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adjectives

1. Adjective position
Adjectives usually go before nouns:
I bought a white T-shirt.
Adjectives go after some verbs (be, seem, become, look, appear, sound, taste, feel):
They are comfortable and they look good with the skirt.
A few adjectives (asleep, alone, awake) cannot go before a noun:
The cat was asleep in the bed.

Adjectives in English have only one form, which is used with singular and plural, masculine
and feminine nouns:
a clever boy clever boys, a clever girl clever girls

2. Adjective order
When there are more or two adjectives they go in this order:
OPINION, SIZE, AGE, SHAPE, COLOUR, ORIGIN, MATERIALS
A lovely short black wool skirt
A beautiful grey leather bag
My favourite long black boots
Some old blue jeans
A French glass fruit bowl
We put and
between two colour adjectives: a black and white belt
between two adjectives after a verb: Clothes shops are always crowded and boring.

3. Adjectives ending in ed and ing
Some adjectives have two forms ed and ing.These adjectives have different meanings:
-ing adjectives describe people and things -ed adjectives describe feelings
Clothes shops are boring. I am bored.
That is surprising news. We are surprised.
Computer shops are interesting. You are not interested in clothes.

4. Nouns used as adjectives
When we put two nouns together, the first one works like an adjective:
a birthday party, a clothes shop, a computer game, a language school, a student card

5. Comparisons
We use comparative adjectives to compare two things or people.
Bill is richer than John.
We use superlative adjectives to compare three or more things or people.
Bill is the tallest in his class.

a. One-syllable adjectives form the comparative by adding er and the superlative by adding
est:
adjective comparative superlative
cheap cheaper the cheapest
fast faster the fastest
shy shyer the shyest
young younger the youngest
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One-syllable adjectives ending in ed cannot take er, -est. We use more/most:
more bored/the most bored
more worried/the most worried
One-syllable adjectives and two-syllable adjectives ending in e form the comparative and
superlative by adding r, -st.
adjective comparative superlative
nice nicer the nicest
gentle gentler the gentlest
polite politer the politest
close closer the closest

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -e also form the comparative and superlative using more
and most: more gentle, more polite.

One-syllable adjectives ending in a short vowel and a consonant form the comparative and
superlative by doubling the consonant and then adding er and est.
adjective comparative superlative
big bigger the biggest
fat fatter the fattest
dim dimmer the dimmest


One-syllable adjectives ending with a long vowel before the consonant do not double the consonant.
adjective comparative superlative
great greater the greatest
late later the latest
cheap cheaper the cheapest

b. Two-syllables adjectives can for the comparative and superlative with either er and est
or more and most.
Two-syllables adjectives ending in y form the comparative and superlative by changing the y in I
and adding er and est.
adjective comparative superlative
angry angrier the angriest
busy busier the busiest
happy happier the happiest
The comparative of dry can take two forms:
dry dryer driest
dry drier driest (more usual)
Most of two-syllable adjectives and adjectives with more than two syllables form the comparative
and superlative with more and most:
adjective comparative superlative
careless more careless the most careless
expensive more expensive the most expensive
intelligent more intelligent the most intelligent





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c. Irregular adjectives

adjective comparative superlative
good better the best
bad less the least
much more the most
many more the most
old older/elder the oldest/the eldest
far farther the farthest

We use Farther/Farthest Further/Furthest to talk about distances:
Australia is the farthest/furthest Ive ever been.
Our new house is farther/further from the school than the previous one.
Further can also mean more or extra. We cannot use farther in these expressions:
Stop playing inside before you do any further damage.(=additional damage)
For further information, please write to the above address.(=more information)
We use elder/eldest for members of our family:
I get on well with my elder sister.
We do not use than with elder.
He is elder than me.
He is older than me.

6. Compound adjectives
A compound adjectives usually has two parts. We usually write it with a hyphen: red-haired, green-
eyed .
Adjective+present participle: tight-fitting, good-looking.
Adjective/adverb+ past participle: old-fashioned, well-built, badly-maintained, far-fetched.
Adjective/adverb+ preposition: broken-down., well-off.
Noun+ adjective: brand-new, duty-free.
Noun+past participle: snow-covered , air-conditioned, heart-broken; moon-lit.
Adverb+adjective: downright; evergreen; wide-open.
Numeral+noun(singular): first-class, ten-year (old boy).
Noun + noun: sound-proof.
Verb + adverb: runaway, go-ahead.

Use: We use compound adjectives to describe
Physical appearance: broad-shouldered, dark-haired, good-looking.
Personality: good-tempered, open-minded.
Places: built-up, run-down, wide-open.
Everyday objects: worn-out, hand-made, man-made.

7. Other Comparisons

Less than. The least of
We can show negative comparisons using less (than) and the least (of)
The film was less successful than his previous one.
It was the least successful of all his films.
Far, much, a lot
To add emphasis to a comparison we can use far, much or a lot with the comparative:
Bill is much richer than Tom. Bill is a lot richer than Tom. Bill is far richer than Tom.

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The (more). the (more)
This structure shows that two comparisons change at the same time:
The older I get, the wiser I become.
The older I get, the more forgetful I become.
The less interesting the subject, the more bored the students become.
As as
We use as as to say that two things are similar or equal. The pattern is:
As+ adjective+ as
As+ adverb+ as
Mary is as tall as Jane but she is not as tall as Andrew.
As + many/much/little/few+ as
We use as + many/much/little/few+ as
Billy doesnt have as much money as Anne
If she had as little money as he did she would think differently.
Bill doesnt eat as many meals as she does.
If she had as few meals as Bill she would be thinner.
The same (as) (Exactly) the same (as)
So as
In negative statements we can use so as.. instead of as as.
We cannot use soas in positive sentences and in questions.
She worked as hard as she could finish early.
She worked so hard as she could finish early.
Could you try and get here as quickly as you can please?
Could you try and get here so quickly as you can please?
Like and as
We use like and as to say that things are similar. We use like to make a comparison and as to
describe a position or function.
He runs like the wind.
My brother is just like me.
Like the Greeks, Italians use a lot of olive oil.
She works as a doctor.
As your teacher, I advise you to work harder.
Dont use your shirt as a towel.
More and more
We use more and more to say that something is changing.
She was getting more and more irritated.
So and such
It is so hot in here.(so + adjective)
I wish you would not talk so much. (so + adverb)
so+ many/much/little/few +(that)
such a/an (that)
too, very, enough
Too means more than is reasonable or bearable.
I was too tired so I did not do any work.
Very means a lot.
I was very happy when I received your letter.
Quite, rather, fairly, a little
a bit + adjective slightly She is a bit short for the team
a little + adjective slightly She is a little short for the team.
fairly + adjective/+ing quite She is fairly tall.
a fairly+ adjective/+ing quite It is a fairly good road.
quite a + adjective + noun to some extent She is quite a clever person.
quite + adjective/+ ing not very but more than slightly She is quite clever.
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quite + verb to some extent I quite like coffee.
quite a + noun a big (used for emphasis) It was quite a surprise.
rather + adjective to some extent but not so
much as very
She is rather clever.
rather a + adjective/noun
phrase
a fairly big It came as rather a (big) surprise.
rather + verb quite a lot (formal) I rather like her.
very + adjective/adverb a lot (used for emphasis) I am very sorry.

There are some adjectives that form the Relative Superlative with the help of the suffix -most
the furthermost = cel mai ndeprtat
the hindermost = cel mai din urm ,
the in(ner)most= cel mai luntric
the out(ter)most = cel mai periferic
the nethermost = cel mai de jos
the uppermost = cel mai de sus





































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Appendix I
The commonest prefixes used to form adjectives in English are:
a-: alive; asleep
ab-: abnormal; absolute
ante-: antediluvian; antenatal
bi-: biaxial; bifocal
circum-: circumfluent; circumpolar
col-: collateral; collinear
com-: compact; compound
con-: concave; congenial
contra-: contradistinct; contrarotating
cor-: correlative; cordate
dis-: disadvantageous; discourteous
ef-: effluent; effuse
ex-: exanimate; exchangeable
extra-: extraordinary; extra-terestrial
hyper-: hypercritical; hypersensitive
il-: illegal; illegible
im-: immaterial; immature
in-: incapable; inhuman
inter-: interactive; interdependent
ir-: irrespective; irregular
mis-: misleading; mistrustful
non-: nondurable; nonparallel
per-: permissive; permutable
pre-: precautious; preclinical
retro-: retroactive; retrograde
sub-: subordinate; suburban
super-: supernatural; supersonic
sur-: surmountable; surpassing
trans-: translucid; transparent
ultra-: ultraconfident; ultramodern
un-: unfair; unattractive

The most frequent suffixes employed in building up adjectives are the following:
-able: agreeable; remarkable
-ible: sensible; permissible
-al: autumnal; global
-an: Mexican; republican
-ant: hesitant; dominant
-ed: distinguished; learned
-en: golden; earthen
-ern: eastern; western
-ful: careful; useful
-ial: adverbial; celestial
-ic: historic; magnetic
-ical: economical; geographical
-ish: childish; foolish
-ing: amazing; lasting
-ive: active; attractive
-ly: elderly; friendly
-ous: courageous; dangerous
-some: handsome; quarrelsome
-ward: backward; inward
-y: dusty; muddy


Of the suffixes mentioned above, -ed and -ing deserve special attention since they are often misused
by the learners of English. In fact, they are Past! Participles and Present Participles, respectively,
the former having a passive meaning "affected in this way", while the latter has an active meaning
"having this effect". Some pairs of such adjectives are the following:
amazed - amazing
alarmed - alarming
astonished - astonishing
annoyed - annoying
charmed - charming
confused - confusing
deafened - deafening
disturbed - disturbing
depressed - depressing
embarrassed - embarrassing
entertained - entertaining
excited - exciting
disappointed - disappointing
fascinated - fascinating
frightened - frightening
horrified - horrifying
insulted - insulting
interested - interesting
pleased - pleasing
relaxed - relaxing
satisfied - satisfying
shocked - shocking
surprised - surprising
terrified - terrifying
tired - tiring
worried worrying




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As the adjectives formed from nouns, with the help of suffixes, are quite numerous, a list of the
most frequent ones is worth mentioning:
accident - accidental
advantage - advantageous
affection - affectionate
ancestor - ancestral
angel - angelic
anger - angry
athlete - athletic
autumn - autumnal
beauty - beautiful
beauteous (archaic)
bible - biblical
boy - boyish
capacity - capacious
caution - cautious
centre - central
charity - charitable
child - childish
choir - choral
circle - circular
colony - colonial
comfort - comfortable
continent - continental
courage - courageous
coward - cowardly
craft - crafty
credit - creditable
crime - criminal
custom - customary
danger - dangerous
deceit - deceitful
disaster - disastrous
economy - economical
effect - effective
expense - expensive
expression - expressive
fable - fabulous
faith - faithful/faithless
fame - famous .
fashion - fashionable
fault - faulty
favour - favourable
fire - fiery
fool - foolish
foolhardy
fortune - fortunate
fraud - fraudulent
friend - friendly/friendless
fur - furry
fury - furious
giant - gigantic
girl - girlish
gold - golden
grace - graceful
grief - grievous
haste -hasty
hero - heroic
humour - humorous
hygiene - hygienic
industry -
industrial/industrious
influence - influential
injury - injurious
labour - laborious
luxury - luxurious
man - manly
marvel - marvellous
melody - melodious
metal - metallic
mercy - merciful
method - methodical
miracle - miraculous
mischief - mischievous
misery - miserable
mountain - mountainous
muscle - muscular
music - musical
mystery - mysterious
nation - national
nature - natural
noise - noisy/noiseless
nonsense - nonsensical
occasion - occasional
ocean - oceanic
ornament - ornamental
peril - perilous
person - personal
picture - picturesque
pirate - piratical
poet - poetic/poetical
poison - poisonous
rebellion - rebellious
region - regional
response -
responsive/responsible
school - scholastic
sense - sensible/senseless
service - serviceable
shower - showery
skill - skilful
star - starry
sun - sunny
suspicion - suspicious
sympathy - sympathetic
tempest - tempestuous
terror - terrible
terror - stricken
triangle - triangular
tribe - tribal
value - valuable
victory - victorious
vigour - vigorous
volcano - volcanic
water - watery
winter - wintry
wool - woolen
wretch - wretched












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Appendix II
A great number of idioms are comparatives of equality:
as bitter as gall
as black as coal/soot/pitch
as blind as a bat
as bold as brass
as bright as a button
as brittle as glass
as brown as a berry
as brave as a lion
as busy as a bee/an ant
as calm as a millpond/a cat
as clean as a new pin
as clear as crystal/broad daylight
as cold as ice
as cool as a cucumber
as common as the highway
as cross as two sticks
as dead as a door-nail
as deaf as a post
as drunk as a lord
as dry as a bone
as dull as ditch-water
as easy as ABC
as fair as a rose
as fast as a deer/a hare
as fat as a pig
as feeble as a child
as fierce as a lion
as fit as a fiddle
as fresh as a daisy
as gentle as a lamb
as good as gold
as graceful as a swan
as green as grass
as hairy as a gorilla
as happy as a lark
as hard as stone/iron
as heavy as lead/an elephant
as hungry as a wolf
as industrious as beaver
as like as two herring/peas
as loyal as an apostle
as mad as a hatter/a March hare
as meet as a sow for a saddle
as obstinate as a mule
as old as the hill
as pale as a ghost/death
as playful as a kitten/a puppy
as plump as a partridge
as poor as a peacock
as quiet as a mouse
as quick as lightening
as red as a (boiled) lobster/a
turkey-cock
as regular as the clock
as right as rain
as sharp as a thorn/a needle
as silent as the grave
as silly as a sheep
as slow as a snail/a tortoise
as smooth as grass
as sober as a judge
as soft as silk
as sound as a bell
as stiff as a poker
as straight as an arrow
as strong as a horse/an ox
as sure as fate
as sweet as honey
as swift as an arrow/a hare/a hawk
as thick as thieves.
as tenacious as a bulldog
as thin as a rake
as timid as a rabbit
as true as steel
as ugly as sin
as warm as toast/ wool
as weak as a lamb
as white as snow/ a sheet
as wise as an owl/ Solomon