Adjective

TYPES OF ADJECTIVE

DEFINITION: Adjective is the word which is used to modify noun or pronoun. There are five kinds of adjective as follow.

1) Possessive Adjective

2) Descriptive Adjective

3) Numeral Adjective

4) Demonstrative Adjective

5) Interrogative Adjective

1) POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE

DEFINITION: Possessive Adjective is the adjective which is used to point out the noun that belongs to someone and there are seven Possessive Adjectives. They are My, Your, Our, Their, His, Her and Its.

Example:

- This is my book.

- Your car is outside.

- His girl fried is waiting

2) DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVE

DEFINITION: Descriptive Adjective is the adjective that is used to tell the sorts of noun or quality.

Example:

- He is a tall man.

- They are good students.

- She is a beautiful girl.

3) NUMERAL ADJECTIVE

DEFINITION: Numeral Adjective is the adjective which is used to show the number of noun. There are three types of Numeral Adjective as follow.

a) Definite Numeral Adjective

b) Indefinite Numeral Adjective

c) Distributive Numeral Adjective

a) Definite Numeral Adjective

DEFINITION: Definitive Numeral Adjective is the adjective that is used to denote an exact number of noun as first, second, third or one, two, three….

Example:

- Ankor Wat is the seventh wonders of the world.

- Ankor temple has got five towers.

b) Indefinite Numeral Adjective

DEFINITION: Indefinite Numeral Adjective is the adjective which is used to denote an inexact number of nouns as some, any, much, many, little, a few….

Example:

- I have some friends here.

- She has a few pictures.

- He has got much money.

b) Distributive Numeral Adjective

DEFINITION: Descriptive Adjective is the adjective that is used to cache one noun. They are every, each, another, other...

Example:

- Each student is very friendly.

- They speak to another person.

4) DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVE

DEFINITION: Demonstrative Adjective is the adjective which is used to point out the noun. They are this, these, that, and those.

Example:

- That man is very handsome.

- These girls are good-looking.

5) INTERROGATIVE ADJECTIVE

DEFINITION: Interrogative Adjective is the adjective that is used to ask the question. They are where, what, which….

Example:

- Which animal do you like?

- Where doctor is he?

- What food do you prefer?

POSITION OF ADJECTIVE

Position of adjective is used to show the place where the adjective should stand.

There are three positions of adjective.

1) ADJECTIVE STANDS BEFORE NOUN

Adjective can stand before noun in the sentences, and it modifies or describes noun after it.

Example:

- He is a handsome man.

- They are happy students.

- She is beautiful girl.

2) ADJECTIVE STANDS AFTER ADVERB

Adverb can stand before adjective in the sentences, and it is used to modify adjective that stands after it. So adjective can stand after it.

Example:

- She is very clever.

- They are so kind.

- It is too old.

NOTE: Adverb is a word which is used to modify verb or adjective that stands after it.

3) ADJECTIVE STANDS AFTER LINKING VERB

Linking Verb is the verb that needs complement rather than object and that complement tells us more about the subject, so adjective can be used after Linking Verb as the complement to tell more about the subject.

There are many Linking Verbs as follow.

appear, go, smell, feel, become, get, keep, stay, remain, seem, taste, look…

Example:

- She becomes angry.

- They seem happy.

- The shy grows dark.

- We feel bored.

- It tastes delicious.

NOTE: Complement is a word, phrase or clause which is governed by verb that completes the meaning of the predicate.

Example:

- Sit down.

- Stand up.

- Hold on

COMPARISION OF ADJECTIVE

RULE 1: For adjective which contains one syllable; we add “ER” at the end of the adjective to make comparative form and we add “EST” to make superlative form.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
black small tall	blacker smaller taller	blackest smallest tallest

RULE 2: For adjective which contains one syllable, but ending in “E” we only add “R” to make comparative form and “ST” to make superlative form.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
brave white large	braver whiter larger	bravest whitest largest

RULE 3: For adjective which contains one syllable, but there is a vowel between consonants we use double letters for the last consonant before adding “ER” or “EST” to make comparative and superlative form.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
red big thin	redder bigger thinner	reddest biggest thinnest

RULE 4: For adjective which contains two or more syllables, but ending in “Y” we change “Y” to “IER” or “IEST” to make comparative or superlative form.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
happy merry dirty	happier merrier dirtier	happiest merriest dirtiest

NOTE 1: If the adjective ending in “Y”, but before “Y” there is a vowel we don’t change “Y” to “IER” or “IEST” we only add “ER” or “EST” to make comparative or superlative form.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
gray gay	grayer gayer	grayest gayest

NOTE 2: If the adjective ending in “Y”, but contains only one syllable; we don’t change “Y” to “IER” or “IEST”: we only add “ER” or “EST” to make comparative or superlative form.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
shy sly	shyer slyer	shyest slyest

RULE 5: For adjective that comprises two or more syllables; when we want to make comparative or superlative form we use “MORE” or “MOST”.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
beautiful expensive handsome	more beautiful more expensive more handsome	most beautiful most expensive most handsome

NOTE: For some adjectives can take both forms “ER” and “EST” or “MORE” and “MOST”.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
polite common pleasant stupid clever	politer/more polite commoner/more common pleasanter/more pleasant stupider/more stupid cleverer/more clever	politest/most polite commonest/most common pleasantest/most pleasant stupidest/most stupid cleverest/most clever

RULE 6: For some adjectives can change their forms from positive to comparative or superlative without adding “ER” or “EST” and “MORE” or MOST”.

This kind of adjective is called “Irregular Adjective”.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
bad good little many/much far fore in out near	worse better less more farther/further former inner outer nearer	worst best least most farthest/furthest first innermost outermost nearest/next

SENTENCES OF COMPARISION

1) POSITIVE DEGREE

Positive Degree is used to tell that something or someone has the same level.

Formula:

Subject + be + as + Adjective + as + Object

Example:

- I am as tall as you.

- She is as beautiful as my girlfriend.

- Your book is as expensive as mine.

2) COMPARATIVE DEGREE

Comparative Degree is used to compare a thing or person to another thing or person that shows the higher level of noun. There are two formulas as follow:

a) For one syllable adjective.

Formula:

Subject + be + Adjective with er/ier + than + Object

Example:

- I am taller than you.

- This cloth is blacker than mine.

- My pen is smaller than yours.

NOTE: For adjective that has two or more syllables , but ending in “Y” it can be used with this formula as well.

Example:

- She is happier than us.

- Toilet is dirtier than living room.

- Bopha is friendlier than Chenda.

b) For two syllable or more than two adjective

Formula:

Subject + be + more + Adjective + than + Object

Example:

- He is more handsome than us.

- She is more beautiful than you.

- You are more industrious than me.

3) SUPERLATIVE DEGREE

Superlative Degree is used to compare a thing or person to another thing or person which shows the top level of noun. There are two formulas as follow:

a) For one syllable adjective.

Formula:

Subject + be + the + Adjective with est/iest + Object

Example:

- I am the tallest girl.

- This is the blackest cloth.

- That is the smallest car.

b) For two or more syllable Adjective.

Formula:

Subject + be + the + most + Adjective + Object

Example:

- He is the most handsome man.

- She is the most beautiful girl.

- I’m the most industrious student

“ING” AND “ED” ADJECTIVE

There are many adjectives ending in ING and ED. Those adjectives are:

boring, bored, interesting, interested, exciting, excited, shocking, shocked, frightening, frightened, tiring, tired, annoying, annoyed, surprising, surprised...

1) “ING” ADJECTIVE

DEFINITION: Ing Adjective is the adjective which is used to describe the thing or person that produces the feeling.

Example:

- This picture is interesting.

- It is an exciting story.

- The film is frightening.

2) “ED” ADJECTIVE

DEFINITION: Ed Adjective is the adjective that is used to describe someone feeling.

Example:

- She is annoyed.

- We are excited.

- He is interested in photography.

ORDER OF ADJECTIVE

1) When we use two or more adjectives together, ‘opinion’ adjectives (e.g. interesting, beautiful) normally to before ‘fact’ adjectives (e.g. new, blue).

Example:

- An interesting new film.

- A beautiful blue dress.

2) When two or more fact adjectives come before a noun, they normally go in the following order.

Formula:

Size + Age + Shape + Color + Origin + Material + Purpose + Noun

Example:

- A small rubber ball (size + origin)

- A young Spanish woman (age + origin)

- A large round hat (size + shape)

- White leather running shoes (color + material + purpose)

COMPOUND ADJECTIVES

Compound adjectives are generally hyphenated when they precede the noun they modify. When they follow the noun, they are two words. Those compound adjectives are the following.

blue-gray/blue gray, past-due/past due, open-minded, narrow-hearted,

Example:

- She designed a blue-gray living room set. (when there is a noun after adjective, we use hyphen)

- She designed a living room set that was blue gray. (when there is no noun after adjective, we don’t use hyphen)

NOTE: Some compound adjectives we can only use one form even there is a noun or no noun after it.

PREDICATE ADJECTIVES

When an adjective follows a Linking Verb such as feel, become, seem, get, is, look, andsmell, the word complements the verb and is known as a Predicate Adjective. The adjective doesn’t modify the verb but refers to the condition of the subject.

Example:

- She looks beautiful.

- He seems ill. Is he all right?

- The water is getting hot.

ADJECTIVES USED WITH PREPOSITIONS

1) When adjectives are commonly followed by particular preposition. You can find information about these in a good dictionary. Here we will look at some adjectives that can be followed by one preposition or another, depending on the meaning.

ç Afraid of and Afraid for

- Janet had always been afraid of flying.

- They tried to leave the country, afraid for their own lives.

ç Angry/Annoyed about and Angry/Annoyed with

- She felt a little annoyed about the delay. (about something)

- I’m not angry with you, Paul. (with somebody)

ç Answerable for and Answerable to

- She is answerable for (= responsible for) the money that has disappeared.

- The committee is answerable only to (= has to explain its actions to) the President.

ç Anxious about and Anxious for

- Ministers are increasingly anxious about (= worried about) the cost of health care.

- I’m anxious for (= want very much) the work to be done as soon as possible.

ç Bad/Good at and Bad/Good for

- She’s very good/bad at languages. (= successful)

- You should drink this. It’s good/bad for you. (= healthy or beneficial)

ç Good about, Good to and Good with

- She felt good about winning the prize. (= pleased with herself)

- Tom was good to us (= kind) when times were hard.

- He’s very good with his hands. (skillful)

ç Concerned about and Concerned with

- I’m a little concerned about your exam results. (= worried)

- This section of the book is concerned with (= about) adjectives.

ç Glad for and Glad of

- I’m very glad for you.

- I’d be glad of some help.

ç Pleased about, Pleased at and Pleased with

- Was he pleased about/at the news?

- He’s really pleased with the car. (with something)

- She felt pleased with Paul. (with somebody)

ç Right about and Right for

- You’re right about Tom. He is moving to Spain.

- We’re sending her to a school that we think is right for her.

ç Sorry about and Sorry for

- I’m sorry about giving you such a hard time.

- I felt really sorry for Susan (= felt sympathy for her), but what could I do?

2) When a verb follows an adjective + preposition it takes an –ing form.

Example:

- I don’t agree with smacking children if they do something wrong.

- He was famous for holding the world land speed record.

Compare:

- You were right to report them to the police. and

- You were right about seeing Mark in town. He’s got a new job there.

- We’re anxious to avoid problems. and

- I’m anxious about not having enough time.

ADJECTIVES + THAT-CLAUSE OR TO-INFINTIVE

1) When an adjective follows a linking verb with a personal subject (rather than ‘It…’) we can put a number of things after the adjective.

ç That-clause (to talk about someone’s feeling or opinion, or about how sure we are of something)

afraid, alarmed, amazed, angry, annoyed, ashamed, astonished, aware, concerned, delighted, disappointed, glad, (un)happy, pleased, shocked, sorry, upset, worried, certain, confident, positive, sure (with the exception ofaware and confident these can also be followed by a to-infinitive)

Example:

- He became worried (that) she might leap out from behind a door.

- She felt certain (that) she’d seen him before.

ç To-infinitive

(un)able, careful, crazy, curious, difficult, easy, free, good, hard, impossible, inclined, nice, prepared, ready, welcome,willing.

Example:

- You’re free to leave at any time you want.

- They’re very easy to please.

ç Ing-form

busy, worth (these can’t be followed by a that-clause or to-infinitive)

Example: He was busy doing his homework.

NOTE: Most of the adjectives listed as being followed by a to-infinitive can’t be followed by a that-clause. However, for the adjectives underline above we can useadjective + to-infinitive + that-clause.

Example:

- She was ready to admit (that) I was right.

- They were prepared to accept that my idea was a good one.

2) Sometimes we can use adjective + preposition + ing-form or adjective + to-infinitivewith little difference in meaning.

Compare:

- I’m sorry to disturb you. (= I’m disturbing you now)

- I’m sorry for disturbing you. (= I disturbed you earlier)

3) It + linking verb + adjective

We can often avoid beginning a sentence with a that-clause or a to-infinitive, by using ‘It…’

Example:

- It became clear that I wasn’t welcome. (rather than That I wasn’t welcome was clear.)

- It is essential to get there early. (rather than To get there early is essential.)

NOTE 1: We can put of + subject or for + subject between the adjective and a to-infinitive.

For adjectives which take of + subject include careless, greedy, kind, nice, silly, wrong, generous…

For adjectives which take for + subject include easy, essential, hard, important, impossible, necessary, unacceptable, vital, difficult…

Example:

- It was generous of her to take on the job. (or She was generous to take on the job.)

- It seemed difficult for him to walk.

NOTE 2: We can also use it + adjective after verbs such as believe, consider, feel, find, think before a that-clause or to-infinitive.

Example:

- I thought it dreadful that Liz was asked to resign.

- They consider it wrong to smoke in public places.