Grammar Guide: Adjectives

Adjectives are used to modify nouns and pronouns. Generally, adjectives answer the questions which one, what kind, or how many. 

-Which class is your favorite?
-My grammar class is my favorite.

-What kind of pizza do you like?
-I like cheese pizza.

-How many pieces of paper do you need?
-I need five pieces of paper.

In addition to these common adjectives that describe, identify, and quantify, there are other types of adjectives.

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives take the place of possessive nouns in a sentence.

my, your, his, her, its, our, your (plural), their

Andrea lives in Chicago. Her brother lives in New York.

Teacher to students: Turn your papers in at the beginning of class.

Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are similar to demonstrative pronouns: They point to a particular noun to out rule other possibilities.

this, that, these, those

-Which jacket is yours?

-This jacket is mine.

Indefinite Adjectives

Indefinite adjectives are similar to indefinite pronouns; however, they modify nouns or pronouns.

all, every, any

Every child will receive a gift.

I will eat any cookies you make.

Interrogative Adjectives

Interrogative adjectives are similar to interrogative pronouns, but they modify a noun or pronoun.

whose, which, what

Whose hat is this?

Which apples should we use in the pie?

Learn more about adjectives and other grammar principles at Nomen Global.