English Grammar - How Do I Use Adjectives?

TutorGiant.com

     Adding description to words is an important component of writing.

     Any word that describes a noun or a pronoun is called an ‘adjective’. 

     There are several ways to use adjectives when writing.  To gain a better understanding of adjectives you can watch the videos here at Tutorgiant.com.  Here are 4 common ways to use adjectives when writing:

1. General Adjectives

Adjectives are describing words.  For example:

“The brown dog ran in the yard.”

Here, the noun ‘dog’ is described as ‘brown’.  So ‘brown’ is the adjective.

2.  Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Add an ‘er’ to make the adjective comparative.  For example, if we add an ‘er’ to the adjective ‘small’ it becomes comparative, ‘smaller’ (it is comparative because we are saying that it is smaller than something else).

Add and ‘est’ to make the adjective superlative.  For example, if we add an ‘est’ to the adjective ‘small’ it becomes superlative (superlative meaning the most) ‘smallest’.

If ‘er’ or ‘est’ don’t sound right (such as ‘beautifuler’), add the word ‘most’ or ‘more’ in front of the adjective (e.g. more beautiful)..

3.  Demonstrative Adjectives

The words ‘this’, ‘that’, ‘these’, and ‘those’ are demonstrative. 

For example, “This house is very nice’. Here, the word ‘this’ modifies the word ‘house’.

4.  Adjective Phrases

A phrase is a group of words which has to stay together to make sense.  The following is an adjective phrase:

“The bananas on the table are mine.”

“On the table” is the adjective phrase that describes the noun ‘bananas’.

     Now you have a better understanding of adjectives.  First, try to get your child to practice using adjectives in worksheets.  Then, your child will be able to use this component of English grammar to improve his or her writing skills.

 ©Tutorgiant.com

Tutorgiant.com provides complete Adjective lessons with worksheets.

See some of the lessons in our video library.

ADJECTIVES - Lesson (A) Introduction to Adjectives (Grades 1-3)

ADJECTIVES - Lesson (B) Common and Demonstrative Adjectives (Grades 4-6)

ADJECTIVES - Lesson (C) Proper Adjectives (Grades 4-6)

ADJECTIVES - Lesson (D) Adjectives Preceded by the Word 'More' (Grades 4-6)

ADJECTIVES - Lesson (E) Comparative and Superlative Adjectives (Grades 7-8)

GOOD and WELL - Good adjectives and Well Adverbs (Grades 4-6)

COMMAS - Lesson (C) Commas and Adjectives (Grades 4-6)

SUFFIXES - Lesson (E) Suffixes -ant, -ent, -ance, -ence (Grades 7-8)