Adjective for Class 10

What are Adjectives?

Adjectives describe the number of nouns: many, few, millions, and eleven. These are words that modify or describe nouns (a person, place, thing, or idea) by providing more information about their characteristics. They add details to make the meaning of nouns more specific and vivid. They tell the reader what kind of something you’re talking about, or how much or how many of something you’re talking about.

Types of Adjectives

There are several types of adjectives that you may encounter. Let’s look into them further:

1. Adjective of Quality

Adjectives of quality, also known as descriptive adjectives, are words that describe or modify the quality or characteristic of a noun. They provide more information about the inherent qualities of the noun they are associated with.

Examples:

→ She wore an intricately embroidered, resplendent dress that captured the attention of everyone in the room.
→ He is an exceptionally astute and academically gifted student, consistently outshining his peers in complex problem-solving and critical analysis.
→ The firefighter displayed extraordinary courage and valour as he navigated through the blazing inferno to rescue those trapped inside the building.
→ The cake is an exquisite blend of rich flavours, with each bite offering a tantalising combination of sweetness, creaminess, and a hint of aromatic spices.
→ She is an exceptionally intelligent and innovative scientist, whose groundbreaking research has revolutionised our understanding of the complex interplay of molecular structures.
→ The mountain is a truly majestic natural wonder that leaves observers in silent admiration.
→ The beach, with its untouched golden sands, crystal-clear azure waters, and a complete absence of human footprint, remains a pristine haven of unspoiled beauty.

2. Proper Adjective

A proper adjective is an adjective derived from a proper noun, and it is typically capitalised. Proper adjectives are used to modify or describe nouns and, unlike common adjectives, are specific to a particular proper noun.

Examples:

→ The principles of American democracy emphasise the importance of individual rights and civic participation.
→ The complexity of the human condition is a recurring theme in Shakespearean tragedies like “Hamlet” and “Macbeth”.
→ The exquisite melodies and precise structures of a Mozartian symphony showcase the genius of the composer.
→The ornate details and grandeur of Victorian architecture are evident in many historic buildings in London.
→ The revolutionary concepts of space-time in Einsteinian theory reshaped our understanding of the universe.
→ The flourishing of poetry and drama during the Elizabethan era produced timeless works by writers like William Shakespeare.

3. Adjective of Number 

Adjectives of numbers are used to indicate the quantity or order of nouns in a sentence. They provide more specific information about the number or order of the nouns they modify.

Examples:

→ She has collected two hundred rare coins from around the world.
→ The manager had a meeting with every employee to discuss the new project.
→ The recipe calls for adding sugar in a ratio of three times the amount of flour.
→ The car can travel at a speed of twice the average vehicle on the highway.
→ The chef recommended using one-fourth cup of olive oil for the salad dressing.
→ The company achieved a growth rate of twenty per cent last quarter.

4. Demonstrative Adjective

Demonstrative adjectives are words that modify a noun by pointing to a specific thing. In English, the demonstrative adjectives are "this," "that," "these," and "those." They help indicate the proximity or distance of the noun they modify.

Examples:

→ This intricate painting on the wall was created by a renowned artist in the 19th century.
→ Those sophisticated experiments conducted by the scientists yielded groundbreaking results in quantum mechanics.
→ These comprehensive reports provide a detailed analysis of the economic trends over the past decade.
→ That challenging assignment requires not only creativity but also a deep understanding of advanced mathematical concepts.
→ These innovative technologies have revolutionised the way we communicate and access information in the modern era.

5. Distributive Adjective

Distributive adjectives, also known as distributive determiners, are words that refer to each individual member of a group or distribute the quality or quantity they describe to each element of the group.

Examples:

→ Each diligent student, eager to excel, received a personalised book with insightful annotations.
→ Every architecturally unique house on the quaint street has a distinctive, vibrant red door.
→ You can choose either the intellectually stimulating option that challenges your mind or the creatively inspiring option that fuels your imagination.
→ Neither of the two meticulously crafted explanations provided by the scholars is entirely correct.
→ You are welcome to borrow any captivating book from my extensive collection of classic literature and modern masterpieces.
→ Both lifelong friends, bound by their shared love for cinema, thoroughly enjoyed the thought-provoking movie together.
→ I'll gladly accept exactly half of the mouth-watering, freshly baked cookies cooling on the kitchen counter.

6. Interrogative Adjective

Interrogative adjectives are words that modify nouns by asking questions about them. These adjectives are commonly used to gain more information about a particular noun. The primary interrogative adjectives are "which," "what," and "whose”.

Examples:

→ The detective asked, "Which suspect was seen near the crime scene last night?"
→ In the art gallery, she couldn't decide which painting she liked the most.
→ What strategy should the government adopt to address the environmental challenges we face?
→ The scientist pondered, "What impact will this new discovery have on the field of genetics?"
→ The teacher asked, "Whose project demonstrates the most innovative use of technology?"
→ In the lost and found, students wondered whose backpack had been left behind after the school event.

7. Adjective of Quantity

The adjective of quantity is used to describe the approximate or exact amount of a noun. It gives information about the quantity or number of the noun it modifies.

Examples:

→ Many students in the auditorium are preparing for the competitive exam.
→ There are few opportunities available for those who don't pursue higher education.
→ The library has several books on diverse subjects for students to explore.
→ The scientist conducted numerous experiments to validate the hypothesis.
→ There is plenty of evidence supporting the theory of climate change.
→ The city offers a multitude of cultural events throughout the year.
→ The teacher permitted only a handful of students to experiment.
→ The internet provides a myriad of resources for self-directed learning.

8. Possessive Adjective

Possessive adjectives are used to indicate ownership or possession. They modify a noun to show to whom or to what the noun belongs. In English, the possessive adjectives are "my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," and "their."

Examples:

→ The students forgot to submit their permission slips for the field trip.
→ My intricate research project on quantum mechanics won the prestigious award.
→ Have you submitted your comprehensive analysis of the economic trends?
→ His groundbreaking theory in astrophysics revolutionised our understanding of black holes.
→ Her innovative approach to sustainable architecture earned her international recognition.
→ The artificial intelligence system demonstrated its ability to adapt to complex tasks.
→ Our collaborative efforts resulted in the development of a sophisticated machine-learning algorithm.
→ The team showcased its exceptional problem-solving skills during the challenging competition.

Order of Adjectives

In many languages, adjectives denoting attributes usually occur in a specific order. Generally, the adjective order in English is:

Let's understand it through an example using these principles:

Sentence: I bought a new small beautiful French sports car.

Quantity/Number: "a" (indefinite article)
Quality/Opinion: "beautiful" (describing the general aesthetic)
Size: "small" (indicating the size of the car)
Age: "new" (highlighting that the car is not used)
Proper Adjective: "French" (indicating the origin of the car)
Purpose/Qualifier: "sports" (describing the type or purpose of the car)
Noun: "car" (the main object being described)

Examples:

→ She bought three exquisite small antique silver French decorative spoons.
→ The adventurous young Brazilian scientist discovered a peculiar ancient golden Mayan artefact.
→ We hiked up the steep winding narrow cobblestone streets of the charming medieval Italian coastal village.
→ The professor assigned a thought-provoking challenging final project to his diligent top-performing graduate students.
→ In the vibrant bustling crowded Japanese marketplace, we found a unique delicate hand-painted ceramic teapot.
→ The team of skilled international architects designed an innovative sustainable futuristic glass skyscraper.
→ The eccentric wealthy elderly British collector acquired a rare valuable large medieval wooden religious artifact.
→ She wore an elegant long flowing crimson silk evening gown to the glamorous prestigious Hollywood awards ceremony.
→ The scientist conducted a groundbreaking complex series of experiments using state-of-the-art cutting-edge technology.
→ Our guide led us through a fascinating ancient mysterious dark underground labyrinthine network of hidden catacombs.