Adjectives – Definition, Types, Examples & Usage in English

You may have noticed how adjectives make stories more vivid by painting clear images or how they enhance conversations by adding precision to descriptions, but have you ever considered their deeper role in language? Adjectives not only bring mood, setting, and characters to life in storytelling but also improve clarity and persuasiveness in communication.

Adjectives are a key component of the Parts of Speech chapter in the PMDC syllabus. They play a vital role in effective communication. They add detail to nouns and pronouns, helping us describe, compare, and specify characteristics with precision. In this topic, we will explore the different types of adjectives, their correct usage, and how they function within sentences to enhance clarity and expression.

Table of Contents

What is an Adjective?
Types of Adjectives
Degrees of Comparison
Formation of Adjectives
Order of Adjectives
Common Usage Patterns
Practice Questions & Answer Key

What is an Adjective?

An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about its quality, quantity, size, shape, color, or other attributes. Adjectives help make sentences more descriptive and engaging.

Examples of Adjectives in Sentences:

Ram is a good boy.
The word good describes the quality of the noun boy.
He is intelligent.
The word intelligent gives information about the pronoun he.

Examples of adjectives that describes or modifies nouns or pronouns

Examples of adjectives that describes or modifies nouns or pronouns

Position of Adjectives in a Sentence:

Adjectives can appear in two main positions:

Before a Noun (Attributive Position)
Example: She wore a beautiful dress. (beautiful describes dress)
After a Verb (Predicative Position)
Example: The weather is pleasant. (pleasant describes weather)

By using adjectives, we can make our sentences more vivid and informative, helping readers or listeners understand details more clearly.

Types of Adjectives

Watch this video below to understand important concepts about Adjectives:

1. Adjective of Quality

Adjectives that show the kind or quality of a person or thing. E.g.

An honest man.

Adjective of quality is used in two ways.

(a) Attributive use – When an adjective is used before noun, it is said to be used attributively.

E.g. : Solomon was a wise king.

Here wise is used before a noun (king) so it is attributive.

(b) Predicative use – When an adjective is used after verb, it is said to be used predicatively.

E.g. : The weather is pleasant.

2. Proper Adjective

An adjective which is formed from proper nouns is called as proper adjective.

E.g.: Buddhist monastery, British rule.

Here ‘Buddhist‘ and ‘British‘ are proper adjectives.

3. Adjective of Quantity

An adjective that shows how much of a thing is meant. For Example, some milk, enough oil, sufficient sugar, no manners.

Here some, enough, sufficient and no are adjective of quantity.

4. Adjective of Number

An adjective that shows how many persons or things are meant or in what order a person or thing stands.

It is of two types:

(i) Definite

Definite denotes an exact number. E.g. : Five boys, fifth row.

(ii) Indefinite

Indefinite does not denote an exact number. E.g. : Few girls, several boys.

Cardinal Adjective – Definite numbers like one, two, three, four are Cardinal adjectives.

E.g. : The first chapter of this book is on verb.

Note : 1. Article ‘the’ is used before Ordinal and not before Cardinal.

E.g. : Lesson one is on verbs.

The first chapter of this book is on verbs.

When both Ordinal and Cardinal adjectives come together in a sentence, they are in the order ‘OC’.This means first ‘Ordinal’ and then ‘Cardinal’.

E.g. : We will revise the lessons in the last two classes.

5. Demonstrative Adjective

The adjective that points out which person or thing is meant is known as the demonstrative adjective.

E.g.: This boy, that group, these people, those countries.

Note : If this, that, these or those are immediately followed by a noun, these words are called demonstrative adjectives and if these words are immediately followed by a verb, these words are known as demonstrative pronouns.

Demonstrative Adjective	Demonstrative Pronoun
This girl is good.	This is a good girl.
That pen is new.	That is a new pen.
These shirts are white.	These are white shirts.

7. Distributive Adjective

The Adjective which refers to each one of the number is known as distributive adjective.

E.g. : Each candidate is honest.

Every boy is present today.

Note : If each, every, either or neither is immediately followed by noun, it is known as Distributive Adjective and if each, every, either or neither is followed by some other word. It is known as Distributive Pronoun.

Distributive Adjective	Distributive Pronoun
Each boy took the test.	Each of the boys took the test.

8. Interrogative Adjective

What, which and whose are interrogative adjectives when they are used with a noun.

E.g. : Which room is hers?

Whose book is this?

Note : If ‘what’, ‘which’, ‘whose’ is followed by a noun, these words are interrogative adjectives and if it is followed by a verb, it is known as interrogative pronoun.

Interrogative Adjective	Interrogative Pronoun
What colour is your bag?	What did you do?

9. Possessive Adjectives

Adjectives that shows possession is called possessive Adjective.

E.g. : My book, our class

In English, adjectives are categorized into:

Qualitative Adjectives

Denoting Quality:
Size, shape, color, or state.
E.g., good/high/round/black

Relative Adjectives

Denoting Material or Place:
Golden/wooden/Russian/Italian/silver/gold(en)/iron

If you want to practice your concepts, attempt these Adjective MCQs.

Degrees of Adjectives

Qualitative Adjectives: Degrees of Comparison

Positive Degree:

Expresses a quality without comparison.
Comparative Degree:
Denotes a higher degree of quality.
Superlative Degree:
Denotes the highest degree.
Examples with articles modifying nouns:
a tall girl, an interesting book
a taller girl, a more interesting book
the tallest girl (in the group), the most interesting book (I’ve ever read)

Formation of Adjective

Adjectives can be formed in various ways in English. Here are some common methods of forming adjectives:

Adding a suffix:
Many adjectives are formed by adding a suffix to a noun, verb, or another adjective. Common suffixes for adjectives include:
- '-ful' (e.g., joyful, beautiful)
- '-less' (e.g., fearless, careless)
- '-able' or '-ible' (e.g., comfortable, visible)
- '-al' (e.g., personal, cultural)
- '-ous' (e.g., spacious, delicious)
Adding a prefix:
Some adjectives are formed by adding a prefix to a word. Common prefixes for adjectives include:
- 'un-' (e.g., unhappy, uncomfortable)
- 'in-' or 'im-' (e.g., invisible, impossible)
- 'non-' (e.g., nonchalant, nonviolent)
- 'dis-' (e.g., disagreeable, dishonest)

Understanding the topic so far? Take this free MDCAT English practice test and check your skills!

Formation of Adjective

Adjectives can be formed in various ways in English. Here are some common methods of forming adjectives:

Adding a suffix:
Many adjectives are formed by adding a suffix to a noun, verb, or another adjective. Common suffixes for adjectives include:
- '-ful' (e.g., joyful, beautiful)
- '-less' (e.g., fearless, careless)
- '-able' or '-ible' (e.g., comfortable, visible)
- '-al' (e.g., personal, cultural)
- '-ous' (e.g., spacious, delicious)
Adding a prefix:
Some adjectives are formed by adding a prefix to a word. Common prefixes for adjectives include:
- 'un-' (e.g., unhappy, uncomfortable)
- 'in-' or 'im-' (e.g., invisible, impossible)
- 'non-' (e.g., nonchalant, nonviolent)
- 'dis-' (e.g., disagreeable, dishonest)

Formation of Degrees of Comparison

One Syllable Adjectives:
Form comparative with '-er,' superlative with '-est.'
Two Syllable Adjectives:
Special rules for comparative and superlative forms.
Exceptions with 'more' and 'most.'
Special Comparative Forms:
Suppletive and parallel forms for specific adjectives.

Patterns Often Used

Positive Degree:
Comparisons using idiomatic phrases and structures.
- She is as cool as a cucumber under pressure.
- The situation was as dead as a doornail.
- The garden looked as fresh as a daisy after the rain.
- His voice was as clear as a bell.
Comparative Degree:
Various intensifiers and comparative structures.
- Nelly is much younger than Jane.
- The new phone is far more efficient than the old one.
- This city is even larger than I expected.
- The concert was a bit less exciting than the last one.
Superlative Degree:
Usage with prepositions and tense.
- The Nile River is the longest river in the world.
- That was one of the most enjoyable movies I’ve seen.
- Yesterday marked the hottest day of the year.
- This is the best dish I have ever tasted.

The above concepts are also explained in this live class discussing adjectives.

Adjectives: Word Order

The order of adjectives in English generally follows a specific sequence when multiple adjectives are used to describe a noun. This sequence is a convention that helps maintain clarity and coherence in language. The typical order is as follows:

Quantity or Number: Describes how many or how much.
Example: Three, several, many, etc.
Quality or Opinion: Describes the inherent characteristics or subjective opinions about the noun.
Example: Beautiful, ugly, delicious, etc.
Size: Describes the physical dimensions of the noun.
Example: Small, large, tiny, etc.
Age: Indicates the age or stage of life of the noun.
Example: Old, young, ancient, etc.
Shape: Describes the form or shape of the noun.
Example: Round, square, oval, etc.
Color: Specifies the color of the noun.
Example: Red, blue, green, etc.
Proper Adjective (or Origin): Refers to the nationality, place of origin, or any proper characteristic.
Example: Italian, American, Chinese, etc.
Material: Describes the material composition of the noun.
Example: Wooden, metallic, plastic, etc.
Purpose or Qualifier: Describes the intended use or any additional qualifying information.
Example: Dining, kitchen, ornamental, etc.

'I purchased three beautiful small antique round red Italian wooden dining tables.'

In this sentence:

Three represents the quantity.
Beautiful represents the quality or opinion.
Small represents the size.
Antique represents the age.
Round represents the shape.
Red represents the color.
Italian represents the proper adjective (nationality).
Wooden represents the material.
Dining represents the purpose or qualifier.
Numbers 11 and 12 form compound nouns, never separated.
General qualities precede specific qualities closer to the noun.

Conclusion

Adjectives are essential for effective communication, adding depth, clarity, and expression to our language. By understanding their types, degrees, and proper usage, you can enhance both your writing and speaking skills. Whether you're describing a scene, comparing qualities, or emphasizing details, adjectives play a crucial role in making your message more precise and engaging. Keep practicing their correct application, and you'll soon master the art of using adjectives to enrich your language skills!

For MDCAT English, mastering adjectives, comprehension, and vocabulary is crucial. Regularly practice past papers, focus on synonyms and antonyms, and analyze sentence structures to improve accuracy. Manage time by allocating specific slots for reading passages, grammar rules, and word lists. Timed practice tests will sharpen speed and precision, while short breaks and consistent revision ensure better retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an adjective, and why is it important?

An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, adding details about qualities, quantity, or comparison. They enhance clarity and expression in communication.

What are 10 examples of an adjective?

Here are 10 common adjectives:

Beautiful
Tall
Intelligent
Happy
Bright
Cold
Soft
Strong
Friendly
Dangerous
What are the different types of adjectives and their examples?
Adjectives of Quality (describe characteristics): beautiful, intelligent
Adjectives of Quantity (indicate amount): some, many, few
Adjectives of Number (show numerical value): two, first, several
Demonstrative Adjectives (point out specific nouns): this, that, these, those
Distributive Adjectives (refer to individual members): each, every, either
Interrogative Adjectives (used in questions): which, what, whose
Possessive Adjectives (show ownership): my, your, his, her, our, their
What are adjectives to describe a person?
Positive Traits: Kind, intelligent, brave, charming, cheerful
Negative Traits: Rude, selfish, lazy, impatient, arrogant
What is the definition of an adjective?

An adjective is a word that modifies a noun or pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying it.

How many English MCQs are in MDCAT?

According to the MDCAT test pattern, the English section might seem secondary to the heavy sciences having only 18 MCQs to solve, but it plays a pivotal role in your MDCAT score even a single MCQ makes a significant difference in such highly competitive exams.

Can you give an example of an adjective in a sentence?
The beautiful garden is full of colorful flowers.
He is an intelligent student who always asks great questions.
What is the difference between an adjective and an adverb?
Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns (e.g., She has a happy dog).
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (e.g., *She sings happily*).
How do degrees of comparison work in adjectives?
Positive Degree: Describes one noun (e.g., tall).
Comparative Degree: Compares two things (e.g., taller).
Superlative Degree: Compares three or more things (e.g., tallest).
How do you form adjectives from nouns and verbs?
- By adding suffixes like ful (joy → joyful), less (care → careless), ous (danger → dangerous).
Which book is best for MDCAT English?
The Big Book of MDCAT is the best for MDCAT English, covering grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension with past paper questions and clear explanations. It follows the PMDC syllabus and includes an online test bank for effective practice.
What is the correct order of adjectives in a sentence?
Quantity → Opinion → Size → Age → Shape → Color → Origin → Material → Purpose → Noun (e.g., a beautiful large old wooden dining table).