The Adjective

Just like the verb, the adjectives also play an important part in a sentence. There are different kinds of adjectives. We shall see these in this chapter.

What is an adjective?

An adjective is a word which is used with a noun / pronoun to add something to its meaning. (adjective = added to)

Example:

1. Solomon was a wise king.
2. The tall boy climbed up the tree.
3. The brave soldier was awarded.
4. I bought a very big house.
5. Michael is a clever boy in this class.

Quality	Show the kind / quality of a person or thing.	good big wise large small clever tall short
Quantity	Uncountable	some water some rice all the wealth
Quantity - Number	Countable	some boys some girls all men few persons.
Definite Cardinal - Number	Denotes the number (how many)	one two three four five six ....
Definite Ordinal - Order	Denotes the order. (the order of things)	first second third fourth fifth sixth...
Indefinite	Denotes the actual number.	all many few certain any several
Distributive	Refers to each one of the number.	each every either neither
Demonstrative	Point out which person / thing.	this that these those
Interrogative	Ask questions.	which who whose what
Emphasizing	Stress / emphasize	my own very same
Exclamatory	Denote exclamation.	what how

Examples:

1. Quality

1. Nora is a good girl.
2. The elephant is a large animal
3. We met an old man
4. Our manager is an honest man
5. It is a big building

2. Quantity

1. Please give me some water.
2. We have enough sugar.
3. She lost all her properties.
4. They did not eat any rice.
5. The man has no sense.

3. Quantity - Number

1. I did not see any animal here.
2. We have enough pens to give them.
3. All men enjoy the trip.

4. Definite Cardinal - Number

1. There are three boys in the room.
2. I have five pencils.
3. He wrote two novels.

5. Definite Ordinal - Order

1. He is the first man to donate.
2. The sixth girl in the line is very pretty.
3. He came second in the race.

6. Indefinite

1. All boys are very happy.
2. I read a few books by Hardy.
3. Several trees fell down in the storm.

7. Distributive

1. Each girl must finish her work.
2. Neither boy is clever.
3. Every child is precious.

8. Demonstrative

1. This place is suitable for us.
2. That girl dances gracefully.
3. I don't like such flattery.

9. Interrogative

1. Whose house is this?
2. Which is your pen?
3. When will you return?

10. Emphasizing

1. This is the very book I need.
2. I finished it with my own hands.
3. That is the same result we expected.

11. Exclamatory

1. What a fool!
2. What a surprise.
3. How beautiful is the rainbow!

Exercises

Identify the adjectives and note their kinds :

1. She was a very kind lady.
2. The beautiful girl sing a song.
3. Every member must take the responsibility.
4. Who broke the window?
5. She gave some rice to the beggar.
6. We have enough milk to prepare tea for all.
7. The brave king defeated his enemies.
8. She witnessed everything with her own eyes.
9. This is the book I need.
10. Several pages are missing in this book.

Answers

1. She was a very kind lady. (quality)
2. The beautiful girl sing a song. (quality)
3. Every member must take the responsibility. (distributive numeral)
4. Who broke the window? (interrogative)
5. She gave some rice to the beggar. (quantity)
6. We have enough milk to prepare tea for all. (quantity)
7. The brave king defeated his enemies. (quality)
8. She witnessed everything with her own eyes. (emphasizing)
9. This is the book I need. (Demonstrative)
10. Several pages are missing in this book. (indefinite numeral)