Adjectives “Describing” words
What are adjectives? An adjective is a word used to describe a noun or pronoun or to give a more specific meaning. Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns.
What are adjectives? Adjective answer these questions about their noun or pronoun: What kind? Which one? How many? How much?
What Kind? Red boat Sick passenger Silver jewelry Cool water
Which one? Third chance This train Any piece Those apples
How many? Six cars Both answers Several reasons Few reasons
How much? Enough space No rain More energy Little effort
Placement of adjectives Adjectives usually come before the word it modifies, but it may come after the noun/pronoun. Examples: The sick child lay in bed. The child, sick with fever, lay in bed. She was sick for a week. Sick in bed, he was very bored.
Practice Identify each adjective and the word it modifies. Small work boats were sailed for pleasure in colonial times. The first pleasure schooner was built in It was built specifically as a large, luxurious yacht. American yacht clubs started around the 1840’s. Six members financed America’s first racing yacht.
Articles AIndefinite article (refers to any person, place, thing, or idea) AnIndefinite article TheDefinite article (refers to a specific person, place, thing, or idea) Definite: The catcher wore the face mask. Indefinite: Give me a book that you think I would enjoy.
Articles Practice Give the definite or indefinite article needed to complete each sentence: 1.(definite) first passenger train cars were 15 feet long and 17 feet wide. 2.They were built like (indefinite) stagecoach with railroad wheels. 3.Later, six wheels were placed on (definite) passenger cars. 4.Today, they are (indefinite) variety of passenger cars. 5.(definite) typical passenger car has (indefinite) aisle with seats on either side.
Nouns Used as Adjectives A noun used as an adjective answers the question What kind? or Which one? About a noun that follows it. Examples: guitarguitar music (what kind of music?) eveningevening meal (which meal?)
Identify the nouns used as adjectives: 1.For a fun vacation, some families plan road trips to state monuments and historic sites. 2.This type of family vacation requires a review of state maps to plan a route. 3.The first step is for family members to choose a destination. 4.Next, highway routes should be highlighted and studied for the best stops and visitor attractions. 5.Once a route is chosen, the road miles should be calculated.
Proper Adjectives A proper adjective is a proper noun used as an adjective or an adjective formed from a proper noun. Example: DickensDickens novel (what kind of novel?) ChicagoChicago storm JeffersonJeffersonian democracy MexicoMexican art
Compound Adjectives A compound adjective is an adjective made up of more than one word. They are often written as hyphenated words. However, they can also be separate words or combined words. Examples: Far-off landfarsighted leader hard-shell crabs
Identify the proper and compound adjectives in these sentences: 1.Francis Drake attempted a three-year circumnavigation of the globe. 2.After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Drake sailed down the South American coast. 3.Drake lighted the expedition by disposing of two unfit ships and one high-spirited gentleman. 4.Drake then sailed into a Pacific storm. 5.For the next five and a half months, his crew raided Spanish settlements at will.
Pronouns Used as Adjectives A personal pronoun that can be used as an adjective answers the question Which one? About a noun that follows it. Example: My daughter left her new backpack at school.
Identify the personal pronoun being used as an adjective, and the word it modifies. 1.Have you asked a professional captain for his advice? 2.A professional can help you chart your course. 3.My sister enjoyed her friends’ boat. 4.Their boat is large and has eight cabins. 5.Our goal is to have a small boat someday.
Other Pronouns as Adjectives Demonstrative adjectives: this, that, these, those Pronoun: She sailed these. Adjective: She sailed these boats. Interrogative adjectives: which, what, whose Pronoun: Which did she see? Adjective: Which ship did she see? Indefinite adjectives Each boat had several sails. They bought more rigging.
Identify the pronoun being used as adjectives. Are they demonstrative, interrogative, or indefinite? 1.Each stateroom has a private breakfast room. 2.Some cruise ships stop in the Bahamas. 3.Those ships depart often from East Coast ports. 4.Many boats sail to Central and South America. 5.What kind of cruise would you like to take?