Adjectives
- Adjective
An adjective is a word used to describe, or modify, a noun or pronoun.
Descriptive adjectives can be used to describe the size, shape, color, or other attributes of a noun or pronoun.
The famished teenager had a towering sandwich and an icy glass of soda for lunch.
Descriptive adjectives can also describe a noun's purpose. |
The ironing board had a large singe mark in the middle.
The rowing machine was Alison's favorite part of her exercise routine.
❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋
Limiting adjectives define or limit a noun or pronoun. They may provide information such as which one(s), how many, or whose.
Limiting adjectives include the three articles, a, an, and the. |
The articles a and an are used to refer to one general thing.
The article the is used to refer to one specific noun or to a plural noun.
❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋
Adjectives can also be used to make comparisons between nouns or pronouns.
Comparative Adjectives
- Comparative adjectives are used to compare two nouns or pronouns.
Bring me the smaller box of the two.
|
- Most short comparative adjectives are formed by adding -er to a one-syllable base adjective.
- The word, than, is often used together with a comparative adjective.
Your piece of cake is bigger than mine!
|
Superlative Adjectives
- Superlative adjectives compare more than two nouns or pronouns, showing the highest degree of the given adjective.
Janelle is the fastest person on the team. |
- Most short superlative adjectives are formed by adding -est to a one-syllable base adjective.
IRREGULAR COMPARATIVE/SUPERLATIVE FORMSBase Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
bad |
worse |
worst |
good |
better |
best |
little |
less |
least |
some |
more |
most |
far |
farther/further |
farthest/furthest |
❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋
Comparatives and Superlatives from Adjectives with More Than One Syllable |
beautiful → more beautiful (Comparative)
beautiful → most beautiful (Superlative)
EXCEPTION: Two-Syllable Words Ending in -y
fancy → fancier (Comparative)
fancy → fanciest (Superlative)
❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ ❋ Go to the next page to practice working with adjectives. |