ADJECTIVES Grades 7 & 8 by Mrs. Johnson

Descriptive Adjectives A descriptive adjective gives information about a noun or pronoun. It tells number, size, color, or another quality. An adjective usually comes before the noun it modifies, but sometimes it can come after. Two large, black vases are on display. Two, large, and black are adjectives that modify vases. The vase, ancient and cracked, was found nearby. Ancient and cracked are adjectives that modify vase.

Subject Complement An adjective acts as a subject complement when it follows a linking verb and describes the subject. People were fearful because of the disaster. Fearful is a subject complement because it follows the linking verb were and modifies the subject people. The vase is green. Green is a subject complement because it follows the linking verb is and modifies the subject vase.

Object Complement An adjective can be an object complement when it describes the direct object that it follows. The disaster left people fearful. Fearful is an object complement because it modifies the direct object people. The artist painted the vase green. Green is the object complement because it modifies the direct object vase.

Demonstrative Adjectives Demonstrative adjectives point out definite people, places, things, or ideas. NEAR FAR SINGULAR this that PLURAL these those This glass is half full. Those bags are light.

Interrogative Adjectives Interrogative adjectives are used in questions. The interrogative adjectives are what, which, and who. What equipment do you need? Which tennis racket on the table is yours? Whose uniform is that?

Indefinite Adjectives Indefinite adjectives refer to any or all of a group. Singular another, each, every, either, neither Neither boy is to blame for the accident. Every student should write a thank-you note. Plural all, any, both, few, many, more, most, much, other, several, some Few students are chosen for this honor. They have walked this path many times.

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives POSITIVE COMPARATIVE Compare 2 items SUPERLATIVE Compare 3 or more items warm warmer warmest wise wiser wisest important more important most important courteous more courteous most courteous famous less famous least famous thoughtful less thoughtful least thoughtful

Few and Little Use few, fewer, and fewest with concrete nouns that can be counted. A concrete noun can be seen, touched, or counted. Lorna made few free throws. Jackie’s report contained the fewest errors of all. Use little, less, and least with abstract nouns that cannot be counted. An abstract noun cannot be seen, touched, or counted. My brother has less time to practice than I do. Of all the students, Debbie showed the least motivation.

Adjective Phrases When a prepositional phrase modifies a noun it is an adjective phrase. Prepositions that begin adjective phrases include with, to, in, at, of, under, and over. Did they see the ruins of the missions? Of the missions modifies ruins. Shirts in bright colors are often worn by young people. In bright colors modifies shirts.

Adjectives Clauses A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a predicate. A dependent clause does not express a complete thought. Some dependent clauses can be used as adjective clauses when they modify a noun. California, which was once a part of the Spanish empire, has many historic sites. Which was once a part of the Spanish empire modifies California. The shirt that I bought has red flowers on a white background. That I bought modifies shirt.

Adjective Clauses An adjective clause usually begins with a relative pronoun or a subordinate conjunction. Relative Pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, that Subordinate Conjunctions: where, when A restrictive clause is necessary for the meaning of the sentence. (no commas) Today the ruins are a picturesque site that attracts many tourists. A nonrestrictive clause is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence. (commas) Maui, which is one of the Hawaiian islands, is a popular tourist destination.