An adjective modifi es (qualifi es or limits the meaning of ) a noun or a pronoun. It answers the questions, What kind? Which one(s)? How many? How much?
Carrie read an interesting story. ( What kind of story?)
The recent article has that information. ( Which article?)
Kent owns those surfboards. ( Which surfboards?)
Wendy paid fifty dollars for the jacket. ( How many dollars?)
Much space was devoted to her artwork. ( How much space?)
The words a, an, and the are the most frequently used adjectives. Although they are sometimes referred to as articles or noun markers, they are really adjectives, plain and simple. Use a
before words that start with a consonant sound ( a joking man or a lucky lottery player) and an before words that start with a vowel sound ( an hour’s wait or an interesting story).
An adjective can come before or after the noun or pronoun it describes:
Older cards are found on the table. ( Which cards?)
Tall players and intelligent coaches were interviewed by the interested reporter. ( Which
players? Which coaches? Which reporter?)
Tired and hungry , the campers reached the lodge. ( What kind of campers?)
The campers, tired and hungry , reached the lodge. ( What kind of campers?)
There are several types of adjectives:
A proper adjective is formed from a proper noun.
Italian bread Herculean strength Midas touch Canadian sunset
A compound adjective is a word composed of two or more words. Sometimes these words are
hyphenated.
landmark decision black-and-blue mark hometown hero
Do not use a hyphen after an adverb ending in - ly.
newly painted mural sickly sweet odor recently purchased
Adjectives (Continued)
People sometimes confuse adjectives with nouns or with pronouns. Here are some points to remember
QUESTION 1: When is a word a noun? When is a word an adjective?
The magazine article applauded the students’ efforts in the charity drive. ( Magazine is an
adjective that describes which article.)
The article about the students’ efforts in the charity drive was in the magazine . (Here magazine is a noun since it is the name of a thing and does not describe anything.)
Our Thanksgiving celebration was fun. (Thanksgiving is an adjective describing which
celebration.)
We celebrated Thanksgiving . (Thanksgiving is the name of the holiday that was celebrated.)
QUESTION 2: When is a word a pronoun? When is a word an adjective?
These demonstrative pronouns can be used as adjectives: that, these, this, and those.
These interrogative pronouns can be used as adjectives: what and which.
These indefinite pronouns can be used as adjectives: all, another, any, both, each, either, few, many, more, most, neither, other, several, and some.
This problem is diffi cult. ( This is an adjective since it answers the question, Which problem?)
This is diffi cult. ( This is a pronoun since it takes the place of a noun and does not modify a
noun or a pronoun.)
Some people are very funny. ( Some is an adjective since it answers the question, Which
people?)
Some are funny. ( Some is a pronoun since it takes the place of a noun and does not modify a
noun or a pronoun.)
WRITING TIP
Adjectives tell more and help your reader know more about people, places, and things. Select the precise word to describe people, places, and things. Which is
the most accurate adjective to describe the student: smart, brilliant, insightful,
clever, brainy, or bright? Decide. Use a dictionary to find the subtle difference
in adjectives that are closely related in meaning.
And a Trip to the Zoo (Adjectives)
Sixteen of the words in this activity are not adjectives. Twenty-four are adjectives. On the line after each question number, write the fi rst letter of the twenty-four adjectives in this list below. Then write these twenty-four letters (consecutively) on the lines below Zoo Animals. These twenty-four consecutive letters spell out the names of fi ve animals found in a zoo.
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