1.1.4 Adjectives

Adjective: An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun.

We use them to give details about something or someone. A red bus. A tall girl. In these sentences, red and tall are adjectives, because they describe the bus and the girl. Adjectives add details to make sentences clearer or more interesting. Look closely at how adjectives are used in these sentences.

A screwdriver is a useful tool. 

Arjun is wearing a yellow shirt. 

Radha lives in a lovely house. 

Kinds of Adjectives:

Adjectives of Quality: show the kind or quality of a person or thing.

Examples:

Kolkata is a large city.

He is an honest man.

The foolish old crow tried to sing.

This is the Grammar of the English language.

Adjectives of Quality answer the question : Of what kind ?

Adjectives of Quantity: describe the quantity of something.

Examples:

I ate some rice.       

He showed much patience.

He has little intelligence

We have had enough exercise.

He has lost all his wealth.

You have no sense.

He did not eat any rice.  

Take great care of your health.

He claimed his half share of the booty.

There has not been sufficient rain this year.

The whole sum was expended.

Adjectives of Quantity answer the question: How much?

Adjectives of Number: show how many persons or things are meant, or in what order a person or thing stands.

Examples:

Each hand has five fingers.

Few cats like cold water.

There are no pictures in this book.

I have taught you many things.

All men must die.

Here are some ripe mangoes.

Most boys like cricket.

There are several mistakes in your exercise.

Sunday is the first day of the week

Demonstrative adjectives: point to “which” noun or pronoun you’re speaking about. These four words will help you spot demonstrative adjectives -this, that, these, those.

Example:

This lady is stronger than Maha.

That boy is industrious.

These books are good.

Those girls must be encouraged.

Demonstrative Adjectives answer the question: Which?

Interrogative Adjectives: Interrogative adjectives pose a question. They need a noun or pronoun by their side.

Example:

What colour dress was the man in?

Which way shall we go?

Whose book is this?

Exercise with Answers:

1. Select the appropriate describing word 

1. Pooja has _______ hair. She wants to cut it off. (a) long (b) short 

2. Asif is a _________ boy. His mother always scolds him. (a) naughty (b) good

3. Samuel loves his mother’s food the most. She’s a _______ cook. (a) bad (b) great 

4. Iniyan is a good dancer. In fact, he’s the ________ dancer in his group. (a) worst (b) best 

5. Gomathi is a __________ singer. She is going to win the competition. (a) bad (b) wonderful

Answers:

1. a 2. a 3. b 4. b 5. b

2. Complete the dialogue by using suitable adjectives in the blanks.

Sinduja: Hi! Venkat. Hope you received the message about our school’s sports day.

Venkat: Hmmm…! Yes… I was the 1_____ one to enrol my name in the events.

Sinduja: So, tell me for how 2_____ events have you enrolled?

Venkat: I have enrolled myself only in a 3_____ events. 

Sinduja: What are they?

Venkat: As I am tall, I have given my name for 4_____ jump and running events.

Sinduja: That’s 5_____ to hear.

Venkat: What about you, Sinduja?

Sinduja: I have decided to participate in 6_____ the events.

Venkat: Hey!! That’s 7_____. Expecting the best from you.

Sinduja: Thank you so 8_____ Venkat. Wish you the same. Let’s rock.

Answers:

1.first

2.many

3.few

4.long

5.excellent

6.all

7.good

8.much