Adjectives are words that modify or describe nouns or pronouns. They provide more information about the characteristics, qualities, and attributes of the noun or pronoun they are referring to.
Adjectives can describe the color, size, shape, age, origin, material, or purpose of the noun. For example, in the phrase "the beautiful flowers," the word "beautiful" is an adjective that describes the flowers.
Functions of Adjectives
1. Descriptive Function: Adjectives provide more detail and description to nouns, allowing the reader or listener to visualize or understand the noun better. For instance, the golden sunset painted the sky with vibrant colors.
2. Comparative Function: Adjectives can be used to compare two or more nouns. They can show degrees of comparison, such as big, bigger, and biggest. For example, "This book is more interesting than the one I read yesterday."
3. Quantitative Function: Adjectives can also indicate the quantity or amount of a noun. Examples include many, few, some, or all. For instance, "There are several books on the shelf."
4. Possessive Function: Adjectives can show possession or ownership. For example, in the phrase "John's car," the word "John's" is a possessive adjective that indicates the car belongs to John.
Types of Adjectives
Examples of Adjectives in Sentences
- The blue sky was clear and sunny.
- Sarah has a small puppy that loves to play.
- The old man walked slowly down the street.
- I bought five ripe apples from the market.