Catholic University of Mozambique

Distance Learning of Center

Grammar Aspects: Adjectives in English.

Timóteo Casimiro Filipe: 708237934

Course: Degree in Portuguese

Language Teaching

Subject: English Language

Level: 1st Year

The Tutor: dr. Lúcio Mucaisse

Quelimane, September of 2023

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Índice
1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 5

1.1. Objective.......................................................................................................................... 5

1.1.1. General Objective: ....................................................................................................... 5

1.1.2. Specific Objectives: ..................................................................................................... 5

2. Grammar Aspects: Adjectives in English ........................................................................... 6

2.1. Formation of Adjectives: ................................................................................................. 6

2.2. Transformation of nouns to adjective .............................................................................. 7

2.4. Degrees of Comparison ................................................................................................... 9

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 11

References ................................................................................................................................ 12
 5

1. Introduction

An adjective is a word that describes a noun or noun phrase. Its semantic role is to
change information given by the noun. Traditionally, adjectives were considered one of the
main parts of speech of the English language, although historically they were classed together
with nouns.

I this assignment we will discuss about adjectives, particularly the following aspects:
Formation and use; Degrees of Comparison; Classes Transformation of nouns to adjective, we
will give practical examples and other relevant aspects.

1.1. Objective

1.1.1. General Objective:

 Analyze Adjectives

1.1.2. Specific Objectives:

 Define Adjectives;
 Describe a Formation of Adjectives;
 Explain Classes of Adjectives.

1.2. Methodology

This research work is descriptive and explanatory. This is a descriptive, explanatory

and bibliographical research, as it seeks to understand aspects related to adjectives, formation,
their classification and related aspects through already published material, such as books,
scientific articles and web pages.

All research of a scientific nature requires a bibliography to be consulted, for better

development, simply because it is a method developed with support from already defined or
prepared material, these being mainly books and/or scientific articles and web pages.

According LAKATOS & MARCONI (2003), “bibliographical research can be

defined as cultural or scientific contributions made in the past on a certain subject, theme or
problem that can be studied”.
 6

2. Grammar Aspects: Adjectives in English

More recent research on adjectives as a word class, however, has defended the idea that
an adjective class can be identified in all languages. The detailed studies of adjectives in
Baker (2003) and Dixon (2004) have both given detailed evidence for a lexical category
distinct from nouns and verbs in languages that had been analysed as lacking an adjective
class. The criteria invoked by Baker and Dixon to set apart a class of adjectives include the
following:

 Adjectives allow direct modification of nouns.

 Adjectives differ from other predicates in the comparative construction.
 Adjectives do not have their own gender, they agree in gender with the modified noun
 Adjectives can appear without a preposition in resultative predications.

According to Strang (1969) Adjectives are the describing words used for a noun and add
to the meaning of a noun (or pronoun). In other words, words used with a noun to describe it
(kind, place, number, etc) are called adjectives. The word ‘adjective’ means ‘added to’.
Adjectives are one of the main parts of speech of the English language.

2.1. Formation of Adjectives:

We can use suffixes to change nouns and verbs into adjectives, or to change the
meaning of an adjective.

Some suffixes have a general meaning whilst others simply transform words into
adjectives. The suffix -less usually means without something the suffix -ful usually means to
have something. (Marchand, 1969). Example: (with hope) hopeful ← hope → hopeless
(without hope?)

Not all words can be made into adjectives pairs like this. It’s best to check your
dictionary. Examples: Homeless is correct - homefull does not make sense / Beautiful is
correct - beautyless does not make sense.
 7

2.2.Transformation of nouns to adjective

According Adams (1976) Transforming nouns into adjectives is a common linguistic process
that allows us to use nouns to describe other nouns, adding specificity and detail to our
language. This transformation can be achieved in several ways:

 Adding suffixes to nouns: One of the most common ways to turn a noun into an
adjective is by adding a suffix to it. Here are some common suffixes for this purpose:
ly: This suffix is often added to nouns to form adjectives that describe the quality or
manner of the noun. For example: Noun: beauty, Adjective: beautiful

 Using compound nouns: Another way to transform nouns into adjectives is by

combining them with other nouns to create compound nouns that act as adjectives;

 Using hyphens: In some cases, hyphens are used to connect two nouns and turn them
into an adjective. This is common when the combination of nouns is not a well
established compound noun.

Adjectives word order:

 8

There are many more suffixes that we can use to create adjectives. The table below
shows some general rules and exceptions in adjective formation using verbs and nouns:

2.3. Kinds of Adjectives

Conform Francis (1967) Adjectives are of five kinds:

 Descriptive or Quality Adjectives- These words show the kind of quality of a person

or thing. For example: clever girl, big house, kind man, red apples.

 Possessive adjectives - These are words which show or hint at a sense of belonging.

For example: my pen, our country, your name, his book, her dog, their house.

 Demonstrative adjectives- These are the words which ‘point out’ at something or

someone (like demonstrative pronouns). For example: this book, these pens that man,

those trees.
 9

 Interrogative adjectives- These are words which ask about the noun. For example:

Which umbrella is yours? Whose pencil is this?, What book are you reading?

 Adjectives of quantity these are words which describe quantity. It includes all the

numerals. For example: four chairs, all men, every boy, both houses, many flowers,

enough money

2.4. Degrees of Comparison

According Sinclair (1987) Adjectives change in form when they show comparison.

 Positive Degree: An adjective is said to be in the positive degree when there is no

comparison.
 Comparative Degree: An adjective is said to be in the comparative degree when it is
used to compare two nouns/pronouns.
 Superlative Degree: An adjective is in superlative degree when it is used to compare
more than two nouns/pronouns. We use the article 'the' before the superlative degrees.

Formation of comparative & superlative degrees of adjectives usually form their comparative
and superlative degrees:

By addition of “er” and “est” to the positive degree

 10

By addition of “r” and “st” to the positive degree ending in “e”

When the positive degree ends in a consonant with a vowel before it, we double the
consonante and then add “er” and “est”.

´
 11

Conclusion
To conclude, adjectives are the describing words used for a noun and add to the meaning of a
noun (or pronoun). In other words, words used with a noun to describe it (kind, place, number, etc.)
are called adjectives. The word ‘adjective’ means ‘added to’. Adjectives are one of the main parts of
speech of the English language.

We can use suffixes to change nouns and verbs into adjectives, or to change the
meaning of an adjective. Some suffixes have a general meaning whilst others simply
transform words into adjectives. The suffix -less usually means without something the suffix -
ful usually means to have something, but not all words can be made into adjectives pairs like
this. It’s best to check your dictionary.

Transforming nouns into adjectives is a common linguistic process that allows us to use nouns
to describe other nouns, adding specificity and detail to our language. This transformation can be
achieved in several ways: Adding suffixes to nouns, using compound nouns and using hyphens.

Adjectives are of five kinds: descriptive or quality adjectives, possessive adjectives,

demonstrative adjectives, interrogative adjectives and adjectives of quantity.

Formation of comparative & superlative degrees of adjectives usually form their comparative
and superlative degrees: By addition of “er” and “est” to the positive degree; By addition of “r” an ;
“st” to the positive degree ending in “e”; When the positive degree ends in a consonant with a vowel
before it, we double the consonant and then add “er” and “est”.
 12

References

Adams, V. (1976). An Introduction to Modern English Word-Formation. London: Longman.

Baker, M. (2003). Lexical Categories. Verbs, nouns and adjectives. Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press

Dixon, R.M.W. 1982. Where have all the adjectives gone? and other essays on semantics and syntax.
Berlin: Mouton.

Francis, W.N. (1967). The English Language. London: The English Universities Press.

Lakatos, Eva Maria & Marconi, Marina de Andrade. Fundamentos de metodologia científica. 5. ed.
São Paulo: Atlas, 2003.

Marchand, H. (1969). The Categories and Types of Present-Day English Word-Formation. Munich,
Germany: Beck.

Sinclair, J. (ed.).(1987). Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary. London: Collins.

Strang, B.M.H. (1969). Modern English Structure. London: Edward Arnold.