An adjective is a word which qualifies or adds to the meaning of a noun (a noun we mean to include pronoun and noun phrases). {Adjective was previously called Ad-noun.}

Another important function of an adjective is to modify the meaning of a noun; e.g. “a man” gives you a mental vision of just a male human being, however, if you add one or a few adjectives to the noun “man” you will get a clearer picture of what the man looks like e.g. “a fat, old and bald man”.

Adjectives usually appear before a noun or after certain verbs and pronouns e.g.

  • The mischievous boys threw stones at the poor dog.
  • The boys (They) are mischievous.

Adjectives may be divided into three main classes.

1. Descriptive Adjective

good, bad, hard, soft, old, young, pale, red.

Example: - The bad guy was caught by the efficient cop.

2 Adjectives of Quantity

(a) Definite (including numerals)

one, seven, twenty, second, fifth, both, double.

Example: - Both boys scored three As in their second term examination.

(b) Indefinite

all, any, few, many, much, several, some.

Example:- We saw several girls who had bought some dresses.

  1. Adjectives of Distinction

(a) Demonstrative

this, that, these, those.

Example:- Those discarded stuff were found on this avenue.

(b) Interrogative.

which, what, whose.

Example:- Whose clothes do you need?

(c) Distributive

Each, every, either, neither.

Example:- Diane could rent an apartment in either cities.