Learning outcomes
- identify adjective function in sentences
- distinguish attributive and predicative use
- apply adjective order in noun phrases
Adjective basics
- Adjective modifies noun/pronoun.
- It answers: what kind, which one, how many.
- “a bright student”
- “the second chapter”
- “three short stories”
Position types
- Attributive: before noun
- “a useful book”
- Predicative: after linking verb
- “The book is useful.”
Adjective order (common sequence)
Opinion -> Size -> Age -> Shape -> Color -> Origin -> Material -> Noun Example:- “a beautiful small old round red Italian wooden table”
Exam hints and traps
- Do not confuse adjective with adverb.
- adjective: “a quick reply”
- adverb: “replied quickly”
- Some words can act as both, depending on position.
- Quantity words (
many,few,several) often act adjectivally before nouns.
Quick practice
- Identify adjective: “She bought a blue dress.”
- Is predicative or attributive? “The soup is hot.”
- Correct order:
- “a cotton red shirt”
- Choose adjective:
careful,carefully
blue- Predicative
- “a red cotton shirt”
careful(as adjective)