Functions of adjectives

Adjectives 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.
Test your knowledge