Quality
sharp, silent, green, and ancient tell the reader what something is like.
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Types and forms
Adjectives do several kinds of work. Some describe qualities. Some count. Some compare. Some sit before nouns, while others follow linking verbs.
Amount
Three, many, few, and several mark number or amount.
Category
medical, digital, and wooden often place the noun inside a class or material category.
Comparative and superlative forms
Comparative adjectives compare two things: larger, more precise, less useful. Superlative adjectives identify the extreme case in a group: largest, most precise, least useful.
Short adjectives often take -er and -est. Longer adjectives often use more and most. English also has irregular forms, including good / better / best and bad / worse / worst.
Attributive and predicative positions
An attributive adjective appears before the noun: the quiet room. A predicative adjective appears after a linking verb: the room is quiet. The adjective still describes the noun, but the sentence rhythm changes.
Before the noun: a complex idea
After a linking verb: the idea became complex
Form table
| Base | Comparative | Superlative | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| bright | brighter | brightest | Short adjective. |
| careful | more careful | most careful | Longer adjective. |
| good | better | best | Irregular form. |
| bad | worse | worst | Irregular form. |
Sources
Explains how comparative and superlative forms are used for change and comparison.
Gives grammar guidance on comparative and superlative adjective forms.
Provides examples and a plain description of adjective functions and placement.