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Adjectives

Adjectives describe nouns: a tall tree, a red car, a funny joke.

๐Ÿ’ก Fun fact

Adjectives usually come before the noun in English.

All about Adjectives

An adjective is a describing word that gives more information about a noun. In a tall tree, the word tall is an adjective, and it tells us what the tree is like. Adjectives can describe size, colour, shape, feelings and more.

Adjectives often come before the noun, but they can also come after a linking verb, as in The sky is blue. Using a variety of adjectives makes your writing more vivid and interesting.

They tell us more about a person, place or thing, such as a tall tree, a red car or a happy child.

Instead of saying the dog was nice, you could say the dog was gentle and playful. Choosing precise adjectives helps readers picture the scene.

๐ŸŽฎ Try it yourself!

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๐Ÿ‘€ What the animation shows

This animation shows a plain object gaining new qualities such as colour, size and shape as adjectives are added. Watch how each adjective changes the picture.

Real-life uses of Adjectives

  • Describing people and places in a story
  • Writing reviews of books or films
  • Making adverts and posters more appealing

Frequently asked questions about Adjectives

What are comparative and superlative adjectives?

Comparative adjectives compare two things, like taller. Superlative adjectives compare three or more, like tallest.

Can you use two adjectives together?

Yes. For example, a tall, old tree. Separate them with a comma if they are equally important.

What is an adjective phrase?

A group of words that describes a noun, such as "covered in bright blue paint".