Adjectives

Definition of Adjective

Adjectives are describing words. Large, grey, and friendly are all examples of adjectives. In the examples below, these adjectives are used to describe an elephant.

Examples:

• Large elephant
• Grey elephant
• Friendly elephant

Adjectives Modify Nouns
The word elephant is a noun. Adjectives are added to nouns to state what kind, what colour, which one or how many. Adjectives are said to modify nouns and are necessary to make the meanings of sentences clearer or more exact.

Examples:

• Follow the yellow cab.
(In this example, the adjective yellow modifies the noun cab.)
• Craig caught a large bass.
(In this example, the adjective large modifies the noun bass.)
• It is the girl with the pale face again.


• The principal words should be in bold.
(Beware of the adjective principal - see right)
• The rusty nail he stood on was the cause of the infection.


• Please put the old documents in the shredder.


• There is an essential matter we need to discuss.


• Peter guessed the right number.

Adjectives Modify Pronouns

Although less common, adjectives can also modify pronouns.

Examples:

• It is a blue one.
(In this example, the adjective blue modifies the pronoun one.)
• Only a brave few have received a recommendation.