Adjectives clarify the noun by answering one of the following different questions: "What kind?

" or
"Which?" or "How many?"

 "The tall girl is riding her bike." Tall tells the reader which girl the writer is talking about.
 “Our old van needs to be replaced soon.” Old tells the reader what kind of van the writer is
describing.
 "The tough professor gave us the final exam." Tough tells the reader what kind of professor the
writer is talking about. Final tells us which exam.
 "Fifteen students passed the midterm exam; twelve students passed the final
exam." Fifteen and twelve both tell the reader how many students; midterm and final both tell
the reader which exam.

Kinds of adjectives
The main kinds are:
(a) Demonstrative: this, that, these, those
(b) Distributive: each, every ; either, neither
(c) Quantitative: some, any, no ; little/few ; many, much ; one, twenty
(d) Interrogative: which, what, whose
(e) Possessive: my, your, his, her, its, our, your, their
(f) Of Quality: clever, dry, fat, golden, good, heavy, square

Here is a chart that summarizes which adjectives modify countable or uncountable nouns.

Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Many Little Some/Any

Few Much Plenty of

A little bit of Enough

No

A lot of/Lots of

Position of adjectives
1. Kinds of adjectives refered above from (a) to (e) are used before the noun and are said to be
predicative adjective.
 This Boy, Which Book, Every Person, twenty players
2. When cardinal and ordinal are used together, ordinal precedes the cardinal.
 The fifteen first players will be playing the match. (use first fifteen players)

3. Adjectives of quality, however, can come either before their nouns:

a rich man a happy girl
4. Adjective comes after a verb such as (a) be, become, seem, appear, feel, get/grow (= become), keep,
look (= appear), make, smelt, sound, taste, turn.
 Tom became rich.
 Ann seems happy.
 Tom felt cold.
Note: Adjectives in this position are called predicative adjectives. Verbs used in this way are called link
verbs

Order of adjectives of quality

1. A Several variations are possible but a fairly usual order is: adjectives of
(a) size (except little)
(b) general description (excluding adjectives of personality, emotion etc.)
(c) age, and the adjective little
(d) shape
(e) colour
(f) material
(g) origin
(h) purpose (these are really gerunds used to form compound nouns: walking stick, riding boots).
 a long sharp knife a small round bath
 new hexagonal coins blue velvet curtains
 an old plastic bucket an elegant French dock
2. Adjectives of personality/emotion come after adjectives of physical description, including dark, fair,
pale, but before colours:
 a small suspicious official a long patient queue
 a pale anxious girl a kindly black doctor
 an inquisitive brown dog

correct use of some adjectives

Each/Every
1. Each refers to all members of a group though we think of them more one by one
(individually). Each can be used to talk about two or more people/things.
 There are two students. Each is intelligent.
 Each child was reading a different book (dissimilar action)
2. we use a singular (countable) noun after the word Each. (Each + singular countable noun)
 Make sure you enjoy each moment in your life.
 They play the national anthem of each country before the game begins.
 Live each day as if it were your last.
3. Each can be followed by a determiner (my, his, the, etc.) and a plural noun. (Each of + determiner +
plural noun)
 I kiss each of my children before they go to bed at night.
 The teacher had a little kid holding on to each of her hands.
 Each of the guides has a different group to show around the museum.
4. We can only use the pronouns you/us/them after each of. (Each of + pronoun (you/us/them))
 He gave each of us a small gift at the end of the course.
 You need to wash each of them before use.
 Each of you needs to complete the assignment individually.

Note: the verb following each of + pronoun should be in the singular form.

5. Each can be used by itself (without a noun) as a pronoun.

 When the students finished to course, each was given a certificate. (Each = each of the students)
 I gave my children each an ice cream.
6. Each can be used after the noun (or pronoun) it describes. (Noun/Pronoun + each)
 The parents gave their children some pocket money. To avoid problems, they each received the
same amount.
7. Each can be used after an auxiliary verb or the verbs Are and Were. (Auxiliary Verb/To Be + each)
 I have four books to sell and they are each worth around five dollars.
 They have each been told their responsibilities.

Every
1. Every refers to all members of a group though considered individually. It can be used to talk about three
or more people/things.
 The Olympic Games are held every four years.
 Every child was reading a book. (similar action)
2. The noun that comes after Every is in singular form. (Every + singular noun)
 I have visited every country in South America (we do NOT say: every countries)
 I can understand every word our teacher says. (we do NOT say: every words)

Note, when you use every + noun as a subject, it uses a singular verb (verb + s)

 Every day is a chance to learn something new.

 Every child needs love and care.
 Every house on the street looks the same.
3. Every can be followed by a plural noun when there is a number before that noun. This is common with
periods of time or things at regular intervals. (Every + number + plural noun)
 He gets his head shaved every three weeks.
 You need to take a break every two hours.
4. We can also use every without a number and a singular noun to refer to regular intervals:
 He plays football every Saturday.
  She goes to the gym every day.

SOME/ANY
1. We use some with uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns to indicate that there is a quantity
of something or that there are a number of persons, places, or things, without being precise. In Simple
words, we use some to indicate quantity or number in affirmative sentences.
 There is some truth in the statement.
 He has some good pictures.
 Some people find it offensive.
2. we use some if we expect an affirmative answer and any if we expect a negative answer.
 Will you show me some good pictures?
 Do you have any money?
 Please give me some water. I am feeling thirsty.
 You seem to have everything. Do you need any help?
3. We can use some to mean quite a large amount or number.
 You need some knowledge to answer these questions.
 It took him some years to be back on rails.
4. We can also use some before a number that is not very accurate.
 He weighs some eighty kilograms.
 The city is some forty kilometers from here.
5. We use some when we don’t emphasize the identity of a person or thing.
 There is some faction that is opposing the move.
 There are some bad elements who don’t want peace to prevail.

ANY
1. We use any before countable and uncountable nouns to refer to a quantity of something that may or
may not exist.
 I can tell you the quantity without any precision.
 You can by any good shirt.
 He is just like any other player.
2. We use any in questions to ask whether something exists or not.
 Do you have any storybook?
 Is there any person who has seen him?
3. We use any in negative statements to say that something does not exist.
 She does not know any person here.
 There is hardly any good thing in this story.
 I don’t find any mangoes in the market.

SEVERAL
1. We use several to denote number which is not precise and not very large but which is more than two.
 There are several instances of negligence.
 I have seen the Taj several times.
 He failed in his effort several times.
 Several proposals are under consideration.

Little/A little/ The little

Little : hardly, any

Little  There was little time for consultation.(insignificant amount of)
(Used with There is little sugar in the milk. You can’t make tea.(insignificant amount of)
uncountable A little: some but not much
nouns) Put a little sugar in the milk. (some amount of)
 There was a little time for consultation.(some amount of )
The little: not much but all that is available
 The little information he had was not reliable.
 The little time we spent on reading the text was not enough to be able to
answer the questions.

Few/ A few/ The few

Few : hardly, any (negative)

Few  I have few books (hardly any)
(Used with It was a long kept secret so few people knew about it.
countable A few: some but not many (positive)
nouns) I have a few books (some)
 There was a little time for consultation.(some amount of )
The few: not many but all that is available
 I have read the few books that are in the library.
 The few plants that are found in deserts are called xerophytes.

Other/another/others
1. Another means one more, an additional, an extra, an alternative, a different (another= an +other)

Another bag another one another big basket

2. Another is a determiner (and a qualifier) that goes before a singular countable noun or a pronoun.
(another+ singular countable noun)
 He has bought another motorbike.
 Would you like another cup of coffee?
3. Sometimes another is used as a pronoun.
 That piece of cake was tasty. I think I’ll have another. (another = one more piece of cake)
  I don’t like this room. Let’s ask for another. (another = another room)
4. Another can be used before a plural noun when there is a number before that noun or before phrases
such as a couple of, a few etc.
 We need another three teachers before classes begin.
 He was given another couple of months to finish the sculpture.

Other
1. Other means one more in addition to one already mentioned alternatively; different
 There is no other way to do it.
 I have two pens. One is green and the other is blue.

2. Other can be followed by a plural countable noun. (other + Plural Countable Noun)

 We have other styles if you are interested.

 Have you got any other dresses, or are these the only ones?
3. Any/No/All are followed by other when superlative is made comparative and positive.

No +other + Noun+…………………as + positive degree of adjective + as + ……………

 no other kings is as great as Ashoka.

comparative degree of adjective + any + other +……………..

 you are better than any other friend of mine.

All + other +…………..

 All other boys in my class are intelligent than me.

Some common rules of adjectives

1. There are some adjectives which can’t be made comparative and superlative by adding more or
most.

Some of these adjectives are

Unique, Universal, Complete, Round, Circular, Golden, Milky, Interior, Exterior, Perfect, Unmatched,
Triangular, Rectangular, Yearly, Monthly, Weekly, Final, Last, Supreme, Last, Vacant, Absolute,
Impossible, Chief, Entire etc.

 Taj Mahal is the most unique art in the world. (incorrect)

 Taj Mahal is the unique art in the world. (correct)

But,
  Minor, Major, Ulterior, Interior, Exterior are the adjective of positive degree. So, ‘than’ and ‘to’
are not used after them.
 Preposition ‘to’ is used after the adjectives Senior, Junior, Inferior, Prior, Superior, Anterior,
Posterior. These are not followed by than.
2. When one is chosen out of two, we use a comparative degree preceded by ‘the’ and followed by ‘of’.
 He is the most amiable person of the two brothers. (incorrect)
 He is the most amiable person of the two brothers. (correct)
3. If ,one is chosen out of more than two or all , superlative degree is used preceded by ‘the’ and followed
by ‘of’.
 Sachin is the best player in the Indian cricket history.
4. Don’t use two comparative or superlative degrees together in a sentence.
 I am more happier here than I was in the America.(incorrect)
 I am happier her than I was in the America.(correct)
5. When comparing two qualities of a noun or a pronoun don’t use ‘er’ form, use more + positive degree.
 Mohan is wiser than rich. (incorrect)
 Mohan is more wise than rich.(correct)
 Mohan is wiser than sohan. (correct ,because, here, two qualities are not compared)
6. Don’t use comparative degrees with relatively and comparatively.
 They are comparatively better than Krishna.(incorrect)
 They are better than Krishna.(correct)
7. Always use similes with Twice/half/thrice/times for comparison. Use this structure

Twice/half/thrice/time + so/as +positive degree of adjective +as + ……

 I am three times wiser than you

 I am three times as wise as you
 My girlfriend is twice as beautiful as yours
8. Two adjectives joined with a conjunction should be in the same degree.
 The economic condition got worse and unstable during the recession. (incorrect)
 The economic condition got worse and more unstable during the recession. (correct)
 He is the most talented but unfortunately less know artist. (incorrect)
 He is the most talented but unfortunately least know artist. (correct)
9. If different prepositions are needed with different adjectives, suitable preposition must be used with
each of them.
 Ram is senior to and superior to me.
10. There are some pairs of adjectives. These adjective pairs are used according to the meaning of the
sentence.

Opposite people = dissimilar people People opposite = on the other side

 Method proper = real, core, the main part Proper method = ethical , right
Responsible person = accountable person Person responsible = guilty
Involved characteristics = complex, complicated Characteristics involved = related, involved
Present employee = current strength Employee present = attendance
Concerned parents = anxious, worried Parents concerned = related parents
 The police are looking for the responsible person. (Incorrect)
 The police are looking for the person responsible. (correct)
 The principal tried to pacify the parents concerned . (incorrect(
 The principal tried to pacify the concerned parents. (correct)
11. Fewer is used with the countable noun whereas less is used with uncountable noun.
 I had to pay fifty rupees less for that shirt.
 No fewer than 100 students failed the examination
 Mr. Sharma has bought no fewer than 2 dozen eggs and no less than 3 litre milk.
12. Some confusing pairs of adjectives.

Later = afterwards Latter = the 2nd of the two  I didn’t find the latter half of the
movie.
 I reached at 10 am. But he was
later than I expected,
Latest= recent (time) Last = at the end (position)  The latest movie Sanju hits the
blockbuster.
 He stood last in the competition.
Older = age, people Elder = siblings  Our civilization is the oldest
civilization
 My elder brother lives in Canada
Further = additional Farther = more distant  He insisted on further
improvement
 My house farther than my office
Nearest = closest Next = the following (order)  In any emergency, contact the
nearest hospital
 The boy sitting next to me is my
cousin.

13. When two persons or things are compared, it is important that the same parts of things should be
compared.
 The population of Bombay is greater than Delhi. (incorrect)
 The population of Bombay is greater than that of Delhi. (correct)
14. The + noun gives the sense of adjective and plural in meaning.
In this case Noun is not made plural by adding ‘s’ and ‘es’.
 The poor are getting poor and the rich are getting richer.
 Alms are given to the poor.

EXERCISE
 Common errors in Adjective
1. A day before yesterday (a)/ she met with an (b)/ accident and her every hand (c)/ was bruised badly
(d)/ no error (e).
2. Kolkata is further (a)/ from Alwar (b)/ than Jaipur, (c)/ the capital of Rajasthan (d)/ no error
3. It seems to me (a)/ that neither girls are (b)/ going to participate (c)/ in this beauty contest (d)/ no
error (e).
4. Radha is (a)/ the older of (b)/ the two (c)/ sisters (d)/ No error (e)
5. She can’t sing (a)/ much than (b)/ four songs at (c)/ a stretch, he informed (d)/ no error (e)
6. I must not hesitate (a)/ to affirm that no book (b)/ is as useful and (c)/ fruitful as this one (d)/ no error
(e).
7. The population of India (a)/ is going to be more than China (b)/ in the text (c)/ two or years (d)/ no
error (e)
8. Taking lemon tea (a)/ is more preferable (b)/ to any other (c)/ sort of drink (d)/ no error (e).
9. The climate (a)/ of Shimla (b)/ is as good (c)/ as Kashmir (d)/ no error (e)
10. This table is (a)/ twice heavier than (b)/ that of yours and (c)/ thrice as cheap as that one (d)/ no error
(e).
11. Her sister (a)/ is as good, (b)/ if not better (c)/ than you (d)/ no error (e).
12. Ram is (a)/ wiser than intelligent (b)/ but he is not ready (c)/ to accept this fact (d)/ no error (e)
13. I saw the world (a)/ trade centre and the twin tower (b)/ tumbling and collapsing (c)/ before my very
eyes (d)/ no error (e)
14. I gave her a little money (a)/ because I had to buy (b)/ a few items of furniture and some articles (c)/
of dress and it was to fall short with me (d)/ no error (e).
15. I need more unique furniture (a)/ for my new flats (b)/ as I am going to present it to my (c)/ better
half on our first marriage anniversary (d)/ no error (e)
16. If you work hard, (a)/ your will have the most excellent (b)/ command of the English language (c)/
very soon (d)/ no error (e).
17. She does not have (a)/ Some money to buy (b)/ a new refrigerator (c)/ so she is worried (d)/ no
error(e)
18. You will have much (a)/ problems in your life (b)/ but none of them will harm (c)/ you even in the
least (d)/ no error (e).
19. This book is (a)/ as good, if (b)/ not better than that book. (c)/ no error (d)
20. His blonde long hair (a)/ adds glamour to his looks (b)/ and long heard makes (c)/ him look like a saint
(d)/ no error (e).
21. Before you leave (a)/ for market will you please (b)/ let me know how many eggs and milk (c)/ you
have to bring (d)/ no error (e).
22. Little knowledge (a)/ of shoe – making that (b)/ he had proved (c)/ very useful to him (d)/ no error (e)
23. No less than lacs of spectators are (a)/ waiting for Sachin to come out (b)/ in the field and play his (c)/
masterful stroke (d)/ no error (e).
24. Whole the chapter (a)/ of this grammar book is full of errors, (b)/ that shows the (c)/ carelessness of
the proof reader (d)/ no error (e)
25. The population of India (a)/ is going to be more than China (b)/ in the n next (c)/ two or three years
(d)/ no error (e).
26. You can start a business (a)/ with Himanshu, (b)/ because he is (c)/ an honest man in his dealings (d)/
no error (e).
27. Of all the students (a)/ Anand was less worried (b)/ and anxious when the (c)/ result of SBI was
declared (d)/ no error (e).
28. Few filthy comments (a)/ you made on her (b)/ have cut to the quick, (c)/ so you must apologies her
for this (d)/ no error (e)
29. The reason why nobody (a)/ is interested in learning (b)/ from him is that (c)/ he is a worst teacher
(d)/ no error (e).
30. The food tasted deliciously (a)/ and all present (b)/ in the party (c)/ enjoyed it to their fill (d)/ no error
(e).

ANSWER KEY

Q.NO Answer Q.NO Answer Q.NO Answer

1 3 11 2 21 3
2 1 12 2 22 1
3 2 13 4 23 1
4 2 14 1 24 1
5 2 15 1 25 2
6 2 16 2 26 4
7 2 17 2 27 4
8 2 18 1 28 1
9 4 19 2 29 4
10 2 20 1 30 1