ADJECTIVE

ADJECTIVE

Definition: An adjective modifies a noun. It describes the quality, state or action that a noun refers to. ADJECTIVE RULES: Adjectives can come before nouns: a new house Adjectives can come after verbs such as be, become, seem, look, etc.: that house looks new They can be modified by adverbs: a very expensive house They can be used as complements to a noun: the extras make the house expensive EXAMPLES: an ugly monkey a beautiful cloud the handsome boy the honest girls

Adjectives

 

We use adjectives to describe nouns.

Most adjectives can be used in front of a noun…:

They have a beautiful house.
We saw a very exciting film last night.

or after a link verb like be, look or feel:

Their house is beautiful.
That film looks interesting.

adjectives: -ed and -ing

A lot of adjectives are made from verbs by adding -ing or -ed:

-ing adjectives:

The commonest -ing adjectives are:

amusing	shocking	surprising	frightening
interesting	disappointing	exciting	tiring
worrying	boring	terrifying	annoying

If you call something interesting you mean it interests you.
If you call something frightening you mean it frightens you.

I read a very interesting article in the newspaper today.
That Dracula film was absolutely terrifying.

-ed adjectives:

The commonest –ed adjectives are:

annoyed	bored	frightened	worried
tired	closed	excited	delighted
disappointed

JJJThe children had nothing to do. They were bored.

order of adjectives

Sometimes we use more than one adjective in front of a noun:

He was a nice intelligent young man.
She had a small round black wooden box.