Why is it called an adjective

Articles [a, an, the] are usually classified as adjectives. An adverb describes or modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, but never a noun.

It usually answers the questions of when, where, how, why, under what conditions, or to what degree. Adverbs often end in -ly. A preposition is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to form a phrase modifying another word in the sentence.

Therefore a preposition is always part of a prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase almost always functions as an adjective or as an adverb. The following list includes the most common prepositions:. A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses, and indicates the relationship between the elements joined. Coordinating conjunctions connect grammatically equal elements: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.

Subordinating conjunctions connect clauses that are not equal: because, although, while, since, etc. There are other types of conjunctions as well. An interjection is a word used to express emotion. It is often followed by an exclamation point. This and these indicate things nearby in time or space , while that and those suggest distance in time or space :.

This novel is the worst I've ever read; these biographies are much better. Tell me more about that author; why does she write about those events?

Possessive adjectives Possessive adjectives answer the question whose? They include my , our , your , his, her , its , and their :. Indefinite adjectives Indefinite adjectives include some , many , any , few , several , and all :. Note that these words can also be used as pronouns: Some were in bad taste ; few could carpool.

Questioning adjectives Which and what are adjectives when they modify nouns or pronouns:. Which joke did you like better, and what reason can you give for your preference? Like indefinite adjectives, the questioning or interrogative adjectives can also function as pronouns; see the TIP Sheets "Pronouns" and "Pronoun Reference. Adjective order and punctuation Some stacks of adjectives can be rearranged freely without changing the meaning.

They are coordinate adjectives , and they are equal and separate in the way they modify a noun. For example, we can freely rearrange a dull , dark , and depressing day : a depressing , dark , dull day. Separate two or more coordinate adjectives with commas note that no comma goes immediately before the noun. Other adjective groups cannot be freely rearranged. These cumulative adjectives are not separated by commas.

Rich chocolate layer cake cannot be changed to layer chocolate rich cake. For more on identifying and punctuating coordinate and cumulative adjectives, see the TIP Sheet "Commas.

If you were born to English, you may not realize that there are rules for placing adjective groups in order. For example, the determiner a , an , the comes first, then size words, then color, then purpose:. Most students learn that adjectives are words that modify describe nouns. Adjectives do not modify verbs or adverbs or other adjectives.

Margot wore a beautiful hat to the pie-eating contest. Furry dogs may overheat in the summertime. My cake should have sixteen candles. The scariest villain of all time is Darth Vader. In the sentences above, the adjectives are easy to spot because they come immediately before the nouns they modify.

Grammarly can save you from misspellings, grammatical and punctuation mistakes, and other writing issues on all your favorite websites. But adjectives can do more than just modify nouns. They can also act as a complement to linking verbs or the verb to be.

A linking verb is a verb like to feel, to seem, or to taste that describes a state of being or a sensory experience. That cow sure is happy. It smells gross in the locker room.

Driving is faster than walking. Please use three white flowers in the arrangement. Often, when adjectives are used together, you should separate them with a comma or conjunction. My new dog is small and good-tempered.

Adjectives come in three forms: absolute, comparative, and superlative. Absolute adjectives describe something in its own right. A cool guy A messy desk A mischievous cat Garrulous squirrels. Comparative adjectives, unsurprisingly, make a comparison between two or more things. For most one-syllable adjectives, the comparative is formed by adding the suffix -er or just -r if the adjective already ends with an e.

For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, replace -y with -ier. For multi-syllable adjectives, add the word more. A cooler guy A messier desk A more mischievous cat More garrulous squirrels.