Put simply, an adjective modifies a noun. Examples:
John is a tall man.
It is a yellow bag.
They are also typically used with stative verbs (non-actions) that express opinions, senses etc. These are known as predicate adjectives. Examples:
I feel tired.
The soup smells delicious.
Adjectives can be identified as any word that helps describe the noun, so that includes numbers, colours and quantifiers. Here are some more simple examples:
There were many people at the concert.
There were three people in the room.
The man was Irish.
He felt cold, so she gave him a warm jumper.
Any comparison words, or superlatives, are also adjectives.
That boat is bigger than that boat.
She’s the best tennis player in the world.
Adjectives can also be used together, usually with the use of a comma, or a suitable conjunction. These are known as coordinate adjectives. Examples:
The man was wearing a long, brown jacket.
The band was playing a popular, hummable tune.
Adjectives consisting of two words are nearly always hyphenated. Examples:
It was an old-fashioned piece of furniture.
Sarah is an easy-going person
But while adjectives help bring detail and precision to what is being described, they should be used intelligently. Common mistakes include:
She had dark, long hair.
The favoured order would be style (long) + colour (dark).
He sings good.
Here the word is modifying a verb, so an adverb should be used. The adverb of good is well.
The cold, wet rain was falling all night long.
Is rain not always wet?
Tommy felt starving, so he knew it was time for lunch.
Starving? Was Tommy not merely hungry? Do not tend towards hyperbole.
Tommy was very starving.
You cannot be very starving. Starving is already an extreme, and can only be modified by an extreme, such as absolutely.
In summary, when used well, adjectives elevate communication to a more effective level.
Practical tips for using adjectives
Use adjectives to add necessary detail, not noise. Prefer one precise adjective to a string of vague modifiers, and remove words that repeat obvious information.
When you use more than one adjective, follow a natural ordering (opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose) so descriptions sound fluent and predictable.
Hyphenate compound adjectives placed before a noun (e.g., well-known writer), and avoid weakening words that clash with absolute terms (for example, don’t pair an extreme adjective with “very”).
- Check whether the word modifies a noun (adjective) or a verb (use an adverb instead).
- When piling on adjectives, apply the standard order to keep phrases natural.
- Hyphenate modifiers that function together before a noun; don’t hyphenate after the noun.
- Avoid redundant adjective pairs (cold rain, wet rain) and exaggerated extremes.
- When possible, choose a stronger noun or verb to reduce the need for multiple adjectives.
FAQ
How can I quickly tell if a word should be an adverb?
If the word describes how, when, where, or to what extent an action happens, it usually needs an adverb (she sings well, not she sings good). If it describes a person, place, thing, or idea, it’s an adjective.
When exactly do I hyphenate compound adjectives?
Hyphenate compound adjectives that modify a noun directly before it (a high-quality product). Do not hyphenate when the compound follows the noun (the product is high quality).
What if I’m unsure whether an adjective is too strong?
Replace extreme words with milder alternatives or add evidence. If a description feels exaggerated, choose a clearer, verifiable adjective or remove it altogether.
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