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The Adjective

Definition and Explanation

Adjectives are words that describe or modify a noun by providing additional information about its quality, quantity, number, or other characteristics.

Examples:

  1. Sita is a clever girl. (Describes what kind of girl Sita is)

  2. I don't like that boy. (Indicates which boy is being referred to)

  3. He gave me five mangoes. (Specifies how many mangoes were given)

  4. There is little time for preparation. (Expresses how much time is available)

In the examples above:

  • "Clever" describes the noun "girl."- "That" specifies a particular "boy."- "Five" quantifies "mangoes."- "Little" indicates an amount of "time."

Types of Adjectives

1. Adjectives of Quality (Descriptive Adjectives)

These adjectives describe the kind or quality of a person or thing.

Examples:

  • Kolkata is a large city.

  • He is an honest man.

  • The foolish old crow tried to sing.

Proper Adjectives: Adjectives formed from proper nouns, such as "French wines," "Indian tea," and "Turkish tobacco," are also considered Adjectives of Quality.

Question Answered: "Of what kind?"

2. Adjectives of Quantity

These adjectives describe how much of a thing is meant.

Examples:

  • I ate some rice.

  • He showed much patience.

  • We have had enough exercise.

Question Answered: "How much?"

3. Adjectives of Number (Numeral Adjectives)

These adjectives specify how many persons or things are meant, or the order in which they appear.

Examples:

  • The hand has five fingers.

  • Few cats like cold water.

  • Sunday is the first day of the week.

Subcategories:

(i) Definite Numeral Adjectives (denote an exact number):

  • Cardinals: One, two, three, etc.

  • Ordinals: First, second, third, etc.

(ii) Indefinite Numeral Adjectives (do not denote an exact number):

  • Examples: all, no, many, few, some, any, certain, several, sundry.

(iii) Distributive Numeral Adjectives (refer to each one of a number):

  • Examples: each, every, either, neither.

4. Demonstrative Adjectives

These adjectives point out which person or thing is meant.

Examples:

  • This boy is stronger than Hari.

  • That boy is industrious.

  • These mangoes are sour.

  • Those rascals must be punished.

Question Answered: "Which?"

5. Interrogative Adjectives

These adjectives are used to ask questions and are followed by a noun.

Examples:

  • What manner of man is he?

  • Which way shall we go?

  • Whose book is this?

6. Emphasizing Adjectives

Words such as "own" and "very" are used for emphasis.

Examples:

  • I saw it with my own eyes.

  • That is the very thing we need.

7. Exclamatory Adjectives

These adjectives express strong emotion or surprise.

Examples:

  • What genius!

  • What an idea!

Formation of Adjectives

(i) From Nouns:

  • Boy → Boyish

  • King → Kingly

  • Silk → Silken

  • Gold → Golden

(ii) From Verbs:

  • Tire → Tireless

  • Talk → Talkative

(iii) From Other Adjectives:

  • Tragic → Tragical

  • Sick → Sickly

Exercises

Exercise 1: Identifying Adjectives

Pick out the adjectives from the following sentences and classify them:

  1. The ship sustained heavy damage. (Quality)

  2. I have called several times. (Number: Indefinite)

  3. Every dog has his day. (Distributive)

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with Suitable Adjectives

  1. The town stood a long siege.

  2. The first prize was won by a Hindu.

  3. The old woman lives in a wretched hut.

Exercise 3: Forming Adjectives

Form adjectives from the following nouns and use them in sentences:

  • Ease → Easy → This is an easy task.

  • Pain → Painful → He had a painful experience.

  • Love → Lovely → She wore a lovely dress.

Exercise 4: Opposites of Adjectives

Provide adjectives opposite in meaning:

  • Courageous → Cowardly

  • Many → Few

  • Wild → Tame

  • Hot → Cold

  • Honest → Dishonest

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