An adjective is a word or group of words used to describe a noun.
The red apple was in a glass bowl.
The adjectives in this sentence are “red” and “glass.” “Red” modifies the noun “apple” and “glass” modifies the noun “bowl.”
A prepositional phrase can act as an adjective.
The apple was in a bowl on the table.
The prepositional phrase “on the table” acts as an adjective to describe the noun “bowl.”
A linking verb links a subject with a predicate. When a subject is linked to an adjective, the modifier is called a predicate adjective.
The apple tastes sweet.
The verb “tastes” links the subject, “apple,” with the predicate adjective, “sweet.”
Adjectives used for comparison are either comparative or superlative.
- A comparative adjective is used to compare two people or things. Comparative adjectives generally end in “-er” or are themselves modified by “more” or “less.”
An apple is sweeter than a lemon.
I think that apples are more delicious than bananas.
- A superlative adjective is used to compare more than two people or things. Superlative adjectives generally end in “-est” or are themselves modified by “most” or “least.”
Apples, bananas, and peaches are all sweet, but peaches are sweetest.
Apples, bananas, and peaches are all tasty, but I think peaches are the most delicious.
Do not confuse comparative and superlative adjectives. Comparative adjectives can only be used to compare two people or things, and superlative adjectives can only be used to compare more than two people or things.
Apples and peaches are delicious, but peaches are best.
“Best” is a superlative adjective that means “surpassing all others.” Since this sentence contains a comparison of only two things, use the comparative “better.”
Apples and peaches are delicious, but peaches are better.
Do not use a comparative adjective when comparing more than two people or things, as in the following sentence:
After eating an apple, a banana, and a peach, I decided that the peach was better.
“Better” is a comparative adjective incorrectly used in this sentence to compare three things. Use the superlative “best” in this context.
After eating an apple, a banana, and a peach, I decided that I the peach was best.
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