Functions of adjectives
Test your knowledgeAdjectives describe the aspects of nouns. When an adjective is describing a noun, we say it is "modifying" it. Adjectives can:
Describe feelings or qualities,
Examples
- He is a lonely man.
- They are honest.
Give nationality or origin,
Examples
- I heard a French song.
- This clock is German.
- Our house is Victorian.
Tell more about a thing's characteristics,
Examples
- That is a flashy car.
- The knife is sharp.
Tell us about age,
Examples
- He's a young man.
- My coat is old.
Tell us about size and measurement,
Examples
- John is a tall man.
- This film is long.
Tell us about colour,
Examples
- Paul wore a red shirt.
- The sunset was crimson.
Tell us what something is made of,
Examples
- The table is wooden.
- She wore a cotton dress.
Tell us about shape,
Examples
- I sat at a round table.
- The envelope is square.
Express a judgement or a value.
Examples
- That was a fantastic film.
- Grammar is complicated.