Adjective

Adjective (we‡klY)

What are adjectives? An adjective is a word which typically modifies a noun and denotes a temporary or permanent quality associated with that noun. For example: 1. Borney is a clever girl. (Girl of what kind?) 2. I don't like that boy. (Which boy?) 3. He gave me five mangoes. (How many mangoes?) 4. There is little time for preparation. (How much time?)

Kinds of Adjectives

Adjectives may be divided into the following classes:

1. Adjectives of Quality (¸YevPK we‡klY)

2. Adjectives of Quantity (cwigvYevPK we‡klY)

3. Adjectives of Number (msL¨vevPK we‡klY)

(i) Definite Numeral Adjectives (wbw`©ó msL¨vevPK we‡klY)

(ii) Indefinite Numeral Adjectives (Awbw`©ó msL¨vevPK we‡klY)

(iii) Distributive (cÖ‡Z¨‡K) Numeral Adjectives

4. Demonstrative Adjectives (cÖ`k©bg~jK we‡klY)

5. Interrogative Adjectives (wRÁvmvg~jK we‡klY)

6. Pronominal Adjective

Adjectives of Quality (¸YevPK we‡klY)

Adjectives of quality refer to the kind or quality of a person or thing. They answer the question: ‘of what kind’(‡Kgb ai‡bi) For example: Tokyo is a large city. Alice is a brilliant student.

Adjectives of Quantity (cwigvYevPK we‡klY)

Adjectives of quantity answer the question ‘how much’ (KZ/UzKz). Examples are: some, any, much, little, enough, all, no, half, whole etc. For example: We need some rice. You have little patience. He has lost all his wealth. He did not eat any rice. I ate some rice. He showed much patience. He has little intelligence. We have had enough exercise. You have no sense. Take great care of your health. He claimed his half share of the booty. There has not been sufficient rain this year. The whole sum was expended.

Adjectives of Number (msL¨vevPK we‡klY)

Adjectives of number answer the question ‘how many’ (KqwU/KZwU). Examples are: many, one, two, first, tenth, some, few, all etc. For example: Each hand has five fingers. Sunday is the first day of the week. All men must die. There are several mistakes in your essay. Few cats like cold water. There are no pictures in this book. I have taught you many things. All men must die. Here are some ripe mangoes. Most boys like cricket. Sunday is the first day of the week  

(i) Definite Numeral Adjectives (wbw`©ó msL¨vevPK we‡klY) denote an exact number as:

One, two, three, etc are called Cardinal Adjective.

First, second, third, etc are called Ordinal Adjective.

[ Note: A Cardinal denotes how many and an Ordinal, the order of things in a series. ]

(ii) Indefinite Numeral Adjectives (Awbw`©ó msL¨vevPK we‡klY) do not denote an exact number as: All, no, many, few, some, any, certain, several, etc.  For example: There are few / several / some / many books on the table.

(iii) Distributive (cÖ‡Z¨‡K) Numeral Adjectives refer to each one of a number as: For example: Each boy must take his turn. India expects every man to do his duty. Every word of it is false. Either pen will do. On either side is a narrow lane. Neither accusation is true.

Demonstrative Adjectives (cÖ`k©bg~jK we‡klY)

Demonstrative adjectives answer the question ‘which’ (‡KvbwU). For example: this, that, these, those and such. For example: That boy is industrious. This bag is made of expensive leather. Those mangoes were very sweet. I hate such people. Note that this and that are used with singular nouns. These and those are used with plural nouns.

Interrogative Adjectives (wRÁvmvg~jK we‡klY)

When they are used with nouns to ask questions, the questions words ‘what’, ‘which (‡KvbwU)’ and ‘whose (Kvi)’ are called Interrogative Adjectives. For example: Whose book is this? Which way will you go?

n       Pronominal Adjective: The pronominal adjective is derived from pronoun.

For example:

My, her, his, our,  

This is my garden. Their school is very nice.

Md. Saiful Alam

B. A. Honours and M. A. in English

Lecturer of English

Queen’s College, Dhaka

E-mail: suman64924@gmail.com

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