Adjectives

Adjectives describe nouns.

Basic types

Attributive adjectives come before nouns:

• a silly idea
• eight red cars

Predicate adjectives are in the predicate and linked to the subject by a linking verb:

• Her patience is thin.
• My dog is deaf.

Comparatives

Adjectives that have an -er form are called comparatives:

• taller
• faster
• lighter
• smaller

If the adjective does not have an -er form, you can make it a comparative by preceding it with more:

• more interesting
• more professional
• more beautiful

Superlatives

Adjectives that have an -est form are called superlatives:

• tallest
• fastest
• lightest
• smallest

If the adjective does not have an -est form, you can make it a comparative by preceding it with most:

• most interesting
• most professional
• most beautiful

Nominal adjectives

Adjectives that are used as nouns because they so clearly and directly represent the people or things that they describe:

• the poor
• the elderly