Adjectives In English Grammar

I. Words

Words can be grouped together into word classes (also called parts of speech). In English grammar, there are four major word classes: nouns, adjectives, adverbs and verbs. The minor word classes are: prepositions, articles, conjunctions, numerals, pronouns, qualifiers, and interjections.

i.i Nouns (N)

Words such as nutshell, happiness are common nouns. Nouns often have a complex morphological structure. Examples of compound and derived nouns are humankind, discovery, and diversity. Nouns commonly refer to concrete entities in the external world such as cradle, pearl, but they may also denote qualities and states, for example; originality, uniqueness, kingdom, and country. Nouns can occur as the head of noun phrases: the sunny side of life and, the country that travels within you.

i.ii Adjectives (Adj)

Words such as new, pure, sensational, and true are adjectives. Adjectives are often complex. Examples of derived adjectives are beautiful, incredible, magical, and natural. Many adjectives are derived from ed-participles and ing-participles such as unlimited and amazing. Adjectives can occur as the head in adjectival phrases as in so much more and stunningly different. Adjectives are typically used as premodifiers in noun phrases, for example, endless discovery and timeless charm.

i.iii Adverbs (Adv)

Adverbs are typically formed from adjectives by means of the ending –ly such as definitely, truly and slowly. Adverbs can be used as modifiers to express degree in