WHAT KIND? new car. striped tie red skirt. warm pie WHICH ONE? this butterfly. any piece every page. first time HOW MANY?

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1 LESSON THREE: THE ADJECTIVE An adjective is a word that describes or "modifies" a noun or a pronoun. To modify means to make it more specific or change it slightly. Adjectives answer the following questions: WHAT KIND? new car striped tie red skirt warm pie WHICH ONE? this butterfly any piece every page first time HOW MANY? one hamburger six flowers many cucumbers few people HOW MUCH? enough space more time little rain no food Adjectives can appear before or after the nouns or pronouns they modify. 1 She saw a smiling face. They are happy and talkative. The room, narrow and dark, frightened me. EXERCISE FOURTEEN: Circle the adjectives and draw an arrow from the adjective to the noun or pronoun modified. 1. The flat desert stretched before him. 2. The sleek gray horse galloped across the pasture. 3. The long, narrow column of soldiers marched through the pass. 4. Every qualified person can enter the contest. 5. Quiet and sullen, he sat in the corner. 6. She looked sick to me. 7. Great flocks of large birds migrate here in the spring.

2 2 NOUNS AS ADJECTIVES When a noun is used to modify another noun or a pronoun, it then becomes an adjective. For instance: I enjoy summer. (noun) but I enjoy summer vacation. (adjective) He lives in Asia. (noun) but He is an Asian citizen. (adjective) KINDS OF NOUN ADJECTIVES Common Noun Adjectives Proper Noun Adjectives formed from a common noun the morning meal a shoe salesman the wedding cake formed from a proper noun The Truman library December weather Florida wetlands American history* Roman statue* Possessive Noun Adjectives possessive nouns are always used as adjectives they answer the questions Whose? or Which? *sometimes the proper noun changes form to become an adjective Alice's grades John's coat the farmers' group the settlers' camp EXERCISE FIFTEEN: Circle the nouns used as adjectives.

3 1. I am wearing a cotton shirt My neighbor is the tax collector in town. 3. Bill brought his father's parrot to class today. 4. I would not enjoy working as a dog warden. 5. The Maine coast is a beautiful place to vacation. 6. The school bus was late today. 7. Our police department has four new cars. 8. In the summer I like to walk around the golf course. 9. Italian food is my favorite. 10. Do you send Thanksgiving cards every year? 11. We drove Vicki's car to the movies. 12. They planted a beautiful flower garden in the park. 13. Don't take up too much of the members' time. 14. We have several Russian friends now. 15. We painted the wood shutters a bright red.

4 4 PRONOUNS USED AS ADJECTIVES When a pronoun is used to modify a noun or another pronoun, it then becomes an adjective. For example: One of us will survive this day. (pronoun) but We have seen that movie one time. (adjective) What did you do yesterday? (pronoun) but What day did they arrive? (adjective) KINDS OF PRONOUN ADJECTIVES Possessive pronoun adjectives Demonstrative pronoun adjectives Interrogative pronoun adjectives Indefinite pronoun adjectives personal pronouns that answer "which one?"- like possessive nouns, they are always adjectives this, that, these, those which, what, whose some, many, several, few, another, both, etc. our dog my book his watch their money this baby these papers which movie? what time? whose money? each cookie most players all jackets another baby

5 5 EXERCISE SIXTEEN: Circle the pronouns used as adjectives. 1. On Monday I am starting my training. 2. There goes another day. 3. Whose book will you borrow today? 4. The explorers pitched their tent in the woods. 5. My mother bought me a shirt for the wedding. 6. He wanted to plant those seeds in the garden. 7. Please check each book for damage. 8. You should give your suggestion to Mr. Smith. 9. What kind of model did you build? 10. Sports do not appeal to all people. 11. These books must be returned to the library today. 12. The general directed his men in battle. 13. Most people would not like mustard with fries. 14. This chair is too big for the room. 15. Which toy will the young child choose?

6 6 OTHER KINDS OF ADJECTIVES Articles* *although articles are adjectives, most teachers will ask you to ignore them in exercises and tests a, an, the a person an orange* the boat *use "a" with consonant sounds; use "an" with vowel sounds Compound adjectives Verbs as adjectives Predicate Adjectives made up of more than one word verbs with ing or past tense endings the adjective and the noun or pronoun it modifies are separated by the verb full-time job well-known actor fiberglass wall running water the expected winner a broken bone Kathy is tired. The boy seemed lost. EXERCISE SEVENTEEN: Circle the adjectives from the above list. 1. My uncle was a featherweight boxer in the '50s. 2. The little boy seemed lost and tired. 3. The cooked food won't spoil. 4. They quickly chose a well-qualified candidate. 5. When she got home from work, Mom looked sick. 6. A walking tour was arranged for all of us. 7. My sister came home with a bluish-green dress for the dance.

7 7 8. He was big and strong. ADJECTIVES REVIEW EXERCISE PART ONE: Circle the adjectives in the following sentences; there are 26 total not counting articles. 1. When I looked up, I saw a bright, smiling face. 2. Someday I will own an old white Colonial house in the heart of the city. 3. A haunted house stood on the barren hill. 4. I am the smartest student in the seventh grade. 5. What a sunny day for a noisy and fun picnic! 6. Fort Laramie was an important stop on the trip to beautiful California. 7. A loud, shrill whistle pierced the air. 8. We drove into the noisy, crowded intersection of a quaint little town. 9. In her third and fourth years, she broke the swimming records. 10. We saw a small, hairy animal at the zoo. PART TWO: In the first blank, write the adjectives; in the second blank, write the noun or pronoun it modifies. Do not use articles. Adjective Word modified 1. The spoiled cheese has turned green. 2. He just concluded a whirlwind tour of America. 3. Your English class meets after lunch.

8 8 4. Look at those cobwebs in the corner. Adjective Word Modified 5. Several spiders scurried along a hanging branch. 6. He wore a steel helmet along with these gloves. 7. I called Tom's phone but couldn't find him. 8. Do you know whose boots they are? 9. Following the basketball game, we went home. 10. I think that child is a brat. 11. He gave an American flag to his mother. 12. You went to see a John Wayne movie at what theater? 13. After exercising, I felt strong and proud of myself. 14. Several teachers stayed home today with the flu. 15. I would love to own one of da Vinci's paintings.

9 9 16. The soldiers practiced under battle conditions. 17. What vegetable would you like for our dinner? ADJECTIVE REVIEW PART THREE: COMPOSING 1. Write a complete sentence that contains a possessive pronoun adjective modifying a common noun. 2. Write a complete sentence that contains the verb "seemed" followed by two predicate adjectives. 3. Write a complete sentence that contains a proper noun adjective. 4. Write a complete sentence that contains a compound adjective. 5. Write a complete sentence that contains an indefinite pronoun adjective. 6. Write a complete sentence that contains a possessive noun adjective. 7. Write a complete sentence that uses the adjectives "remote" and "small" to modify a proper noun.

10 10 8. Write a complete sentence that contains an adjective answering the question "how many?" 9. Write a complete sentence that contains a demonstrative pronoun adjective.