Grammar - Beginner - Adjectives

Adjectives
An adjective is a describing word. It tells you more about a noun. An adjective usually appears before the noun it describes. Sometimes, though, the adjective appears after the noun, later in the sentence.

a busy street
a dark corner
a deep sea
a large bed
It is windy.
John’s handwriting is very neat.
The sea is rough.
All the players are very tall.
The baby’s hands are very small.
Sue’s drawing is beautiful.
That problem is too difficult.
Peter is very quiet today.

Adjective Endings
Adjectives have different endings.
Some adjectives end in -ful or -less.
a beautiful dress
a careless driver
a faithful dog
a harmless insect
a useful tool

- An adjective that ends in -less is the opposite of the same adjective that ends in -ful.
For example:
careful – careless useful – useless
colorful – colorless harmful – harmless
The -ful ending means having a lot of something.
For example:
painful = having a lot of pain
hopeful = having a lot of hope

The -less ending means without.
For example:

leafless = without leaves
sleeveless = without sleeves

Some adjectives end in -y.
a dirty street
a noisy room
an oily pot
a sleepy passenger
a sunny day

Some adjectives end in -ive.
an active child
an attractive hat
a creative toy

Some adjectives end in -ing.

a caring nurse
an interesting book
loving parents
matching clothes
a smiling face

Some adjectives end in -ly.
a costly diamond ring
an elderly woman
lively kittens
a lonely boy
a lovely girl
a weekly magazine

- Many adverbs also end in -ly.

Here are some adjectives with the endings -able, -al,
-en, -ible, -ish and -ous.
childish behavior a national costume
a comfortable chair a musical instrument
a dangerous place a terrible mess
a foolish act a woolen sweater
a horrible smell a wooden table
a loveable koala