Whose bullet is this?
7. Indefinite Adjectives
A non-specific modification of a noun is done by this one. Provides indefinite information about the noun. The common
words are few, many, much, most, all, any, each, every, either, nobody, several, some, etc.
Examples:
8. Compound Adjectives
When compound nouns modify other nouns, they become compound adjectives. They can be recognized by a hyphen or
joined together with a quotation mark.
Examples:
I have a broken-down mattress.
9. Absolute Adjectives
An Absolute Adjective is an adjective with a meaning that is generally not capable of being intensified or compared. Also
known as an incomparable, ultimate, or absolute modifier. According to some style guides, absolute adjectives are
always in the superlative degree. However, some absolute adjectives can be quantified by the addition of the word
almost, nearly, or virtually.
Examples:
He is dead. (We cannot use “dead” in a comparative sense; i.e. we cannot say “He is deader than me.”)
That gem is unique. (We cannot use “more unique” as the word “unique” itself means “one of a kind”.)