Types of Adjectives in English Grammar

Here are the different Types of Adjectives that ESL students must know.

Table of Contents

Types of Adjectives in English

Descriptive Adjectives

Generally, a descriptive adjective is probably what you think of when you hear the word “adjective.” Descriptive adjectives describe nouns and pronouns.

Descriptive adjectives can be attributive adjectives and predicate adjectives.

Limiting Adjectives

Limiting adjectives do as their name suggests, they limit the noun being described. Generally, there are nine types of limiting adjectives.

Definite and Indefinite Articles

The indefinite article a and an is used when we don’t specify the things or people we are talking about.
Examples:

I met a friend.
She works in a bank in London.

The definite article the is used before a noun, it specifies a particular noun as opposed to any one.
Examples:

The cat shut its eyes while it steals cream.
The president will remain in office until the official handover in April.

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives show possession. They describe to whom a thing belongs.
Examples:

What is your phone number?
The bookstore sold his favorite book.
The cat is sitting on its tail.
Where’s my passport?

Demonstrative Adjectives

A demonstrative adjective describes “which” noun or pronoun you’re referring to.
Examples:

This train conveys passengers to London.
That cake has an unusual flavor.
I can’t wade in these boots.
Those animals migrate annually in search of food.

Proper Adjectives

An adjective that is formed from a proper noun is called proper adjective.
Examples:

He is an Australian citizen.
I like Japanese food.

Ordinal Adjectives

An ordinal adjective indicates the position of a noun in a series.
Examples:

The second year
The sixth chapter

Indefinite Adjectives

An adjective which is not definite is known as the indefinite adjective.
Examples:

Many people feel that the law should be changed.
All children should be taught to swim.

Interrogative Adjectives

Interrogative Adjectives are used with nouns to ask questions.
Examples:

What is your name?
What subject did you enjoy most?

Cardinal Adjectives

Adjectives that modify the noun by numbering it are cardinal adjectives.
Examples:

Categorize the plants into four groups.
Susan has nine cousins.

Nouns Used as Adjectives

Sometimes nouns can be used as adjectives to define or describe another noun.
Examples:

A history teacher
The computer exhibition