Basic English Grammar :ADJECTIVES PART 1

Adjectives describe the aspects of nouns. When an adjective is describing a noun, we say it is “modifying” it. Adjectives can:

• Describe feelings or qualities.                        Example: They are honest.
• Give nationality or origin.                              Example: I heard a French song.
• Tell more about a thing’s characteristics.   Example: The knife is sharp.
• Tell us about age.                                             Example: My coat is old.
• Tell us about size and measurement.          Example: This film is long.
• Tell us about color.                                         Example: Paul wore a red shirt.
• Tell us what something is made of.             Example: The table is wooden.
• Tell us about shape.                                        Example: I sat at a round table
• Express a judgment or a value.                    Example: That was a fantastic film.

USING ADJECTIVES IN ENGLISH

Adjectives in English are invariable. They do not change their form depending on the gender or number of the noun.

Example: This is a hot potato.

To emphasize or strengthen the meaning of an adjective, use the adverbs very or really in front of the adjective you want to strengthen.

Example: This is a very hot potato

Adjectives in English usually appear in front of the noun that they modify.

Example: The beautiful girl ignored me

Adjectives can also appear after being and sensing verbs like to be, to seem, to look & to taste.

Example: I don’t think she seems nice at all.

ORDERING MULTIPLE ADJECTIVES

When a number of adjectives are used together, the order depends on the function of the adjective. The usual order is:

Quantity, Value/opinion, Size, Temperature, Age, Shape, Colour, Origin, Material

What the adjective                       Examples

expresses

Quantity                               four, ten, a few, several

Value/Opinion                   delicious, charming, beautiful

Size                                       tall, tiny, huge

Temperature                       hot, cold

Age                                        old, young, new, 14-year-old

Shape                                    square, round

Color                                     red, purple, green

Origin                                   Swedish, Victorian, Chinese

Material                                glass, silver, wooden

EXAMPLES

• They have a lovely old red post-box.
• The playroom has six small round plastic tables.

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