October 07, 2012
Adjectives and Proper Adjectives
The words that we use to describe people, places and
things are called adjectives
An adjective is a word that describes a noun or a pronoun.
What kind?
We studied modern history.
How many?
I read four volumes.
Which one?
That invention changed the world.
October 07, 2012
Most adjectives come before the nouns they modify. Sometimes
adjectives follow linking verbs and modify the subject, as in the
example below. These adjectives are called predicate adjectives.
These inventions are important.
Some adjectives are formed from proper nouns and begin with a
capital letter. These are called proper adjectives.
Proper adjectives are adjectives formed from proper nouns.
Proper adjectives often have the same form as the noun. Others
are formed by adding an ending to the noun form.
FORMING PROPER ADJECTIVES
PROPER NOUN
PROPER ADJECTIVE
Oranges from Florida
Florida oranges
A symphony by Mozart
A Mozart symphony
food from Italy
Italian food
October 07, 2012
Articles and Demonstratives
The words a, an, and the are special kinds of adjectives. They
are called articles.
The points to a specific item or items. A and an refer to any
one item of a group. Use a before words that begin with a
consonant sound. Use an before words that begin with a vowel
sound.
William Shakespeare is the most famous English playwright.
Getting a lead role in a Shakespeare play is an honor.
The words this, that, these, and those are called demonstrative
adjectives. They are used to point out something.
Take this umbrella with you.
That store is closed.
Take these boots also.
Those clouds are lovely.
October 07, 2012
Use this and that with singular nouns.
Use these and those with plural nouns.
Use this and these to point out something that is close to you.
Use that and those to point out something that is far from you.
Near
Far
Demonstratives
Singular
Plural
this
that
these
those
Demonstratives can be used with nouns or without them.
When used alone, they are called demonstrative pronouns.
This is mine.
These are for you.
October 07, 2012
Adjectives that Compare
You can use adjectives to compare two or more nouns.
The comparative form of an adjective compares two things or
people.
For most adjectives of one syllable, form the comparative by
adding -er. For most adjectives of two or more syllables, form the
comparative by using more before the adjective.
Is Venezuela larger than Peru?
Is Argentina more beautiful than Ecuador?
October 07, 2012
The superlative form of an adjective compares more than two
things or people.
For most adjectives of one syllable, form the superlative by adding
-est. For most adjectives of two or more syllables, form the
superlative by using most before the adjective.
Is Brazil the richest country in South America?
Simon Bolivar was one of South America's most successful
generals.
Do not use more or most before adjectives that already are in the
comparative or superlative form.
Comparative and Superlative Forms
Adjective
Superlative
small
Comparative
smaller
dark
darker
darkest
active
more active
most active
intelligent
more intelligent most intelligent
smallest