Adjectives are an essential part of speech that add depth and detail to our language. They allow us to describe nouns and pronouns, providing more information about their characteristics, quantities, or states of being. In this article, we will delve deep into the formation of adjectives, exploring various methods and rules that govern their creation in the English language.
Basic Formation of Adjectives
Adjectives can be formed from different parts of speech, primarily from nouns and verbs. Let’s take a closer look at how this transformation occurs:
Adjectives from Nouns
One of the most common ways to form adjectives is by deriving them from nouns. Here are a few methods to do this:
1. **Adding Suffixes**: Various suffixes can be added to nouns to form adjectives. Some of the most common suffixes include:
– **-ful**: Adding “-ful” to a noun implies that the subject possesses a certain quality in abundance. For example, “joy” becomes “joyful,” and “beauty” becomes “beautiful.”
– **-less**: This suffix denotes the absence of a quality. For example, “hope” becomes “hopeless,” and “care” becomes “careless.”
– **-ous**: Adding “-ous” often signifies that the noun possesses a particular quality. For example, “danger” becomes “dangerous,” and “fame” becomes “famous.”
– **-al**: This suffix often turns nouns into adjectives that mean “pertaining to.” For instance, “nation” becomes “national,” and “accident” becomes “accidental.”
2. **Changing Endings**: Some nouns change their endings to form adjectives. For example:
– “Glory” becomes “glorious.”
– “Trouble” becomes “troublesome.”
3. **Compound Adjectives**: Sometimes, adjectives are formed by combining two nouns. For example:
– “Snow” + “white” becomes “snow-white.”
– “Sun” + “shine” becomes “sunshine.”
Adjectives from Verbs
Verbs can also be transformed into adjectives through the use of suffixes. Here are some common methods:
1. **Adding Suffixes**:
– **-ing**: Adding “-ing” to a verb often forms an adjective that describes an ongoing action or state. For example, “interest” becomes “interesting,” and “excite” becomes “exciting.”
– **-ed**: Adding “-ed” to a verb typically forms an adjective that describes a completed action or state. For example, “bore” becomes “bored,” and “tire” becomes “tired.”
2. **Participial Adjectives**: These are adjectives formed from the present or past participle of verbs. For instance:
– “Bore” forms “boring” (present participle) and “bored” (past participle).
– “Amaze” forms “amazing” (present participle) and “amazed” (past participle).
Degrees of Comparison
Adjectives can express different degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative.
1. **Positive Degree**: This is the basic form of the adjective, used to describe one item without making any comparison. For example, “smart,” “happy,” and “quick.”
2. **Comparative Degree**: This form of the adjective is used to compare two items. It is generally formed by adding “-er” to the end of the adjective or by using the word “more” before the adjective. For example:
– “Smart” becomes “smarter.”
– “Happy” becomes “happier.”
– “Quick” becomes “quicker.”
– For longer adjectives: “Beautiful” becomes “more beautiful.”
3. **Superlative Degree**: This form is used to compare three or more items, indicating that one item has the highest degree of the quality described by the adjective. It is usually formed by adding “-est” to the end of the adjective or by using the word “most” before the adjective. For example:
– “Smart” becomes “smartest.”
– “Happy” becomes “happiest.”
– “Quick” becomes “quickest.”
– For longer adjectives: “Beautiful” becomes “most beautiful.”
Irregular Adjectives
Some adjectives do not follow the regular rules for forming comparatives and superlatives. These are known as irregular adjectives. Here are a few examples:
– “Good” becomes “better” (comparative) and “best” (superlative).
– “Bad” becomes “worse” (comparative) and “worst” (superlative).
– “Far” becomes “farther” (comparative) and “farthest” (superlative) or “further” (comparative) and “furthest” (superlative).
Formation of Compound Adjectives
Compound adjectives are formed when two or more words are combined to create a single adjective. They are often hyphenated to avoid confusion and to clarify meaning. Here are some common forms of compound adjectives:
1. **Noun + Adjective**: For example:
– “Ice-cold” (ice + cold)
– “Snow-white” (snow + white)
2. **Adjective + Noun**: For example:
– “High-speed” (high + speed)
– “Full-time” (full + time)
3. **Adjective + Adjective**: For example:
– “Bitter-sweet” (bitter + sweet)
– “Red-hot” (red + hot)
4. **Adjective + Present Participle**: For example:
– “Good-looking” (good + looking)
– “Long-lasting” (long + lasting)
5. **Adjective + Past Participle**: For example:
– “Well-known” (well + known)
– “Old-fashioned” (old + fashioned)
6. **Noun + Present Participle**: For example:
– “Heart-breaking” (heart + breaking)
– “Time-consuming” (time + consuming)
7. **Noun + Past Participle**: For example:
– “Sun-dried” (sun + dried)
– “Home-made” (home + made)
Order of Adjectives
When multiple adjectives are used to describe a noun, they often follow a specific order. Native speakers usually follow this order instinctively, but it can be helpful for learners to memorize the sequence. The common order is:
1. **Quantity**: “Two,” “several,” “many”
2. **Opinion**: “Lovely,” “horrible,” “interesting”
3. **Size**: “Big,” “small,” “tall”
4. **Age**: “Old,” “new,” “young”
5. **Shape**: “Round,” “square,” “flat”
6. **Color**: “Red,” “blue,” “green”
7. **Origin**: “American,” “French,” “Chinese”
8. **Material**: “Wooden,” “plastic,” “metal”
9. **Purpose**: “Sleeping” (as in “sleeping bag”), “running” (as in “running shoes”)
For example, in the phrase “three lovely little old round French wooden chairs,” each adjective follows the correct order.
Using Adjectives in Sentences
Adjectives can be used in various positions within a sentence. Here are some common placements:
1. **Before a Noun**: This is the most common position for adjectives. For example:
– “She wore a beautiful dress.”
– “He drove a red car.”
2. **After a Linking Verb**: Adjectives can follow linking verbs like “be,” “seem,” “become,” “appear,” etc. For example:
– “The sky is blue.”
– “He seems happy.”
3. **After the Noun in Certain Phrases**: In some cases, adjectives come after the noun in fixed phrases or for stylistic reasons. For example:
– “The president elect.”
– “The city proper.”
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
While using adjectives, learners often encounter certain challenges. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
1. **Incorrect Order of Adjectives**: As mentioned earlier, adjectives should follow a specific order. Practice and awareness can help in mastering this sequence.
2. **Overuse of Adjectives**: Using too many adjectives can make sentences cumbersome. It’s essential to use adjectives judiciously to maintain clarity and elegance in writing.
3. **Confusing Comparatives and Superlatives**: Ensure that you use the correct form of the adjective when making comparisons. For example, don’t say “more happier” but simply “happier.”
4. **Misplaced Adjectives**: Adjectives should be placed as close as possible to the nouns they describe to avoid confusion. For example, instead of saying “She gave a blue to her friend balloon,” say “She gave a blue balloon to her friend.”
Practice and Application
To master the formation and usage of adjectives, consistent practice is crucial. Here are some exercises and tips to help you improve:
1. **Identify Adjectives in Texts**: Read various texts and highlight all the adjectives. Notice how they are formed and used within sentences.
2. **Create Sentences**: Form sentences using new adjectives you learn. Try to incorporate them into your daily conversations and writing.
3. **Comparison Exercises**: Practice forming comparative and superlative adjectives by comparing different items around you.
4. **Adjective Order Drills**: Write sentences using multiple adjectives and ensure they follow the correct order.
5. **Peer Review**: Exchange writing with peers and review each other’s use of adjectives. Provide constructive feedback and learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Conclusion
Adjectives are an indispensable part of the English language, enriching our communication by providing vivid descriptions and precise details. Understanding their formation from nouns and verbs, mastering degrees of comparison, recognizing irregular forms, and practicing their correct order and usage can significantly enhance your language skills. With diligent practice and mindful application, you can become proficient in using adjectives effectively, making your speech and writing more engaging and expressive.
