What is an Adjective?
An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. It tells us more about the person, place, thing, or idea the noun represents.
How to Identify Adjectives
1. Look for Words Describing Nouns/Pronouns: Ask yourself, "What kind?" "Which one?" "How many?" The answers often point to adjectives.
* Example: "The tall building" ("Tall" describes the building.)
2. Consider Positions: Adjectives usually appear:
* Before a noun: "The blue car"
* After a linking verb: "The car is blue."
3. Pay Attention to Modifying Phrases: Adjectives can be part of phrases that modify nouns:
* "The car with the shiny paint job"
Identifying the Modified Word
1. Follow the Adjective: Adjectives typically directly precede or follow the noun or pronoun they describe.
2. Consider the Sentence Structure: The sentence's structure helps you understand the connections.
* Example: "The old house on the corner is for sale." ("Old" describes "house" and "corner" describes "house").
Examples
* The *colorful* flowers bloomed in the *sunny* garden.
* "Colorful" modifies "flowers"
* "Sunny" modifies "garden"
* She wore a *beautiful* dress to the *elegant* party.
* "Beautiful" modifies "dress"
* "Elegant" modifies "party"
Let's Practice!
Can you tell me what the adjectives are and which words they modify in the following sentence:
* "The *fluffy* white kitten played with a *red* ball."