An
adjective modifies a
noun or a
pronoun
by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. An adjective
usually precedes the noun or the pronoun which it modifies.
In the following examples, the
highlighted words are adjectives:
- The truck-shaped balloon floated over the treetops.
- Mrs. Morrison papered her kitchen walls with hideous wall paper.
- The small boat foundered on the wine dark sea.
- The coal mines are dark and dank.
- Many stores have already begun to play irritating Christmas music.
- A battered music box sat on the mahogany sideboard.
- The back room was filled with large, yellow rain boots.
An adjective can be modified by an
adverb, or by a
phrase or
clause functioning as an adverb. In the
sentence
- My husband knits intricately patterned mittens.
for example, the adverb "intricately" modifies the adjective "patterned."
Some nouns, many pronouns, and many
participle phrases can also act as adjectives. In the sentence
- Eleanor listened to the muffled sounds of the radio hidden under her pillow.
for example, both
highlighted adjectives are
past participles.
Grammarians also consider
articles ("the," "a," "an") to be adjectives.
A
possessive adjective ("my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," "their") is similar or identical to a
possessive pronoun; however, it is used as an adjective and modifies a noun or a
noun phrase, as in the following sentences:
- I can't complete my assignment because I don't have the textbook.
In this sentence, the possessive adjective "my" modifies "assignment" and the noun phrase "my assignment" functions as an
object. Note that the possessive pronoun form "mine" is not used to modify a noun or noun phrase.
- What is your phone number.
Here the possessive adjective "your" is used to modify the
noun phrase "phone number"; the entire noun phrase "your phone
number" is a
subject complement. Note that the possessive pronoun form "yours" is not used to modify a noun or a noun phrase.
- The bakery sold his favourite type of bread.
In this example, the possessive adjective "his" modifies the
noun phrase "favourite type of bread" and the entire noun phrase
"his favourite type of bread" is the
direct object of the
verb "sold."
- After many years, she returned to her homeland.
Here the possessive adjective "her" modifies the noun "homeland" and the noun phrase "her homeland" is the object of the
preposition "to." Note also that the form "hers" is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases.
- We have lost our way in this wood.
In this sentence, the possessive adjective "our" modifies "way" and the noun phrase "our way" is the direct object of the
compound verb "have lost". Note that the possessive pronoun form "ours" is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases.
- In many fairy tales, children are neglected by their parents.
Here the possessive adjective "their" modifies "parents" and
the noun phrase "their parents" is the object of the preposition
"by." Note that the possessive pronoun form "theirs" is not used to
modify nouns or noun phrases.
- The cat chased its ball down the stairs and into the backyard.
In this sentence, the possessive adjective "its" modifies
"ball" and the noun phrase "its ball" is the object of the verb
"chased." Note that "its" is the possessive adjective and "it's" is a
contraction for "it is."
The
demonstrative adjectives "this," "these," "that," "those," and "what" are identical to the
demonstrative pronouns, but are used as adjectives to modify nouns or noun phrases, as in the following sentences:
- When the librarian tripped over that cord, she dropped a pile of books.
In this sentence, the demonstrative adjective "that" modifies
the noun "cord" and the noun phrase "that cord" is the object of
the preposition "over."
- This apartment needs to be fumigated.
Here "this" modifies "apartment" and the noun phrase "this apartment" is the
subject of the sentence.
- Even though my friend preferred those plates, I bought these.
In the
subordinate clause, "those" modifies "plates" and the noun phrase "those plates" is the object of the verb "preferred." In the
independent clause, "these" is the direct object of the verb "bought."
Note that the relationship between a demonstrative adjective
and a demonstrative pronoun is similar to the relationship between a
possessive adjective and a possessive pronoun, or to that between a
interrogative adjective and an
interrogative pronoun.
An
interrogative adjective
("which" or "what") is like an interrogative pronoun, except that
it modifies a noun or noun phrase rather than standing on its own
(see also demonstrative adjectives and possessive adjectives):
- Which plants should be watered twice a week?
Like other adjectives, "which" can be used to modify a noun
or a noun phrase. In this example, "which" modifies "plants" and the
noun phrase "which plants" is the subject of the compound verb
"should be watered":
- What book are you reading?
In this sentence, "what" modifies "book" and the noun phrase
"what book" is the direct object of the compound verb "are reading."
An
indefinite adjective is similar to an
indefinite pronoun, except that it modifies a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase, as in the following sentences:
- Many people believe that corporations are under-taxed.
The indefinite adjective "many" modifies the noun "people" and the noun phrase "many people" is the subject of the sentence.
- I will send you any mail that arrives after you have moved to Sudbury.
The indefinite adjective "any" modifies the noun "mail" and
the noun phrase "any mail" is the direct object of the compound verb
"will send."
- They found a few goldfish floating belly up in the swan pound.
In this example the indefinite adjective modifies the noun
"goldfish" and the noun phrase is the direct object of the verb
"found":
- The title of Kelly's favourite game is "All dogs go to heaven."
Here the indefinite pronoun "all" modifies "dogs" and the full title is a subject complement.
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