What Is an Adjective?
An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. It tells us more about a person, place, thing, or idea.
Adjectives can describe size, colour, quality, quantity, age, shape, and many other features.
- 1A helpful teacher
- 2A difficult question
- 3Three new books
- 4A beautiful city
Types of Adjectives
Descriptive adjectives explain quality, while quantitative, demonstrative, possessive, and interrogative adjectives add more precise information.
- 1Descriptive: a thoughtful student
- 2Quantity: several ideas
- 3Demonstrative: this lesson
- 4Possessive: her notebook
- 5Interrogative: which course?
Position of Adjectives
Adjectives usually come before a noun, but they can also follow linking verbs such as be, seem, become, and feel. A clear adjective makes both spoken and written English more precise.
Key Takeaways
Use adjectives to add useful detail, keep adjective order natural, and choose precise words instead of repeating very good or very bad.