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ADJECTIVE |
Divisions of Grammar Definitions - Etymology.
An adjective is a word which qualifies a noun, that is, shows or
points out some distinguishing mark or feature of the noun; as, A
black dog.
Adjectives have three forms called degrees of comparison, the positive,
the comparative and the superlative.
The positive is the simple form of the adjective without expressing
increase or diminution of the original quality: nice.
The comparative is that form of the adjective which expresses increase
or diminution of the quality: nicer.
The superlative is that form which expresses the greatest increase or
diminution of the quality: nicest.
or
An adjective is in the positive form when it does not express comparison;
as, "A rich man."
An adjective is in the comparative form when it expresses comparison
between two or between one and a number taken collectively, as, "John is
richer than James"; "he is richer than all the men in Boston."
An adjective is in the superlative form when it expresses a comparison
between one and a number of individuals taken separately; as, "John is
the richest man in Boston."
Adjectives expressive of properties or circumstances which cannot be
increased have only the positive form; as, A circular road; the chief
end; an extreme measure.
Adjectives are compared in two ways, either by adding er to the positive
to form the comparative and est to the positive to form the superlative,
or by prefixing more to the positive for the comparative and most to
the positive for the superlative; as, handsome, handsomer, handsomest
or handsome, more handsome, most handsome.
Adjectives of two or more syllables are generally compared by prefixing
more and most.
Many adjectives are irregular in comparison; as, Bad, worse, worst; Good,
better, best.
Next: PRONOUN
Previous: ARTICLE
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