Section A
We use adjectives to describe or give more
information about nouns. In a noun phrase, an
adjective usually goes between a determiner
and a main noun.
I need to make some
determiner
important
adjective
decisions.
main noun
The two cars were traveling at the same speed.
What’s the idea of this essay?
Tom is a teenager.
Most of the time, we only use one or two
adjectives before a noun.
main
typical
Section B
We can use the –ing and –ed forms of verbs as
adjectives.
Medicine is an profession.
(The profession of medicine interests me.)
Bookmarks have a number of uses.
(The number of uses for bookmarks surprises me.)
GRAMMAR TERM: We call the –ing form of a verb
the present participle.
surprising
interesting
Planes have space for luggage.
(The space for luggage on planes is limited by the airline.)
English is a course.
(English is required by the university.)
GRAMMAR TERM: We call the –ed form of a verb is
the past participle.
Notice the difference in meaning between
the –ing and –ed adjectives.
limited
required
Section C
Multi-word adjectives are formed from more
than one word.
Liz is looking for a full-time job.
Your essay has well-developed ideas.
Joe is a hard-working man.
Multi-word adjectives are formed from more
than one word.
Heart disease is an age-related illness.
We had to do group-building exercises.
Most multi-word adjectives are spelled with a
hyphen. Examples of multi-word adjectives
include:
adjective + noun
adverb + -ed participle
adverb + -ing participle
noun + -ed participle
noun + -ing participle
full-time
well-developed
hard-working
age-related
group-building
Notice that we can also use more than one
adjective in a noun phrase.
Toy Story is a full-length animated movie.
The restaurant serves delicious slow-cooked meals.

9-3 Adjectives

  • 1.
  • 2.
    We use adjectivesto describe or give more information about nouns. In a noun phrase, an adjective usually goes between a determiner and a main noun. I need to make some determiner important adjective decisions. main noun The two cars were traveling at the same speed.
  • 3.
    What’s the ideaof this essay? Tom is a teenager. Most of the time, we only use one or two adjectives before a noun. main typical
  • 4.
  • 5.
    We can usethe –ing and –ed forms of verbs as adjectives. Medicine is an profession. (The profession of medicine interests me.) Bookmarks have a number of uses. (The number of uses for bookmarks surprises me.) GRAMMAR TERM: We call the –ing form of a verb the present participle. surprising interesting
  • 6.
    Planes have spacefor luggage. (The space for luggage on planes is limited by the airline.) English is a course. (English is required by the university.) GRAMMAR TERM: We call the –ed form of a verb is the past participle. Notice the difference in meaning between the –ing and –ed adjectives. limited required
  • 7.
  • 8.
    Multi-word adjectives areformed from more than one word. Liz is looking for a full-time job. Your essay has well-developed ideas. Joe is a hard-working man.
  • 9.
    Multi-word adjectives areformed from more than one word. Heart disease is an age-related illness. We had to do group-building exercises.
  • 10.
    Most multi-word adjectivesare spelled with a hyphen. Examples of multi-word adjectives include: adjective + noun adverb + -ed participle adverb + -ing participle noun + -ed participle noun + -ing participle full-time well-developed hard-working age-related group-building
  • 11.
    Notice that wecan also use more than one adjective in a noun phrase. Toy Story is a full-length animated movie. The restaurant serves delicious slow-cooked meals.