KINDS OF ADJECTIVES

  Adjectives may be divided into the following classes:

Adjectives of quality ( or Descriptive Adjective)  show the kind or quality of a person or thing ; as,

   Kolkata is a large city.

He is an honest man.

The foolish old crow tried to sing.

This is a Grammar of the English * language.

[* Adjectives formed from Proper Nouns (e.g., French wines, Turkish tobacco, Indian tea, etc,) are sometimes called Proper Adjectives. They are generally classed with Adjectives of quality.]

   

Adjectives of Quality answer the question: Of what kind?

 Adjective of Quantity show how much of thing is meant; as,

     I ate some rice.

   He showed much patience.

   He has little intelligence.

  We have had enough exercise.

 He has lost all his wealth.

  You have no sense.

  He did not eat any rice.

  Take great care of your health.

  He claimed his half share of the booty.

  There has not been sufficient rain this year.

  The whole sum was expended.

Adjectives of Quantity answer the question: How much?

Adjectives of Number ( or numeral adjectives ) show show many persons or things are meant, or in what order a person or thing stands; as,

The hand has five fingers.

Few cats like cold water.

There are no pictures in thi book.

I have taught you many things.

All men must de.

Here are some ripe mangoes.

Most boys like cricket.

There are several mistakes in your exercise.

Sunday is the first day of the week.

Adjectives of Number answer the question: How many?

Adjectives of Number ( or Numeral adjectives ) are of three kinds:

(i) Definite Numeral Adjectives, which denote an exact number; as,

  One, two, three, etc.                                These are called Cardinals.

First, second, third, etc.                             These are called Ordinals.              

 [A Cardinal denotes how many, and an Ordinal the order things in a series. It will be seen that Ordinals really do the work of Demonstrative Adjectives. See 74]

 (ii) Indefinite Numeral Adjectives, which do denote an exact number; as,

  All, no, many, few, some, any, certain, several, Sunday.

(iii)  Distributive Numerals Adjectives, which refer to each one of a number; as,

       Each boy must take his turn.

       India expects every man to do his duty.

       Every word of it is false.

       Either pen will do.

 On either side is a narrow lane.

Neither accusation is true.

The same Adjective many be classed as of Quantity or Number, according to its use.

Adjectives of Quality                                        Ajectives of Number

I ate some rice.                                                  Some boys are clever

He has lost all his wealth.                                All men must die.

You have no sense.                                           There are no pictures in this book.

He did not eat any rice.                                     Are there any mango- trees in this garden?

I have enough sugar                                           There are not enough spoons.

Demostrative Ajectives point out which person or thing is meant; as,

This boy is strnger than Har.

That boy is industrious.

These mangoes are sour.

Those rascals must be punished.

Yonder fort once belonged to Shivaji.

Don’t be in such a hurry.

I hate such things.

Demonstrative Adjectives anwer the question : which?

[ it will be noticed that  this and that are used with singular nouns and these andthose with Plural nouns.]

what, which and whose, when they are used with nouns to ask questions, are called Interrogative Adectives; as,

   What manner of man is he?

Which way shall we go ?

Whose book is this ?

[ It will be seen that what is used in a general sense , and which in a selective sense.]