An adjective is a word that describes, identifies, modifies, or quantifies something (a noun or a
pronoun). In the phrase, "the black cat" the word black is an adjective because it describes the cat. In English, an adjective usually comes before the noun it pertains to (for example, a red apple or a cute cat.). Adjectives can be classified into many categories. In English, adjectives are generally used in the order: quantity-->opinion-->size-->age-->shape-->color-->origin-->material-->purpose. Some of these categories are (roughly in the order in which adjectives are used in English): quantity - few, no, one, two, three, four, little, several, many, all, some, every, each, ... opinion - good, better, best, bad, worse, worst, wonderful, splendid, mediocre, awful, taste - sweet, sour, acidic, bitter, salty, tasty, delicious, savory, delectable, yummy, ... touch - hard, soft, silky, velvety, bumpy, smooth, grainy, coarse, pitted, irregular, scaly, ... size, weight - heavy, light, big, small, little, tiny, tall, short, fat, thin, ... smell - perfumed, acrid, putrid, burnt, smelly, reeking, noxious, pungent, aromatic ,... speed - quick, fast, slow, speeding, rushing, bustling, rapid, swift, hasty, prompt, brief, ... temperature - hot, cold, freezing, icy, frigid, sweltering, wintry, frosty, frozen, ... age - young, old, baby, babyish, teenage, ancient, antique, old-fashioned, ... distance - short, long, far, distant, nearby, close, faraway, outlying, far-flung, neighboring, handy, ... shape - round, circular, square, triangular, oval, sleek, blobby, flat, rotund, globular, spherical, ... miscellaneous qualities- full, empty, wet, dry, open, closed , ornate, ... brightness - light, dark, bright, shadowy, drab, radiant, shining, pale, dull, glowing, ... color - pink, red, orange, yellowish, dark-green, blue, purple, black, white, gray, brown, ... time - early, late, morning, night, evening, everlasting, initial, first, last, ... origin/location - lunar, northern, oceanic, polar, equatorial, Floridian, ... material - glass, wooden, cloth, concrete, fabric, cotton, plastic, leather, ... purpose - folding, swinging, work, racing, cooking, sleeping, dance, rolling, walking, ...
Forming Adjectives 1. One-syllable adjectives. Form the comparative and superlative forms of a one-syllable adjective by adding er for the comparative form and est for the superlative.
One-Syllable Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form tall taller tallest old older oldest long longer longest
2. Two-syllable adjectives. With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
Two-Syllable Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form peaceful more peaceful most peaceful pleasant more pleasant most pleasant careful more careful most careful thoughtful more thoughtful most thoughtful If the two-syllable adjectives ends with y, change the y to i and add er for the comparative form. For the superlative form change the y to i and add est.
Two-Syllable Adjective Ending with -y Comparative Form Superlative Form happy happier happiest angry angrier angriest busy busier busiest
3. Adjectives with three or more syllables. For adjectives with three syllables or more, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
Adjective with Three or More Syllables Comparative Form Superlative Form generous more generous most generous important more important most important intelligent more intelligent most intelligent
4. Exceptions.
Irregular Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form good better best bad worse worst far farther farthest little less least many more most
Two-Syllable Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form clever cleverer cleverest clever more clever most clever gentle gentler gentlest gentle more gentle most gentle friendly friendlier friendliest friendly more friendly most friendly quiet quieter quietest quiet more quiet most quiet simple simpler simplest simple more simple most simple