Examples of construction of polysyllabic adjectives in English. Comparative degree of adjectives

We use adjectives to describe someone or something. For example: he is tall, the tea is hot, the blanket is warm, she is smart.

It is thanks to adjectives that we make our speech lively, rich, and emotional.

In this article I will tell you what adjectives are in English and how to use them.

3 types of adjectives in English

Adjectives are a word that is used to describe a characteristic of an object/person. Such words answer the questions: “which?”, “which?”, “which?”, “which?”.

For example: small, kind, beautiful, smart, cold, tasty.

What are the adjectives in English?

There are 3 types of adjectives:

1. Simple adjectives

Such adjectives consist of one main part. Let's look at a list of the most common simple English adjectives.

open - open
closed - closed
noisy - noisy
loud - loud
quiet - quiet
light - light
dark - dark
easy - light
difficult - difficult
new - new
old - old
light - light
heavy - heavy
fast - fast
slow - slow
full - full
empty - empty
long - long
short - short
high - high
low - low
good - good
bad - bad
hot - hot, hot
cold - cold
soft - soft
hard - hard
big - big
little - small
clean - clean
dirty - dirty
expensive - expensive
cheap - cheap
large - large, large
small - small
happy - happy
sad - sad

2. Derivative adjectives

Derivative means formed from something, with the help of something. Such adjectives consist not only of the main part, but are also joined by:

• Suffix (adding at the end of a word)

For example, we have the word hero(hero), we add the suffix -ic and we get the adjective hero ic(heroic).

Let's look at the main suffixes that are used to form derived adjectives:

Able
-ible
-al
-ent
-ary
-ful
-ic
-ive
-less
-ous
-y

Here are examples of such adjectives:

care ful- attentive
intellig ent- smart
classic al- classic
сheer ful- joyful
dail y- daily
notice able- noticeable
use less- useless
element ary- elementary
respons ible- responsible
ambiti ous- ambitious
beauty ful- Beautiful

• Prefix (adding at the beginning of a word).

For example, we have the word happy(happy), we can add a prefix to this word un- and we get an adjective un happy (unhappy).

Here are the main prefixes that are used for this:

un-
in-
il-
im-
ir-
dis-

Let's look at examples of such adjectives:

un usial - unusual
il legal - illegal
im possible - impossible
ir rational - irrational
dis comfort - uncomfortable
in complete - incomplete
un kind - unkind

3. Compound adjectives

Such adjectives are formed from two words.

Here are some examples of compound adjectives:

snow-white - snow-white
ed-hot - red-hot
red-cheeked - red-cheeked
untidy-looking - sloppy
dark-blue - dark blue
middle-aged - middle-aged

Now let's see how English adjectives are used.

Attention: Can't remember English words? Find out in Moscow how to learn words correctly so as not to forget them.

Using adjectives in English

As I already wrote, we use adjectives to describe. That is, when we say that someone/something has certain qualities.

Therefore, most often adjectives are placed before a person or thing.

For example:

He saw a beautiful girl.
He saw a beautiful girl.

She bought an expensive dress.
She bought an expensive dress.

Please note that we always put an article before connecting an adjective and a noun (person/thing).

Could you give me a new pen?
Can you give me a new pen?

If there is no noun after the adjective, then we do not put the article in front of it.

For example:

This car is big.
This car is big.

He is untidy-looking.
He's sloppy.

So, we looked at what adjectives are and what you should pay attention to when using them. Now let's practice using them.

By the way, in continuation of the topic, I advise you to study the article on how to compare something or someone using adjectives.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

1. My friend is smart.
2. Take a light box.
3. He put on a dark blue sweater.
4. His advice is useless.
5. He gave me an unusual gift.

An adjective is an independent part of speech that denotes a characteristic of an object. This part of speech answers the question: “what?”, translated as “which one?”

For example: purple - purple, red, obedient - obedient, boring - boring, English - English.

Adjectives in English will not change by gender, number or case. The changes concern only degrees of comparisons of adjectives, which we will consider in the next topic.

There are simple and derived adjectives. Simple ones are used without any suffixes or prefixes.

For example: long - long, blue - blue, small - small. Derived adjectives in English are made up of suffixes or prefixes or both parts of the word.

For example: unknown - unknown, irrational - irrational.

Adjective suffixes in English

The most common adjective suffixes are:

-ful: beautiful – wonderful, awful – terrible

-less: pointless - useless, heartless - heartless

-ous: enormous – grandiose, gigantic, courageous – courageous, brave

-al: fundamental - basic, radical, normal - ordinary, normal

-able, -ible: capable - capable, credible - trustworthy.

Adjective prefixes in English

The most popular adjective prefixes are:

un-: unbelievable - incredible, unforbidden - not forbidden

in-: innocent - innocent, immaculate, incredible - improbable, incredible

There are also compound adjectives. They include two words, but when translated they mean one meaning.

For example:

Dark-green - dark green, dark-haired - dark-haired, snow-iced - snow-ice.

An adjective has two functions in a sentence: a determiner and a nominal part of a compound predicate.

The little boy is on the skating-rink - A little boy at the skating rink.

Here the function of the adjective is definition.

The boy is little - The boy is small.

Here the function of the adjective is the nominal part of the compound predicate.

Converting adjectives to nouns in English

Adjectives in English can act as nouns. They have a plural meaning and denote a group of persons or all persons who share one or another characteristic. They are used with the definite article and without the ending “s”.

For example:

Many television channels use sign language for thedeaf. Many TV channels use sign language interpretation for the deaf

They build special clinics for the wounded. They are building special clinics for the wounded.

An adjective combined with one of the following nouns is used to designate one or more persons:

people; woman, women; man, men; person, persons

For example:

A deaf man - blind, rich people - rich, three poor persons - three poor people.

Adjectives that indicate nationality can become nouns that indicate a group of people of that nationality. If the endings of adjectives are “ian”, “an”, for example, Ukrainian – Ukrainian, American – American, then when turning into nouns, they can be used in both the plural and singular. In the plural they use the ending "s".

For example:

Ukrainian - Ukrainian

Ukrainians - Ukrainians

a Norwegian - Norwegian

Norwegians - Norwegians

an American - American

Americans - Americans

Plural nouns can denote not only a group of people of a certain nationality, but also the entire nation as a whole. In this case, you need to use the definite article.

For example:

The Americans - Americans

The Bulgarians - Bulgarians

If the ending of the adjective is “se”, “ss”, for example Japanese - Japanese, Swiss - Swiss, then when turning into nouns, the words can be used in both the plural and singular. There will be no ending "s" in the plural. If we are talking about the nation as a whole, then they must be preceded by a definite article.

For example:

A Japanese - Japanese, three Japanese - three Japanese

A Swiss - Swiss, ten Swiss - ten Swiss

If the adjective ends in “ch”, “sh”, for example, Dutch - Dutch, English - English, then when turning into nouns, they are used in the plural, when they convey the nation as a whole. In this case, the definite article is used.

For example:

The Scotch - Scots

The Spanish

The Dutch are the Dutch.

If it is not about the entire nation, then compound nouns come to the rescue:

Man, men; woman, women

For example:

a Scotchman - Scotsman, Scotchmen - Scots

a Dutchwoman - Dutch, four Dutchwomen - four Dutch women

An exception would be: a Spaniard - a Spaniard or a Spanish woman, five Spaniards - five Spaniards or a Spanish woman.

English sentences with adjectives

In the function of definition, the adjective is placed before the noun, but if it performs the function of the nominal part of a compound predicate, then it is used after the linking verb.

We sold a big house – We sold a big house

The house is big – The house is big.

If a noun is described not by one, but by a large number of adjectives, then those that are more closely related to it are indicated closer to it.

For example:

He is a handsome rich man - He is a handsome rich man.

We bought an expensive modern seeding-machine - We bought an expensive modern seeder.

Some adjectives ending with the suffixes -ible, -able can be used not only before the noun, but also after it.

For example:

The seeds were treated on the first favorable day. Or The seeds were treated on the first day favourable.

The seeds were processed on the first favorable day.

The adjective enough is also used before and after a noun.

For example:

She has enough money. She has enough money.

She has enough money

Order of adjectives in English sentences. Table

There are rules for the order of use of adjectives in English. The sequence of words is as follows:

1. opinion translated into English - opinion

2. size in translation - size

3. quality translated into English - quality

4. age translated into English - age

5. shape translated into English - shape

6. color translated into English - color

7. origin translated into English - origin

8. material translated into English - material

9. purpose translated into English – purpose

Usually, more than three adjectives that refer to one noun are not used. If there is a need to use more than three nouns, then it is easier to break the sentence into subordinate clauses.

Look at the table

If the same characteristic is described by several definitions, then they are combined with the conjunction “and”.

For example:

Strong and healthy body – strong and healthy body

The conjunction “and” is also used between color names.

For example, red and black – red and black.

If two definitions characterize different features, then such conjunctions as “though”, “yet”, “but” are used.

For example:

He is a foolish but strong boy - He is a bit stupid, but a strong guy.

We ordered a tasty, though unhealthy dish - We ordered a tasty, although not healthy dish.

comparative is needed mainly to compare some things with others. After all, you must agree that it would be difficult to explain without comparing any objects. Every day in our dialect such comparative adjectives as “beautiful, better, warmer, colder, cooler, etc.” are scrolled through, we just may not notice it. Therefore, the entire topic below is important for digestibility and is presented with accessible simplicity.

How to turn a positive adjective into a comparative adjective?

First, let's figure out what is the positive degree of an adjective? It's simple. The positive degree of an adjective is the original form of an adjective that indicates the quality of an object and is used without any comparison with other objects. Eg:

• It's beautiful day – Beautiful day.
• My teacher is very young - My teacher is too young.
• They're very friendly people – They are very friendly people.
• It's an expensive restaurant - This is an expensive restaurant.
• The rooms are very small – The rooms are very small.

Another question may arise here. What is the comparative degree of an adjective? And here everything is even simpler. A comparative adjective is a form of an adjective that indicates the quality of one thing in relation to another thing. For example:

• Vegetables are cheaper than meat – Vegetables are cheaper than meat.
• This bag of potatoes is heavier than that bag of tomatoes – This bag of potatoes is heavier than that bag of tomatoes.
• Spain is warmer than England – Spain is warmer than England.
• This new car is faster than my old one – This new car is faster than my old one.
• Sarah is older than her brother – Sarah is older than her brother.

Feel the difference? Now we will return to the main question: how to convert an adjective from a positive degree to a comparative degree?

When converting, the standard for all adjectives is to add the suffix “-er” to the end of the word. For example:

In English, when making comparisons, the conjunction “than” is often used:

• The coast road to the town is shorter than the mountain road – The road along the embankment to the city is shorter than the road through the mountains.
• My father is younger than my mother - My father is younger than my mother.
• His new mobile is smaller than his old one - His new mobile phone is smaller than his old one.
• The Empire State building is taller than the Statue of Liberty - The Empire State Building is taller than the Statue of Liberty.
• Wool is warmer than cotton – Wool is warmer than cotton.

However, there are always a number of the following conversion rules that must be followed:

1. For two-syllable adjectives ending with a consonant and “-y”: change “-y” to “-i” + suffix “-er”:

Examples:

• English is easier than Japanese – English is easier than Japanese.
• My suitcase is heavier than your suitcase - My suitcase is heavier than your suitcase.
• Your car is dirtier than mine - Your car is dirtier than mine.
• His new girlfriend is prettier than your Julia - His new girlfriend is prettier than your Julia.
• Last time she was happier than today - Last time she was happier than today.

2. If a one-syllable adjective ends in a vowel and a consonant: add the last consonant + the suffix “-er”:

Examples:

• The Grand Hotel is bigger than is the Sea View Hotel – “The Grand Hotel” is bigger than “The Sea View Hotel”.
• My cup of tea is hotter than yours - My cup of tea is hotter than yours.
• Mike is fatter than John - Mike is fatter than John.
• The screw-driver is thinner than mine – This screwdriver is thinner than mine.

3. To adjectives ending in “-e”, add only one suffix “-r”:

For example:

• My arguments are truer than yours - My arguments are truer than yours.
• Her shirt is whiter than her girlfriends’ – Her shirt is whiter than her friend’s.
• Wheels of your car is larger than wheels of mine – The wheels of your car are larger than the wheels of mine.

4. Before two-syllable adjectives that do not end in “-y” and before adjectives that consist of 3 or more syllables, when converting to the comparative degree, add the service word “more” without adding a suffix:

For example:

• The train is more expensive than the bus - The train is more expensive than the bus.
• Drivers in this country are more careless than drivers in my country – Drivers in this country are more careless than drivers in my country.
• The exam today was more difficult than last year’s exam - Today’s exam was more difficult than last year’s exam.
• The students ask more intelligent questions than they did before - Students ask more intelligent questions than they asked before.
• Her second book is more interesting than her first - Her second book is more interesting than her first.

5. We also cannot do without exceptions, which, when transformed, take on a completely different form than in all of the above points:

For example:

• Ms. Davies is a better teacher than Mr. Andrews – Mrs. Davis is a better teacher than Mr. Andrews.
• These boots are worse than those that we received last year - These boots are worse than those that we were given last year.
• I’ve less money than you have - I have less money than you.
• From here to Moscow is farther than to St. Petersburg – From here it is further to Moscow than to St. Petersburg.

To strengthen the expression, we can insert adverbs such as a bit (a little), a lot (much), much (significantly) before comparative adjectives:

• She’s a lot happier now - She’s much happier now.
• I’m a bit older than you - I’m a little older than you.
• This book is much more interesting than the other one - This book is much more interesting than the others.

This concludes this post. Perhaps you would like to ask or add something to this article. If so, please leave your comment below. Good luck.

Adjective [" xGIktIv] a

An adjective is a part of speech that denotes a characteristic of an object, person or phenomenon. It answers the question what? - Which? which? which? regarding the qualities or properties of the object referred to.

Adjectives in English do not change in number, gender or case, and do not have short forms. Adjectives subject to change only by degrees of comparison. According to their meaning they are divided into:

A) Quality adjectives. They denote characteristics of an object that may be inherent in it to a greater or lesser extent, therefore such adjectives may have forms of degrees of comparison. For example, objects may differ qualitatively: in size - largebig, larg er bigger, more, larg est greatest; by weight - heavyheavy and so on.;

b) Relative adjectives. There are significantly fewer of them than quality ones. They convey characteristics of an object that cannot be present in the object to a greater or lesser extent. Therefore they have no degrees of comparison and cannot be combined with adverbs of degree: veryVery etc.. For example: denoting the material from which the item is made - woodenwood, scene - ruralrural, rustic and so on.

Adjectives are simple, derived and compound (complex). Used in functions in a sentence definitions And nominal part of a compound predicate.

A number of adjectives do not differ in form from adverbs. To distinguish them from adverbs, you need to remember that adjectives define nouns, and adverbs - verb, adjective or other adverb, e.g.: adverbs - well Fine; late late; little few; adjectives: - well good (about health); late late; little small.

There are adjectives ending in –ed And –ing. You need to be aware of this so as not to confuse them with past tense forms, participles, gerunds, etc. You should be guided by their place and role in the sentence. Adjectives with endings –ed usually describe the state of the person himself, and adjectives with –ing- the impression that an object (phenomenon) makes on him: interesting, scary and so on. For example:

An adjective always refers to a noun (or, less commonly, a pronoun). According to its role in the sentence, it can be:

1) definition and then it's worth it before noun;

2) part of a compound nominal predicate and then it stands after defined noun:

1) He wears black shoes. He wears black shoes. ; 2) His shoes are black. His shoes black. That's all, actually. Below we will look at some more examples illustrating this:

1-a Adjectives in the defining function are usually placed before noun. And if there is article or another determinant noun (possessive, demonstrative pronouns, etc.), then between it and the noun:

Before An adjective can have an adverb of degree that enhances its meaning, for example veryVery, tootoo much etc. And the defined noun itself can be omitted and only implied in meaning:

If a noun is defined by several adjectives, then adjectives reflecting the actual state of things are located closer than adjectives expressing a subjective opinion, for example: a nice sunny day- what he sunnysolar is an obvious fact, but the fact that he niceglorious, then this is for whom, how. More examples:

Typically, adjectives characterizing a noun are arranged in the following order:

1 - b After of the word being defined, they are placed in the following cases:

a) If the adjective is a modifier of an indefinite pronoun:

b) If the adjectives themselves have dependent words and in various comparative constructions (see below):

c) If the definition is expressed by adjectives absentmissing, presentpresent and some others:

2 Adjective in function nominal part of a compound predicate(predicative) is placed after the linking verb. A compound nominal predicate consists of a linking verb and a nominal part (predicative). Most often used as a linking verb. verb to be (am, is, are, was...).

A number of other verbs are also used in this capacity: to seem, to look – seem, look, to become, to turn, to get – become, do and etc.

Adjectives illsick And wellgood (about health), as well as adjectives starting with "a", such as alivealive, afraidfrightened, asleepsleeping, awakewoken up and others are used only as a predicative and do not have forms of degrees of comparison:

Good day everyone! Imagine that you need to meet someone for the first time. How do you recognize each other in a crowd of strangers? Of course, you will agree to meet in a certain place at an agreed time, and also describe what you will be wearing and what color you will be wearing. Thus, it turns out that in this case you cannot do without adjectives. Therefore, we will again devote our audio lesson to English adjectives Phrases with adjectives in English

In the last lesson we studied English Collocations with adjectives, and today we will learn several sentences with English adjectives so that you remember the order of the adjective in a sentence. And as you remember, adjectives in a phrase occupy a certain fixed place - before the noun or after the linking verb: He wears black shoes - He wears black shoes. The pencil is red - The pencil is red.

By tradition, we’ll start by listening online to an audio recording of a lesson that examines English adjectives in the context of sentences and provides a translation into Russian. The lesson is voiced by a professional speaker, so using this audio lesson as an example, you can practice your own pronunciation. So, let's get started: /wp-content/uploads/2015/09/RUEN079.mp3

If you have difficulties with perception or pronunciation, then switch to the table or rest for 10-15 minutes, and start listening to the audio lesson for beginners online again, repeating all the phrases out loud.

Phrases with adjectives in English

A table with English adjectives in the context of expressions will help you learn how to compose other sentences in English with adjectives to describe persons, phenomena and objects.

Try to describe yourself or your neighbors, or at worst your favorite handbag or car, using the adjectives you have learned in English.

Good luck in composing phrases in English! See you later!