4/14/2020 Using adjectives in English | English Grammar | EF

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English grammar (/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/) /  Adjectives (/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/adjectives/)

USING ADJECTIVES IN ENGLISH

Adjectives in English are invariable. They do not change their form depending on the gender or number of the noun.

EXAMPLES
This is a hot potato.
Those are some hot potatoes.

To emphasise or strengthen the meaning of an adjective, use the adverbs very or really in front of the adjective you want to strengthen.

EXAMPLES
This is a very hot potato
Those are some really hot potatoes.

Adjectives in English usually appear in front of the noun that they modify.

EXAMPLES
The beautiful girl ignored me.
The fast red car drove away.

Adjectives can also appear after being and sensing verbs like to be, to seem , to look & to taste.

EXAMPLES
Italy is beautiful.
I don't think she seems nice at all.
You look tired.
This meat tastes funny.

SOME EXCEPTIONS
Adjectives appear after the noun in some xed expressions.

EXAMPLES
The Princess Royal is visiting Oxford today.
The President elect made a speech last night.
He received a court martial the following week.

The adjectives involved, present & concerned can appear either before or after the noun that they modify, but with a di erent meaning depending on the
placement.

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4/14/2020 Using adjectives in English | English Grammar | EF

EXAMPLES

Adjective placed after the noun Meaning Adjective placed before Meaning
the noun

I want to see the people involved. I want to see the people who have something It was an involved The discussion was
to do with this matter. discussion. detailed & complex.

Here is a list of the people present Here is a list of the people who were at the The present situation is not The current situation is
at the meeting. meeting. sustainable. not sustainable.

I need to see the man concerned I need to see the man who has been accused. A concerned father came to A worried father came to
by this accusation. see me today. see me today.

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