1-    What is an Adjective

A word which adds something to the meaning of a noun is called an adjective.

TYPES OF ADJECTIVES

Adjectives may be of different kinds according to the function they do in a sentence.

1.1-    Adjective of Quality

These are the words which denote the quality of some noun. Quality may be good as well as bad.

(1)           This is the best book.

(2)           He is a bad boy.

1.2-    Adjective of Quantity

The words show how much a thing is.

(1)           There is little water in the glass.

(2)           I took a half cup of tea.

1.3-    Adjective of Number/Numeral Adjectives

They show how many things there are. They are of three types.

1.3.1-    Definite Adjective of Number

The show exact numbers of things. They are further divided into two types.

1.3.1.1-    Cardinals

These are numerals which tell how many things are in numbers.

(1)           I saw three lions in zoo.

(2)           Two girls participated in speech competition.

1.3.1.2-    Ordinals

They denote the position or order of things in a series.

(1)           I reached seventh floor of the building.

(2)           You are living in twenty-first century.

1.3.2-    Indefinite Adjective of Number

They do not tell the exact numbers in figures.

(1)           Some boys won medals.

(2)           Few people participated in the marriage party.

1.3.3-    Distributive Adjective of Number

They refer to individual member of a group. Therefore, they are always followed by a singular noun.

(1)           Each team member must follow the rules.

(2)           Either road can lead you Lahore.

(3)           Any of the students can ask question.

1.4-    Demonstrative Adjectives

They show which or what thing is meant. Unlike Demonstrative pronouns, they are always followed by a noun.

(1)           These mangoes are sweet.

(2)           This book is mine.

1.5-    Proper Adjectives

These capitalized adjectives are derived from proper nouns.

(1)           She always wears Turkish cap.

(2)           Pakistani carpets are very popular in the world.

1.6-    Interrogative Adjectives

‘What’, ‘Which’, ‘Whose’ are interrogative adjectives which ask question about the noun they qualify.

(1)           Which book is interesting for juvenile readership.

(2)           What colour are your eyes.

DEGREES OF ADJECTIVES

Adjectives are found in three forms which are known as degrees of adjectives.

1-    Positive Degree

It denotes basic quality of a thing or person.

(1)           The deer run fast.

(2)           This is a good book.

2-    Comparative Degree

It denotes a higher degree of quality than basic quality of something. These are used to compare two things.

(1)           Horse ran faster than zebra.

(2)           Vegetables are better than pizza.

3-    Superlative Degree

It denotes the highest degree of quality of something. This degree is always accompanied by ‘the’.

(1)           China has introduced the fastest internet speed.

(2)           Muslims live in the best culture.

RULES OF DEGREE-FORMATION OF ADJECTIVES

1-    Adjectives ending in ‘e’

We suffix ‘r’ with adjective for comparative degree and ‘st’ for superlative degree.

(1)           Wise    wiser        wisest

2-    Adjectives ending in ‘y’

We drop ‘y’ and suffix ‘ier’ for comparative degree and ‘iest’ for superlative degree.

(1)           Happy  Happier   Happiest

3-    Adjectives ending in ‘y followed by a vowel’

We suffix ‘r’ for comparative degree and ‘st’ for superlative degree.

(1)           Gay      Gayer       Gayest

4-    Adjectives Comprising on More than Two Syllables

We put ‘more’ before an adjective for comparative degree and ‘most’ for superlative degree.

(1)           Splendid      More splendid         Most splendid