adjectives

1. Adjectives ENG 110 Prof. K. Horowitz

3. Objectives This module is designed to give students a refresher course on the function and types of adjectives used in English. By the end of the module, students should be able to identify adjectives in a sentence and determine what type it is.

4. Introduction Just like in Spanish, English has words that modify, or describe, nouns. There are two types and they have a very important function within the language.

5. Spanish-speaking students often tend to incorrectly identify nouns because they instead identify the adjective modifying it. Many times, this occurs because adjectives in English can only come before the noun and not after it.

6. What Is An Adjective? Adjectives modify, or describe a noun, although nouns can assume this function on certain occasions (possessive�s, for example). Adjectives themselves can be modified by including a determiner (usually a qualifier or intensifier). These determiners specify the degree or quantity of the quality for which the adjective stands. Adjectives can only come before a noun.

7. Adjectives are also modified themselves by words called intensifiers, which indicate grade of intensity. Some examples are very, slightly, somewhat, and highly. Intensifiers also modify adverbs the same way.

8. Adjectives & Intensifiers EX: The tall man. Here, the adjective tall is modifying the noun man by indicating what type of man he is. And� The very tall man. Here, the intensifier very is modifying the adjective tall by indicating just how tall the man is.

9. Attribute Adjectives An attribute adjective is one that comes directly before a noun, like in new car or best friend. Notice how the adjective is right before noun? It�s called attributive because it describes an attribute, or characteristic, of the noun it is modifying. You can only find attribute adjectives before a noun, never after.

10. Look at this sentence. The tall man is very handsome. The word tall is functioning as an attribute adjective. It modifies the noun that comes after it.

11. Predicate Adjectives A predicate adjective is one that is found after the main verb of a sentence. Everything after the verb is considered to be part of the predicate, which is why these adjectives bear the name.

12. Look at the following sentence: The girl in the movie seemed very happy. The word happy refers directly to the girl (subject), since it is she and not the movie that is happy. It is a predicate adjective, since it follows the main verb.

13. Gradable & Non-Gradable Adjectives As a whole, adjectives are either gradable or non-gradable. Certain types of adjectives can be categorized by degree (or grade). Ex: somewhat late, rather late, very late, and extremely late. Non-gradable adjectives do no express degree in any way. Ex: dead, mortal, nuclear.

14. Try Your Luck! Let�s see if you can identify the attribute adjective in the following sentence: My little brother is quite smart.

15. Now see if you can find the predicative adjective in this sentence: The large dog seemed somewhat angry at me.

16. Practice Exercises Identify the adjectives in these sentences. 1. Jack is very smart. 2. My little sister is in school. 3. I would love some hot coffee. 4. The man is quite happy. 5. Andrew was sitting under a big tree. 6. Would your nice friend help me? 7. This burger is yummy! 8. I hate cold soup. 9. You can see my house from here! 10. Cindy showed us a new car.

17. You�ve done a great job! See you next module!

18. Success!

19. Incorrect! Please Try Again.