The document explains what adjectives are and their various types, including descriptive, comparative, superlative, and predicate adjectives. It provides examples and guidelines on how to form comparative and superlative adjectives, such as adding '-er' or '-est' for one-syllable adjectives and using 'more' or 'most' for longer adjectives. Additionally, it describes the role of predicate adjectives in sentences, illustrating their use after linking verbs.

1. Adjectives
September 2009

2. What is an adjective?
• An adjective describes a noun or pronoun.
Examples:
• The tall man walked down the street.
• The young students performed a play.
adjective
adjective

3. Types of Adjectives
• Descriptive Adjectives
• Comparative Adjectives
• Superlative Adjectives
• Predicate Adjectives

4. Descriptive Adjectives
• Descriptive adjectives add detail or
describe a noun or pronoun.
Examples:
My hat is on the top shelf.
The white snow falls slowly to the ground.

5. Comparative Adjectives
• Comparative adjectives compare two
nouns.
Examples:
Bill is taller than Joe.
Jelly beans are sweeter than gummy bears.
Noun #1 Noun #2

6. Forming Comparative
Adjectives
“Than” is usually used after comparative adjectives
-er is added to the end of a 1-syllable
adjective
cold = colder
tall = taller
-er is added to the end of an adjective
with 2 syllables, if the word ends in -y.
early = earlier
happy = happier
"more" or “less” is used for words that
have 2 or more syllables, except words
that end in –y.
honest = more honest
expensive = more
expensive
adjectives that end in -e, only -r is
added to end of the adjective
nice = nicer
safe = safer
adjectives that end in a consonant,
vowel, consonant - the last consonant
is doubled
big = bigger
hot = hotter

7. Superlative Adjectives
• Superlative adjectives are used when
comparing three or more nouns.
Examples:
Between all of my classes, 5th
period is
loudest.
These shoes are the most comfortable.

8. Forming Superlative Adjectives
-est is added to the end of a 1-syllable
adjective
cold = coldest
If the word ends in –y, change the y to an –i
and add -est to the end of an adjective with
2 syllables.
early = earliest
happy = happiest
"most" and "least" are used for adjectives
that contain 2 or more syllables
expensive = most
expensive
difficult = least
difficult
If an adjectives ends in -e, then only –st is
added to end of the adjective
nice = nicest
safe = safest
Adjectives that end in a consonant, vowel,
consonant - the last consonant is doubled
and -est is added to the end of the adjective.
big = biggest
hot = hottest

9. Predicate Adjectives
• Predicate adjectives come after a linking
verb and are used to describe the subject
Example:
Mr. Smith is a lonely man.
Linking verb
Predicate adjective