Quick Notes

Quick Notes

English Chapter 3: Reading Skills
3.5 Adjectives
 
In linguistics, an adjective is a word that modifies a noun or noun phrase or describes its referent.
 
  Adjectives  
     
  Are words that describe nouns.   
     
 
 
4.1  Types of Adjectives
 
Adjectives Examples
Describes colour
(a)   She puts on brown robes and a gold chain. 
(b)   She likes red lipstick.
Describes size
(a)   My uncle has a long moustache.
(b)   My sister has tiny feet.
Describes quality
(a)   He is an ideal candidate for the Teenage Hero Programme.
(b)   That resort has excellent service. 
Possessive adjectives
(a)   She likes your hat.
(b)   I think her dog has eaten my gerbil.

 

 
4.2  Prefixes
 
You can form negative adjectives by adding prefixes such as 'dis-', 'un-', or 'im-' before the adjectives.
 
Prefixes Adjectives
un happy
dis loyal
im pure
un real
dis honest
im mature
 
 
4.3  Comparative Adjectives
 

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two nouns or pronouns. 
 
  • You must add '-er' and 'than' to the adjective when comparing two objects. 
  • Note: When comparing two objects, the word 'than' must follow after the comparative adjective. 
  1. This bag is lighter than that one.
  2. Her hair is thicker than Amy's.
 
  • For two syllables adjectives ending with '-y', change the 'y' to '-i' and add '-er'.
  1. happy: happier
  2. lovely: lovelier
 
  • For some adjectives with two or more syllables, use 'more' followed by the adjective and 'than'. 
  1. modern: more modern than
  2. comfortable: more comfortable than
 
  • Superlative adjectives are used to compare at least three nouns or pronouns.
  • You must add '-est' to the adjective and 'the' before it. 
  1. Jerry is the tallest boy in the class.
  2. Maya is the prettiest girl in the beauty contest.
 
  • Some adjectives are irregular.
 
 
Adjectives Good Bad Far
Comparatives Better Worse Further
Superlatives Best Worst Furthest