A word used as a noun to describe or point out, the person, animal, place or thing which the noun names, or to tell the number or quantity, is called Adjectives.
- Sita is a clever girl. (Girl of what kind?)
- I don’t like that boy. (Which boy?)
- He gave me five mangoes. (How many mangoes?)
- There is little time for preparation. How much time?)
So we may define an Adjective as a word used with a noun to add something for its meaning.
Kinds of Adjectives
Adjective may be divided into the following classes:
Adjective of Quality (or Descriptive Adjective):
show the kind or quality of a person or thing; as
- Kolkata is a large city.
- He is an honest man.
- The foolish old crow tried to sing.
Adjectives of Quality answer the question: Of what kind?
Adjectives of Quantity:
show how much of a thing is meant; as
- I ate some rice
- He showed much patience.
- He has little intelligence.
- You have no sense.
Adjective of Quantity answer the question: How much?
Adjectives of Number (or Numeral Adjective):
show how many persons or things are meant, or in what order or thing stands; as
- The hand has five fingers.
- Few cats like cold water.
- There are no pictures in this book.
- I have taught you many things.
Adjectives of Number answer the question: How many?
Adjectives of Number (or Numeral Adjective):
Numeral Adjective are of things kinds:
1.Definite Numeral Adjective, which denotes an exact number.
One, two, three etc. (These are called Cardinals)
First, second, third, etc. (These are called Ordinals)
2. Indefinite Numeral Adjectives, which do not denote an exact number
All, no; many, few; any; certain, several
3. Distributive Numeral Adjectives, which refer to each one of a number
- Each boy must take his turn.
- India expects every man to do his family.
- Every word of it is false.
- Either pen will do.
Demonstrative Adjectives:
point out which person or thing is meant; as
- This boy is stronger than Hari.
- That boy is industries
- These mangoes are sour.
- Those rascals must be punished.
- Don’t be in such a hurry.
- I hate such things.
Interrogative Adjectives:
What, which and whose, when they are used with nouns to ask questions, are Called Interrogative Adjectives; as
- What manner of man is he?
- Which way shall we go?
- Whose book is this?
- Who are you?