Adjectives and Adverbs Learn how to describe nouns and verbs!
Adjectives Adjectives are used to describe nouns (people, places, and objects). The band was so energetic, people stayed all night. Since energetic describes the band, it’s an adjective. Ages are adjectives because they describe people, animals, or plants. The eight-year-old sang The National Anthem. The articles a, an, and the are adjective. They took the kids to school. Since the modifies kids, it’s an adjective Colors are always adjectives. They bought a green car. Since green describes the car, it’s an adjective.
Capitalizing Adjective If an adjective originates from a proper noun, then it should be capitalized. French fries, Christian literature, Renaissance man, Victorian women Directional and seasonal adjectives are not normally capitalized unless they are in a title. The northwest trail offers great views of the city. The fall leaves are beautiful in Shenandoah National Park.
Punctuating Adjectives If you can put an and or but between the adjectives, separate them with a comma. The tall, distinguished politician tripped on stage. Since you can say the tall and distinguished politician, use a comma. I live in an old, refurbished house. Since you can say I live in an old but refurbished house, use a comma.
More Examples If saying and or but between the adjectives sounds awkward, don’t use one. She has a big black dog. Since it sounds awkward to say big and black dog, do not use a comma. This seems tricky. Take your time and read each sentence aloud. If and or but fits, use a comma.
Adverbs Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Adverbs often end in –ly. Adverbs answer questions such as how? To what extend? In what way? When? Where? Carefully lift the box. I often run. Crabs walk sideways. She is always late. He is downstairs. The band was very late. They are too tired to study.
Adverb Placement Adverbs can be placed anywhere in the sentence. It has not rained lately. Lately, I have been been reading more books. He hardly ever goes to the movies. She went to the movies today. They are recovering slowly. He was running slowly to avoid injury. She left yesterday, but will return today.