Adjectives
An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun, telling us more about it.
▶ Interact
Play with the controls to see the idea in action.
📘 Learn
An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun, telling us more about it.
- Adjectives answer which, what kind or how many
- They can compare using er and est
- Place them before the noun or after linking verbs
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Adjectives?
Within English, which covers grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, poetry, drama and the skills for clear communication, this topic explains Adjectives. English topics help you read closely and write with purpose, so each one here explains a skill and shows how it works in a model text.
Check that you can explain Adjectives in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Adjectives helps you read texts more closely and write with more control, which earns marks in both reading and writing papers.
Adjectives in detail
Adjectives describe or modify nouns, answering questions such as which one, what kind or how many: a tall tree, three red apples, the final answer. They usually come before the noun or after a linking verb (The soup is hot).
Adjectives have degrees of comparison: positive (fast), comparative (faster) and superlative (fastest), or more/most for longer words (more beautiful). When several adjectives are used, they follow a natural order, such as "a lovely small old wooden table". Vivid, specific adjectives bring writing to life, but too many can weigh it down.
How the interactive helps you understand Adjectives
Click a card to flip it and reveal the answer, then move on to the next one.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Adjectives.
Real-life uses and examples
- Support a point about Adjectives with a short, accurate quotation.
- Plan an essay paragraph by linking the technique to the reader’s response.
- Spot Adjectives when you read a poem, story or speech, then explain the effect it creates.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Naming a technique without explaining its effect on the reader.
- Quoting a long passage instead of picking a short, precise phrase.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Adjectives
What is Adjectives?
An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun, telling us more about it.
What are the most important points about Adjectives?
The main points are: Adjectives answer which, what kind or how many; They can compare using er and est; Place them before the noun or after linking verbs.
Why is Adjectives useful?
Understanding Adjectives helps you read texts more closely and write with more control, which earns marks in both reading and writing papers.
How can I practise Adjectives?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Adjectives?
Related topics in English include Conjunctions, Subjects and Predicates, Statements, Questions, Commands and Exclamations.