module 2 - adjectives

8/6/2019 Module 2 - Adjectives

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Revised by J. RosaRevised by J. Rosa

July 2011July 2011


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ObjectivesObjectives

IntroductionIntroduction

What Is An Adjective?What Is An Adjective?

Adjectives & IntensifiersAdjectives & Intensifiers

Attributive AdjectivesAttributive Adjectives

Predicative AdjectivesPredicative Adjectives

Gradable & NonGradable & Non--GradableGradable

AdjectivesAdjectives

Try Your Luck!Try Your Luck!

Practice ExercisesPractice Exercises


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This module is designed to giveThis module is designed to givestudents a refresher course on thestudents a refresher course on the

function and types of adjectives used infunction and types of adjectives used inEnglish. By the end of the module,English. By the end of the module,students should be able to identifystudents should be able to identifyadjectives in a sentence and determineadjectives in a sentence and determine

what type it is.what type it is.


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Just like in Spanish, English has wordsJust like in Spanish, English has wordsthat modify, or describe, nouns. Therethat modify, or describe, nouns. There

are two types and they have a veryare two types and they have a veryimportant function within the language.important function within the language.


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SpanishSpanish--speaking students often tendspeaking students often tendto incorrectly identify nouns becauseto incorrectly identify nouns because

they instead identify the adjectivethey instead identify the adjectivemodifying it. Many times, this occursmodifying it. Many times, this occursbecause adjectives in English can onlybecause adjectives in English can onlycome before the noun and not after it.come before the noun and not after it.


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Adjectives modify, or describe a noun,Adjectives modify, or describe a noun,although nouns can assume this function onalthough nouns can assume this function oncertain occasions (possessives, for example).certain occasions (possessives, for example).

Adjectives themselves can be modified byAdjectives themselves can be modified byincluding a determiner (usually a qualifier orincluding a determiner (usually a qualifier orintensifier). These determiners specify theintensifier). These determiners specify thedegree or quantity of the quality for whichdegree or quantity of the quality for which

the adjective stands. Adjectives canthe adjective stands. Adjectives can onlyonlycome before a noun.come before a noun.


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Adjectives are also modified themselvesAdjectives are also modified themselvesby words calledby words called intensifiersintensifiers, which, which

indicate grade of intensity. Someindicate grade of intensity. Someexamples areexamples are very, slightly, somewhat,very, slightly, somewhat,andand highly.highly.

Intensifiers also modify adverbs theIntensifiers also modify adverbs the

same way.same way.


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EX:EX: TheThe talltall man. Here, the adjectiveman. Here, the adjectivetalltall is modifying the nounis modifying the noun manman byby

indicating what type of man he is.indicating what type of man he is.AndAnd

TheThe very tallvery tall man. Here, the intensifierman. Here, the intensifierveryvery is modifying the adjectiveis modifying the adjective talltall bybyindicating just how tall the man is.indicating just how tall the man is.


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AnAn attribute adjectiveattribute adjective is one that comesis one that comesdirectly before a noun, like indirectly before a noun, like in newnew carcar

oror bestbestfriendfriend. Notice how the adjective. Notice how the adjectiveis right before noun? Its calledis right before noun? Its calledattributive because it describes anattributive because it describes anattribute, or characteristic, of the nounattribute, or characteristic, of the noun

it is modifying. You can only findit is modifying. You can only findattribute adjectives before a noun,attribute adjectives before a noun,never after.never after.


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Look at this sentence.Look at this sentence. The tall man isThe tall man isvery handsomevery handsome..

The wordThe word talltall is functioning as anis functioning as anattributeadjectiveattributeadjective. It modifies the. It modifies thenoun that comes after it.noun that comes after it.


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AA predicate adjectivepredicate adjective is one that isis one that isfound after the main verb of afound after the main verb of asentence. Everything after the verb issentence. Everything after the verb isconsidered to be part of the predicate,considered to be part of the predicate,which is why these adjectives bear thewhich is why these adjectives bear thename.name.


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Look at the following sentence:Look at the following sentence:

The girl in the movie seemed veryThe girl in the movie seemed very happyhappy..

The wordThe word happyhappy refers directly to therefers directly to thegirl (subject), since it is she and not thegirl (subject), since it is she and not the

movie that is happy. It is amovie that is happy. It is a predicatepredicateadjectiveadjective, since it follows the main verb., since it follows the main verb.


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As a whole, adjectives are eitherAs a whole, adjectives are eithergradablegradable oror nonnon--gradablegradable. Certain. Certaintypes of adjectives can be categorizedtypes of adjectives can be categorizedby degree (or grade).by degree (or grade).

Ex: somewhat late, rather late, veryEx: somewhat late, rather late, verylate, and extremely late.late, and extremely late. NonNon--gradablegradable

adjectives do no express degree in anyadjectives do no express degree in anyway.way. Ex: dead, mortal, nuclear.Ex: dead, mortal, nuclear.


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Lets see if you can identify theLets see if you can identify theattribute adjective in the followingattribute adjective in the followingsentence:sentence:

My little brother is quite smart.My little brother is quite smart.

little smart


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Now see if you can find the predicativeNow see if you can find the predicativeadjective in this sentence:adjective in this sentence:

The large dog seemed somewhat angry at me.The large dog seemed somewhat angry at me.

large angry


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Identifytheadjectivesinthesesentences.Identifytheadjectivesinthesesentences.

11. Jack is very smart.. Jack is very smart.

2. My little sister is in school.2. My little sister is in school.

3. I would love some hot coffee.3. I would love some hot coffee. 4. The man is quite happy.4. The man is quite happy.

5. Andrew was sitting under a big tree.5. Andrew was sitting under a big tree.

6. Would your nice friend help me?6. Would your nice friend help me?

7. This burger is yummy!7. This burger is yummy!

8. I hate cold soup.8. I hate cold soup. 9. You can see my house from here!9. You can see my house from here!

10. Cindy showed us a new car.10. Cindy showed us a new car.


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Youve done a great job! See you nextYouve done a great job! See you nextmodule!module!


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module 2 - adjectives

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