The Adjective (The Modifier)

Conceptual Definition

An Adjective is a word that modifies, qualifies, or adds specific meaning to a noun or a pronoun. By providing details regarding size, shape, age, color, origin, or material, adjectives allow for precision in communication.

In a sentence, adjectives typically appear in two positions:

Attributive: Placed directly before the noun. (The diligent student.)
Predicative: Placed after a linking verb. (The student is diligent.)

Classifications of Adjectives

To provide a professional-grade resource, we categorize adjectives by their specific descriptive function:

Adjectives of Quality (Descriptive)

Show the kind or state of a thing.

Examples: Large, honest, beautiful, heavy.

Adjectives of Quantity

Indicate “how much” of a thing is intended (used with uncountable nouns).

Examples: Some, much, little, enough, all.

Adjectives of Number (Numeral)

Indicate “how many” or in what order.

Definite: One, two (Cardinals); First, second (Ordinals).
Indefinite: Many, few, several, any.

Demonstrative Adjectives

Point out “which” person or thing is meant.

Examples: This, that, these, those.
(Note: These are followed immediately by a noun).

Interrogative Adjectives

Used with nouns to ask questions.

Examples: Which, what, whose. (Whose bag is this?)

Proper Adjectives

Derived from proper nouns.

Examples: Indian tea, Victorian era, Shakespearean sonnet.

Degrees of Comparison

This is the most technical aspect of adjectives. There are three degrees used to compare nouns

The Positive Degree

Used when no comparison is made. It simply denotes the existence of a quality.

Example: Rahul is a tall boy.

The Comparative Degree

Used to compare two persons or things. It is usually followed by the conjunction “than”.

Rule: Add -er for short words; use “more” for long words.

Example: Rahul is taller than Sam.

The Superlative Degree

Used to compare more than two persons or things, denoting the highest degree of quality. It is always preceded by the article “the”.

Rule: Add -est for short words; use “most” for long words.

Example: Rahul is the tallest boy in the class.

The Royal Order of Adjectives

When multiple adjectives describe a single noun, they must follow a specific professional sequence:

[Opinion $\rightarrow$ Size $\rightarrow$ Age $\rightarrow$ Shape $\rightarrow$ Color $\rightarrow$ Origin $\rightarrow$ Material $\rightarrow$ Purpose]

Incorrect: A plastic big red bowl.
Correct: A big (Size) red (Color) plastic (Material) bowl.

Advanced General Rules

Double Comparatives:

Never use two comparative forms together.

Incorrect: He is more wiser than his brother.
Correct: He is wiser than his brother.

The "ior" Rule

Adjectives ending in -ior (senior, junior, superior, inferior, prior) take the preposition “to” instead of “than.”

Correct: He is senior to me.

The / Less

Use “Fewer” for countable nouns and “Less” for uncountable quantities.

Correct: I have fewer coins but less money.