An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. An adjective usually precedes the noun or the pronoun
which it modifies.
In the following examples, the highlighted words are adjectives:
- The truck-shaped balloon floated over the treetops.
- Mrs. Morrison papered her kitchen walls with hideous wall paper.
- The small boat foundered on the wine dark sea.
- The coal mines are dark and dank.
- Many stores have already begun to play irritating Christmas music.
- A battered music box sat on the mahogany sideboard.
- The back room was filed with large, yellow rain boots.
An adjective can be modified by an adverb, or by a phrase or clause functioning as an adverb. In the sentence
- My husband knits intricately patterned mittens.
for example, the adverb ``intricately'' modifies the adjective ``patterned.''
Some nouns, many pronouns, and many participle phrases can also act as adjectives. In the sentence
- Eleanor listened to the muffled sounds of the radio hidden under her pillow.
for example, both highlighted adjectives are past participles.
Grammarians also consider articles (``the,'' ``a,'' ``an'') to be adjectives.
A possessive adjective (``my,'' ``your,'' ``his,'' ``her,'' ``its,'' ``our,'' ``their'') is similar or identical to a possessive pronoun; however, it is used as an adjective and modifies a noun or a noun phrase, as in the following sentences:
- I can't complete my assignment because I don't have the textbook.
In this sentence, the possessive adjective ``my'' modifies ``assignment'' and the noun phrase ``my
assignment'' functions as an object. Note that the possessive pronoun form ``mine'' is not used to modify a noun or noun phrase.
- What is your phone number.
Here the possessive adjective ``your'' is used to modify the noun phrase ``phone number''; the entire
noun phrase ``your phone number'' is a subject complement. Note that the possessive pronoun form ``yours'' is not used to modify a noun or a noun phrase.
- The bakery sold his favourite type of bread.
In this example, the possessive adjective ``his'' modifies the noun phrase ``favourite type of bread''
and the entire noun phrase ``his favourite type of bread'' is the direct object of the verb ``sold.''
- After many years, she returned to her homeland.
Here the possessive adjective ``her'' modifies the noun ``homeland'' and the noun phrase ``her homeland''
is the object of the preposition ``to.'' Note also that the form ``hers'' is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases.
- We have lost our way in this wood.
In this sentence, the possessive adjective ``our'' modifies ``way'' and the noun phrase ``our way''
is the direct object of the compound verb ``have lost''. Note that the possessive pronoun form ``ours'' is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases.
- In many fairy tales, children are neglected by their parents.
Here the possessive adjective ``their'' modifies ``parents'' and the noun phrase ``their parents''
is the object of the preposition ``by.'' Note that the possessive pronoun form ``theirs'' is not used to modify nouns or noun
phrases.
- The cat chased its ball down the stairs and into the backyard.
In this sentence, the possessive adjective ``its'' modifies ``ball'' and the noun phrase ``its ball''
is the object of the verb ``chased.'' Note that ``its'' is the possessive adjective and ``it's'' is a contraction for ``it is.''
The demonstrative adjectives ``this,'' ``these,'' ``that,'' ``those,'' and ``what'' are identical to the demonstrative pronouns, but are used as adjectives to modify nouns or noun phrases, as in the following sentences:
- When the librarian tripped over that cord, she dropped a pile of books.
In this sentence, the demonstrative adjective ``that'' modifies the noun ``cord'' and the noun phrase
``that cord'' is the object of the preposition ``over.''
- This apartment needs to be fumigated.
Here ``this'' modifies ``apartment'' and the noun phrase ``this apartment'' is the subject of the sentence.
- Even though my friend preferred those plates, I bought these.
In the subordinate clause, ``those'' modifies ``plates'' and the noun phrase ``those plates'' is the object of the verb ``preferred.''
In the independent clause, ``these'' is the direct object of the verb ``bought.''
Note that the relationship between a demonstrative adjective and a demonstrative pronoun is similar
to the relationship between a possessive adjective and a possessive pronoun, or to that between a interrogative adjective
and an interrogative pronoun.
An interrogative adjective (``which'' or ``what'') is like an interrogative pronoun, except that it modifies a noun or noun phrase
rather than standing on its own (see also demonstrative adjectives and possessive adjectives):
- Which plants should be watered twice a week?
Like other adjectives, ``which'' can be used to modify a noun or a noun phrase. In this example, ``which''
modifies ``plants'' and the noun phrase ``which paints'' is the subject of the compound verb ``should be watered'':
- What book are you reading?
In this sentence, ``what'' modifies ``book'' and the noun phrase ``what book'' is the direct object
of the compound verb ``are reading.''
An indefinite adjective is similar to an indefinite pronoun, except that it modifies a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase, as in the following sentences:
- Many people believe that corporations are under-taxed.
The indefinite adjective ``many'' modifies the noun ``people'' and the noun phrase ``many people''
is the subject of the sentence.
- I will send you any mail that arrives after you have moved to Sudbury.
The indefinite adjective ``any'' modifies the noun ``mail'' and the noun phrase ``any mail'' is the
direct object of the compound verb ``will send.''
- They found a few goldfish floating belly up in the swan pound.
In this example the indefinite adjective modifies the noun ``goldfish'' and the noun phrase is the
direct object of the verb ``found'':
- The title of Kelly's favourite game is ``All dogs go to heaven.''
Here the indefinite pronoun ``all'' modifies ``dogs'' and the full title is a subject complement.