Functions of Adjectives
Adjectives describe the aspects of nouns. When an adjective is describing a noun, we say it is “modifying” it. Adjectives can:
Describe feelings or qualities
Examples
- He is a lonely man.
- They are honest.
Give nationality or origin
Examples
- I heard a French song.
- This clock is German.
- Our house is Victorian.
Tell more about a thing’s characteristics
Examples
- That is a flashy car.
- The knife is sharp.
Tell us about age
Examples
- He’s a young man.
- My coat is old.
Tell us about size and measurement
Examples
- John is a tall man.
- This film is long.
Tell us about colour
Examples
- Paul wore a red shirt.
- The sunset was crimson.
Tell us what something is made of
Examples
- The table is wooden.
- She wore a cotton dress.
Tell us about shape
Examples
- I sat at a round table.
- The envelope is square.
Express a judgement or a value
Examples
- That was a fantastic film.
- Grammar is complicated.
Exercises with feelings and qualities
Exercise 1:
Complete the sentences with the appropriate adjectives:
- The news of her promotion made her feel ________________.
- Despite the challenges, he approached the situation with ________________ determination.
- The unexpected compliment left her feeling ________________.
- In the face of adversity, he displayed remarkable ________________.
- The breathtaking sunset painted the sky with hues of ________________.
Exercise 2:
Choose the right adjectives to fill in the blanks:
- After completing the marathon, she felt a sense of ________________ accomplishment.
- The suspenseful movie left the audience feeling ________________.
- The old friends shared a moment of ________________ nostalgia as they reminisced about the past.
- The toddler’s giggles were infectious, spreading ________________ joy to everyone around.
- Facing the vast ocean, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of ________________ awe.
Exercise 3:
Use the given adjectives to complete the sentences:
- The unexpected news left her feeling ________________ and elated.
- Despite the setback, he maintained a ________________ and optimistic outlook.
- The serene surroundings created a ________________ atmosphere in the room.
- His ________________ response to criticism showed his maturity and resilience.
- The heartwarming gesture filled her with ________________ gratitude.
Exercise 4:
Insert the appropriate adjectives:
- The challenging puzzle required ________________ concentration to solve.
- Their ________________ friendship was evident in the way they supported each other.
- The breathtaking view from the mountaintop left them feeling ________________ and peaceful.
- His ________________ efforts in the project were acknowledged and appreciated.
- The unexpected act of kindness created a ________________ ripple effect in the community.
Exercise 5:
Complete the sentences with the suitable adjectives:
- The unexpected turn of events left her feeling ________________ and bewildered.
- The heartfelt apology was met with ________________ forgiveness.
- Despite the long journey, the travelers were filled with ________________ anticipation.
- The challenging task required a combination of skill and ________________ patience.
- The remarkable achievement was a result of her ________________ dedication and hard work.