Definition
An adjective is a word used with a noun ( or a pronoun) to add something for its meaning.
- Attributively – when it is used along with the noun as an epithet or attribute; for example, There were dark clouds in the sky.
- Predicatively – when it forms part of the predicate; for example, The clouds in the sky were dark.
The adjective is correctly used with a verb when some quality of the subject rather than of the action of the verb, is to be expressed.
Due to and prior to should be used as predicative adjectives. When prepositional functions are to be performed, use because of in place of due to, and before in place of prior to.
Kinds of Adjective
1. Adjective of Quality
Also known as Descriptive Adjective, it shows the kind of quality of a person or a thing.
He loves her soft skin.
2. Adjective of Quantity
It is an adjective which shows how much of a thing is meant.
There is little sense in it.
3. Adjective of Number
Also known as Numeral Adjective, it shows how many persons or things are meant, or in what order a person or a thing stands.
The face of a clock has sixty divisions.
Numeral Adjectives are of three kinds
(i) Definite Numeral Adjective
It denotes an exact number. It may be a cardinal denoting how many; as, one, two, three, etc. It may be an ordinal denoting the order, as first, second, third etc.
When a number together with a unit of measurement is to be used as an adjective, it is a compound word and the unit of measurement is taken in the singular.
Definite Numeral Adjective always takes plural countable noun.
If in a sentence one noun is used for all ordinals and the first ordinal has 'the' while, other not, the noun will be in the plural.
(ii) Indefinite Numeral Adjective
It does not denote an exact number. There are many petitions lying on the tables.
Many takes plural noun while Many a/an singular noun.
The few is used before plural countable noun and the little before uncountable noun. Both follow a clause.
(iii) Distributive Numeral Adjective
It refers to each one of a number. Distributive numeral adjectives are the same as distributive pronouns. They only differ in function. Each time he missed the bus.
4. Demonstrative Adjective
It points out which person or thing is meant. This table is made of wood.
The plural forms these and those are often wrongly used with the singular nouns kind and sort.
5. Interrogative Adjective
When an interrogative pronoun is used with a noun to ask a question, it is called an interrogative adjective. What options are available after graduation?
6. Exclamatory adjective
It is used with a noun in exclamatory sentence. What a show!
Confusing Words
Later, latter, latest, last: Later and latest refer to time. Latter and last refer to position.
Elder, older, eldest, oldest: Elder and eldest are used of members of the same family and only attributively (before the noun). Older and oldest are used in the general sense.
In a town there may be so many families. We are talking of boys in general sense. So eldest should be replaced by oldest.
Degree of Comparison
Degrees are of three kinds.
- Positive Degree
- Comparative Degree
- Superlative Degree
When a selection is made out of the two, and two is given in the sentence, the is used before the adjective denoting comparison.
Preferable takes to and is not preceded by more.
When two adjectives in different degrees of comparison are used in the same sentence, each should be complete in itself.
If two adjectives are connected by and, they should be in the same degree throughout.
The comparative in -er is not used when we compare two qualities of the same person or thing.
When two objects are compared with each other, the latter term of comparison must exclude the former.
The comparative degree is generally followed by than but the following comparative adjectives are followed by the preposition to: inferior, superior, prior, anterior, posterior, senior, junior.
Adjectives expressing qualities that do not admit of different degrees cannot be compared.
Double comparatives and superlatives are to be avoided.
