Adjectives

Adjectives have two functions:
They modify nouns and pronouns,and they may also be used to complete linking,or copulative,verbs:

Ex.
A happy person faces each new day optimistically.(The adjective happy modifies the noun person)

The last one to finish the race will receive a consolation prize.(The adjective last modifies the pronoun one)

Ruth is content after she finishes a good meal and a full bottle of milk.(The adjective content completes the linking verb is. Such an adjective is called a predicate adjective)

Types of Adjectives
There a three principal types of adjectives: descriptive, limiting, and proper.

Descriptive adjectives name a quality or condition of the element modified: an unhappy marriage, a blue dress, a capable attorney,a broken axle.

Limiting adjectives identify or enumerate the element modified: our table, present company, most people, his fiancee, eight days, second stanza.

Proper adjectives are descriptive adjectives that derive from proper name: Shinto customs, California wine, Chinese checkers, North American rivers.

Comparison of Adjectives
Adjectives have three comparative forms - absolute, comparative, and superlative-to indicate greater or lesser degrees of the quality described.

Absolute.................Comparative.............Superlative
fat............................fatter.........................fattest
fine...........................finer..........................finest
beautiful....................more beautiful............most beautiful
intelligent...................more intelligent..........most intelligent

The comparative form of most adjectives can be achieved in two ways: by adding er to the absolute form or by adding the adverb more.

The superlative form or most adjectives can be achieved in two ways: by adding est to the absolute form or by adding the verb most.

Some adjectives change forms radically to express comparison: good,better,best; bad, worse,worst

Use the comparative form when discussing two items or individuals,the superlative when discussing three or more:

Ex.
Of the two brothers,Fred is the more personable.
Of all his novels, the first was by far the most successful.
Hazel is better swimmer than her brother.
She is the best writer I know.

Use the comparative form when comparing a single item or individuals with a class of items or individuals.

Ex.
Anne was a better student than any of the men in her class.

Our town library has a poorer selection of fiction than any of the libraries in your town.

Adjective Phrases
An adjective phrase is a phrase used to modify a noun or pronoun. Adjective phrases are formed by combining a preposition with a noun or pronoun plus the modifiers pf the noun or pronoun.

Ex.
The sofa in the dressing room needs repairs.(The adjective phrase in the dressing room modifies the noun sofa. The preposition in has room as its object. The noun room is modified by the dressing.)

Anyone in the room can be elected.(The adjective phrase in the room modifies the pronoun Anyone.)

To ensure clarity, place adjective phrases close to the word or words the the phrases modify. In most constructions,this means placing the adjective phrases immediately after the element modified.

Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause is a clause used to modify a noun or pronoun. like all clauses, adjective clauses consist of subject, verb, modifiers, and object when appropriate.

Ex.
Every alteration that is made between tonight and opening night may create problems for the actors.(The adjective clause that is made between tonight and opening night modifies the noun alteration.)

Anyone who refuses early retirement may live to regret the decision.(The adjective clause who refuses early retirement modifies the pronoun Anyone.)