adjective

Everyday

1. An adjective is a word that describes a noun, telling us more about a person, place or thing, like «big», «red», «happy» or «three». tree →
2. Adjectives can come before a noun («a tall tree») or after verbs like «is» and «seems» («the tree is tall»). tree →

In the lessons

In English grammar lessons pupils find adjectives, use them to make writing more interesting («an expanded noun phrase»: «the gloomy, silent castle»), and learn comparatives and superlatives (big, bigger, biggest; good, better, best). Phrases: «comparative adjective», «superlative adjective», «adjective of size, colour, shape». In maths word problems, adjectives like «each», «every», «more», «fewer» carry number meaning.

Examples

• «Fluffy» is an adjective in «a fluffy kitten». tree →
• Add two adjectives to describe the monster. tree →
• «Happy» is an adjective; «happiness» is a noun. tree →
• The comparative of the adjective «big» is «bigger». tree →
• In «The sky is blue», «blue» is an adjective after the verb. tree →
• Use an adjective of colour and one of size: «a small green frog». tree →
• «Good, better, best» are forms of one adjective. tree →

Note

Plural «adjectives»; «an adjective». English adjectives do not change for plural: «a red car, two red cars» (not «reds cars»). Order trap: in English the usual order is opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material: «a lovely big old round red French wooden table». Do not confuse with adverbs, which describe verbs: «a quick run» (adjective), «run quickly» (adverb).

In Jewish tradition

In English grammar lessons pupils find adjectives, use them to make writing more interesting («an expanded noun phrase»: «the gloomy, silent castle»), and learn comparatives and superlatives (big, bigger, biggest; good, better, best). Phrases: «comparative adjective», «superlative adjective», «adjective of size, colour, shape». In maths word problems, adjectives like «each», «every», «more», «fewer» carry number meaning.

Examples

• The true adjective for living is ChIA. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

Plural «adjectives»; «an adjective». English adjectives do not change for plural: «a red car, two red cars» (not «reds cars»). Order trap: in English the usual order is opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material: «a lovely big old round red French wooden table». Do not confuse with adverbs, which describe verbs: «a quick run» (adjective), «run quickly» (adverb).