

What is an Adjective in English Grammar? Definition, Usage & Lists
Adjectives are essential in English grammar, helping us describe people, places, things, and ideas with more detail. In this guide, you’ll learn the clear adjectives definition and rules, see adjectives with examples and sentences, and explore practical worksheets and tips. Whether you need adjectives for kids or advanced notes, this page makes describing words simple and interesting.
Adjectives Definition and Rules
Adjectives are words that modify nouns or pronouns by describing their qualities, quantity, or characteristics. They answer questions like “What kind?”, “How many?”, and “Which one?”. For example, in the phrase “red apple”, “red” is the adjective describing the apple. Understanding adjectives definition and rules allows students to enrich their writing and communication skills.
Here are some basic rules for using adjectives:
Most adjectives come before the noun they describe (e.g., “creative story”).
Some adjectives come after linking verbs as predicate adjectives (“The sky is blue.”).
Coordinate adjectives (adjectives of equal importance) are separated by a comma (“a bright, sunny day”).
Parts of Speech for Kids
Types of Adjectives with Examples
There are several types of adjectives in English, each serving a unique purpose in a sentence. Learning about all types helps in constructing richer sentences and enables quick identification of adjectives in practice questions with answers. Below is an overview with examples for better clarity.
Adjectives Chart and Table
Type of Adjective | Description | Adjectives Examples Sentences |
---|---|---|
Descriptive | Describes quality or kind | She wore a beautiful dress. |
Quantitative | Describes amount or quantity | He drank little water. |
Demonstrative | Points out specific nouns | This book is mine. |
Interrogative | Used in questions | Which course will you take? |
Possessive | Shows ownership | Her bag is new. |
Numeral | States number or order | Ten students passed the test. |
Teachers often use such adjectives tables in worksheets, especially for class 6 and for younger children. See more Adjectives Words List for vocabulary practice.
Adjectives with Examples and Sentences
Using strong adjectives in sentences can make your writing stand out. Here are 10 examples of adjectives commonly used to describe a person, objects, or experiences. Notice the way each adjective brings life to the noun it modifies.
She is a brilliant student. (Describes a person)
The room looks spacious.
We saw a happy child at the park.
He gave a quick reply.
That is a rusty bicycle.
Our teacher is kind and helpful.
The garden has twelve rose bushes.
This is a tall mountain.
She wore a yellow dress.
My oldest friend is visiting.
Adjectives to Describe a Person
Adjectives for Flower
Degrees of Adjectives: Positive, Comparative, Superlative
Adjectives come in three forms or degrees: positive, comparative, and superlative. These help compare nouns and express their qualities with intensity. Understanding this is essential for all students aiming to master English grammar basics.
Degrees Rules and Examples
Positive degree simply states a quality (“small”). Comparative degree compares two things (“smaller”). Superlative degree shows the highest degree among three or more (“smallest”). For most adjectives, add ‘-er/-est’ or use ‘more/most’ as appropriate. Mastering this is vital for worksheets and MCQs on adjectives.
Example:
Positive: She is smart.
Comparative: She is smarter than me.
Superlative: She is the smartest in class.
Positive Degree of Comparison
Comparative Degree Rules
Superlative Degree Examples
Order, Usage, and Common Mistakes
Adjective order in English follows a specific sequence: opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose. For example: “a lovely small old round red Indian wooden table.” Misordering can sound strange even if the grammar is correct. Avoid using adverbs instead of adjectives after linking verbs—say “She feels happy,” not “She feels happily.”
For more practice, try Adjectives Exercises for Class 6 and Error Correction Exercises on Vedantu. Worksheets and MCQs with answers will help solidify your understanding.
Adjectives Worksheet with Answers and Practice Questions
Using adjectives worksheet with answers is an excellent way to test your understanding. You’ll encounter different types, proper word order, and MCQs to challenge your skills. Below are sample practice questions:
Choose the correct adjective: (The ____ sky looks beautiful.)
Options: blue, quickly, soundly
Answer: blueIdentify the adjective: (He found an interesting book.)
Answer: interestingFill in: (She is the ____ dancer in the class.)
Options: good, best, better
Answer: bestPick the proper degree: (This road is ____ than that one.)
Options: long, longer, longest
Answer: longer
Worksheets for Kids
Adjectives for Kids: Fun Learning
Teaching adjectives for kids can be made fun through games, colours, and objects around them. Simple describing words like “soft”, “hard”, “happy,” or colour names encourage children to observe and express. For younger learners, refer to Vedantu Kids Topics for resourceful activities.
Explore “adjectives that start with a” (amazing, active), “adjectives that start with m” (magical, mild), or any favourite letter. Children can practice with real or imaginary sentences: “The tall kangaroo jumps high.” For more, Names of Things for Kids connects objects with describing words.
Difference Between Adjectives and Adverbs: Usage Notes
Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. For example: “She is happy” (adjective) vs. “She smiles happily” (adverb). Remember, certain verbs (like “feel”) need adjectives, not adverbs: “I feel bad” (correct), not “I feel badly.”
For in-depth grammar rules, see Adjectives and Adverbs Differences and the Formation of Adverbs guide.
Adjectives Common Mistakes and Tips
Common errors with adjectives include wrong placement, unnecessary repetition, and mixing up degrees. Use vivid adjectives when precise, but avoid overusing them. Instead of “a big house”, try “a mansion.” Practice enhances accuracy. Vedantu’s Adjectives Practice Questions with Answers highlight these areas effectively.
With ongoing practice using quizzes and worksheets, both children and adults can prevent common mistakes and learn to write precise descriptions.
Summary
Adjectives enrich language by offering clear ways to describe, compare, and identify nouns. Mastering adjectives definition and rules, using them correctly in sentences, and practising with worksheets ensures confident communication. With Vedantu’s engaging resources, anyone can steadily improve their grammar skills and make their writing more descriptive and engaging.
FAQs on Adjectives in English: Meaning, Types, and Examples
1. What is an adjective in English grammar?
An adjective is a word that describes or modifies nouns, giving extra details about people, places, or things. Key points about adjectives in grammar:
- They answer questions like: What kind? How many? Which one? Whose?
- Example: In "The tall building is beautiful," tall and beautiful are adjectives.
- Adjectives help make sentences clearer and more interesting.
2. Can you give 10 examples of adjectives?
Here are 10 examples of adjectives used to describe nouns:
- Happy
- Large
- Red
- Soft
- Brave
- Kind
- Fast
- Young
- Tall
- Beautiful
Adjective words like these help describe qualities, appearance, and emotions.
3. What are the main types of adjectives?
There are several main types of adjectives commonly taught in English grammar:
- Descriptive adjectives (quality): clever, soft, beautiful
- Quantitative adjectives (quantity/number): many, few, several
- Demonstrative adjectives: this, that, these, those
- Possessive adjectives: my, your, their
- Interrogative adjectives: which, what, whose
- Distributive adjectives: each, every, either
Understanding types of adjectives helps in exams and better sentence writing.
4. What are 50 adjectives?
Here is a list of 50 common adjectives often used in English writing and exams:
- Big, little, angry, calm, careful, clean, dirty, easy, funny, gentle
- Happy, honest, lazy, lively, loud, nervous, polite, proud, quick, quiet
- Rude, safe, scared, sharp, shy, silly, simple, smart, strange, sweet
- Thin, tired, fair, fierce, foolish, fresh, friendly, greedy, heavy, helpful
- Icy, lucky, modern, neat, noisy, old, pale, rapid, sad, tough, wise
These adjective words describe appearance, feelings, behavior, and more.
5. What is an adjective with example?
An adjective is a word used to describe nouns. For example:
- Adjective: Soft
- Sentence: The pillow is soft.
Here, soft describes the noun pillow.
6. How do you use adjectives in sentences?
Adjectives usually come before the noun they describe or after a linking verb. Examples:
- She has a red dress. (red describes the noun "dress")
- The sky is blue. (blue comes after a verb and describes "sky")
This structure helps make your sentences detailed and vivid.
7. What are adjectives to describe a person?
Some popular adjectives to describe a person include:
- Cheerful
- Honest
- Helpful
- Creative
- Wise
- Loyal
- Brave
- Patient
- Polite
- Curious
Using these adjectives adds detail and personality in your writing.
8. What is the difference between adjectives and adverbs?
Adjectives describe nouns or pronouns, while adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Key differences:
- Adjective: The car is fast.
- Adverb: He runs quickly.
Remember, use adjectives for nouns and adverbs for actions or qualities.
9. What are adjectives that start with A?
Here are some common adjectives starting with A:
- Active
- Amazing
- Ancient
- Alert
- Awful
These describing words help make your writing more specific and interesting.
10. What is the order of adjectives when using more than one before a noun?
When using several adjectives before a noun, the usual adjective order is:
- Quantity
- Quality or opinion
- Size
- Age
- Shape
- Color
- Proper adjective (origin, material)
- Purpose
Example: She wore two beautiful long red silk dresses.
11. Are there irregular adjectives in English?
Yes, some adjectives in English are irregular, especially in their comparative and superlative forms. Examples include:
- Good – better – best
- Bad – worse – worst
- Far – farther/further – farthest/furthest
Unlike regular adjectives, these do not follow the usual -er/-est pattern.
12. What are descriptive adjectives?
Descriptive adjectives express qualities or features of nouns and answer What kind? or Which type? For example:
- Smart
- Beautiful
- Strong
These adjectives give detailed information about nouns in sentences.

















