adj Flashcards
1.He has joined a three years course.
1.The sentence actually means He joined a course, which has a duration of three years. Now, which has a duration of three years is an adjective clause qualifying the noun course. If we want to substitute this adjective clause by a one-word adjective, the word is the compound adjective three-year. Note that year is a unit of time. When thus used in a compound adjective, the unit is always in the singular. Hence, Correct:He has joined a three-year course.
2.Of Delhi and Bombay, which city is the hottest?
2.Remember the rule: In comparing two things or classes of things the comparative should be used. Here there are only two cities. Hence, we should use the comparative, not the superlative. Correct:Of Delhi and Bombay, which city is the hotter?
3.Little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
3.Little is used in the negative sense of hardly any. Since the sentence here positively states what is, the adjective should be a little. Correct:A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Note: The sentence is a part of Pope’s famous couplet: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing; Drink deep or touch not the Pierian spring.
4.Mark Waugh scored less runs in this series than in theprevious one.
4.Less is the comparative degree of little. We know that little is an adjective of quantity. An adjective of quantity is used with nouns which are names of measurable (not countable) things. Can runs be measured? No, they are counted. So, an adjective of number should be used. Few in this category corresponds to little. And since it is in the comparative degree, the appropriate word is fewer. So, Correct:Mark Waugh scored fewer runs in this series than in the previous one.
5.Among the politicians, who could be called morehonest?
5.How many politicians are we talking about? Since the precise number is not given, we assume the number to be more than two. In case of more than two things we use the superlative, not the comparative degree. So, Correct:Among the politicians, who could be called the most honest?
6.The craftiness is essential for a politician.
6.Here craftiness is an abstract noun used in a general sense. The rule says: The article is omitted before abstract nouns used in a general sense. So, delete the. Correct:Craftiness is essential for a politician.
7.Living in a dark room is more preferable than beingimprisoned in a sunny palace.
7.Remember the rule: Preferable has the force of a comparative and is followed by to. When preferable is a comparative by itself, why add more to it? Also, replace than by to. So, Correct:Living in a dark room is preferable to being imprisoned in a sunny palace.
8.His record this year is more commendable than lastyear.
8.It appears as if record (the subject-word of the main clause) were being compared to year. Now, the two are not similar and hence incomparable. Actually, it should be His record this year is more commendable than his record last year. The sentence can be further improved. The repetition of his record may be avoided by substituting the pronoun that. So, Correct:His record is more commendable than that last year.
9.Truth is that you cannot please all.
9.There are so many truths in the world. Of these one particular truth is being mentioned here. So, the definite article the should be used. Correct:The truth is that you cannot please all. Note: If truth is used in a general sense (that is, any truth), the article is dropped. For example, Truth prevails.
10.Apples from Uttarakhand are inferior than thosefrom Himachal.
10.Inferior is followed by to (see text). So, Correct:Apples from Uttarakhand are inferior to those from Himachal.
11.This building is taller than any building in this city.
11.In the given sentence, between which two is the comparison? This building and any building. If we think carefully, we find that any building includes this building also. This means that this building is being compared to this building. Absurd! How to set things right? We have to remove this building from the latter term of comparison in the given sentence. The relationship is mathematical as follows: any building - this building = any other building So, Correct:This building is taller than any other building in this city.
12.The thing of beauty is joy forever.
12.There are so many things of beauty. And any of them is a source of joy. If you say the thing of beauty, others get excluded. So, Correct:A thing of beauty is joy forever. Note: This line is from Keats.
13.Sita is more intelligent than all of her sisters.
13.Usually, an individual is compared to another individual — not to a group, but to a representative of the group or one member of the group at a time. Sita is an individual. Her intelligence cannot be compared to the entire group — all of her sisters. The latter term of comparison should also be individuals. So, Correct:Sita is more intelligent than any of her sisters.
14.Queen Elizabeth is not the richest of all otherpersons on earth.
14.The rule says: In a comparison by means of a superlative, the latter term should include (not exclude as in the case of comparative, see Q. 11 above) the former. This inclusion is achieved if we remove other from the given sentence. So, Correct:Queen Elizabeth is not the richest of all persons on earth.
15.A computer is an advanced version of a calculator.
15.Here computer and calculator do not occur as individuals, but more as a class, as a concept. So, use the. Correct:The computer is an advanced version of the calculator.
16.There has been no farther addition to the project.
16.Farther is strictly used when it means distance. So, Correct:There has been no further addition to the project.
17.I can never forget that he was junior than me.
17.Like inferior, junior also ends in -or and is followed by to. Correct:I can never forget that he was junior to me.
18.Poetry is essence of humanity.
18.Essence is here being particularised by the adjective phrase of humanity. So, use the definite article the. Correct:Poetry is the essence of humanity.
19.It was the most unique choice.
19.Unique means the only one of its kind. If it is the only one, how can it be compared? Comparison is possible only when there are others of its kind. So, Correct:It was a unique choice.
20.The most happiest thing about it is that it never runsshort of fuel.
20.Happy is a simple word which has happiest as its superlative. Adding most to it would make the adjective doubly superlative. This is not permissible. So, Correct:The happiest thing about it is that it never runs short of fuel.
21.Do not get disturbed by those kind of rumours.
21.Those is an adjective used for kind, not rumours. Kind is a singular noun. So, those should be changed to singular that. Correct:Do not get disturbed by that kind of rumours.
22.Krishna is considered to be the most ideal student.
22.Similar to Q. 19 above. Ideal means perfect in every way. When a thing is perfect, there is no room left for comparison. So, the superlative degree should be changed to the positive. Correct:Krishna is considered to be an ideal student. Note: Why an ideal and not the ideal? Simply because there may be other ideal students also. However, since they are perfect, none of them can be compared.
23.The living dog is better than the dead lion.
23.Which dog? The living dog. As soon as the noun becomes qualified (here by the participle living), we expect the definite article the to pop in. But note that here we are not singling out a particular living dog. It could be any living dog. So, Correct:A living dog is better than a dead lion.
24.There are the times when you are not sure what todo.
24.Delete the. It is not used in such phrases as there are times, there are places, there are persons, there are books, etc. Correct:There are times when you are not sure what to do.
25.The number of cars was fewer than that of bicycles.
25.If the subject-word were cars, fewer would have been correct. But when you use number, it is either lesser or greater, not fewer or more. So, Correct:The number of cars was lesser than that of bicycles.
26.Cynics believe that a few persons are good in thisworld.
26.This one is also a vocabulary test. Who is a cynic? One who thinks that people tend to act only in their own interests. He always has a low opinion of people’s reasons for doing things. For him, hardly anyone is good. Now, the correct substitute for hardly anyone is few. A few, on the other hand, would mean some and if you believe some persons to be good, you have a somewhat positive approach. Then you are not a cynic. Correct:Cynics believe that few persons are good in this world.
27.Of all militant groups, Hamara Watan is the mostextreme.
27.The sentence is correct! You seem uncomfortable with that? OK, let me explain. It is true that in usual cases, extreme does not admit of any comparison (like round, perfect, unique etc). But that is because it means greatest possible or furthest possible. Since it is already in the superlative, we are left with no room for comparison. The given sentence is, however, different. When we talk of extremist groups, we see that their extremity varies in degrees — from moderately extreme to extremely extreme. Extreme in their case means going beyond the usual limits. But, once having gone beyond the usual limits, the extent to which they go varies in degrees. Hence, comparison (the use of superlative) is justified in this case.
28.Everyone bowls off the mark; his is widest.
28.The article the precedes the superlative degree. Correct:Everyone bowls off the mark; his is the widest.
29.It was force of what you said that made me changemy decision.
29.See Q. 18 above. Force is being particularised by the adjective phrase of what you said. Correct:It was the force of what you said that made me change my decision.
30.He turned towards me with cheerful look.
30.The rule says: The indefinite article is used in the vague sense of a certain. Correct:He turned towards me with a cheerful look.
31.He drinks tea hotly.
31.What is hot — tea or drinking? Obviously, tea.If the adverb hotly is used, as in the given sentence, it would imply that it qualifies the verb drinks. This not being the case, adjective hot should be used for the noun tea. Correct:He drinks tea hot.
32.His both friends deserted him in the crisis.
32.Since a better construction is possible, it is not advisable to use pronominal adjectives (adjectives made from pronoun) together. Correct:Both of his friends deserted him in the crisis.
33.The well-furnished house is necessary for a decent living.
33.Why a particular well-furnished house? It could be any of the kind. So, Correct:A well-furnished house is necessary for a decent living.
34.You should have decided this prior to coming to livewith us.
34.Prior to is an adjective. But which noun or pronoun does it qualify? None. Decided is a verb and cannot take an adjective. So, prior to should be substituted by before. Correct:You should have decided this before coming to live with us. Note: This rule is not as rigid now as earlier.
35.You can make much profit even of a little moneyyou have left.
35.See little, a little, the little under Adjective of quantity. Correct:You can make much profit even of the little money you have left.
36.Peacock is the national bird of India.
36.The sentence is correct. No article should precede peacock because we are neither treating it here as an individual, nor as a class. It is more like a proper noun here.
37.The intelligence tests have questions based onfigures as well as oral ones.
37.The intelligence tests have two types of questions — one based on figures, the other on words. Those questions based on words are known as verbal (not oral, which means of mouth) ones. Those based on figures are not based on words and are therefore called non-verbal. Correct:The intelligence tests have questions based on figures as well as verbal ones.
38.A tourist city has many worth seeing places.
38.Worth seeing is an adjective phrase. An adjective phrase comes after the noun. So, Correct:A tourist city has many places worth seeing.
39.Do not tell the lie.
39.This admonition (warning) is generally used for lie in a general sense, not any particular lie only. When an abstract noun is used in a general sense, it is not preceded by an article. Correct:Do not tell lie.
40.Had it not been for common understanding, the twoof us would have parted long before.
40.Replace common by mutual. See Adjective of quality. Correct:Had it not been for mutual understanding, the two of us would have parted long before.
41.Footballer in him could not resist itself as soon as aball came into sight.
41.Here footballer stands for the qualities of the footballer. The rule says: The definite article is used before a common noun to give it the meaning of an abstract noun. So, Correct:The footballer in him could not resist itself as soon as a ball came into sight.
42.Players of this team are very depressed.
42.See Q. 18 above. Correct:The players of this team are very depressed.
43.I have a request; could you give me any money?
43.It is true that any is used in interrogative sentences. But, if it is a request, some is used. Correct:I have a request; could you give me some money?
44.Industrious are rewarded.
44.Industrious in itself does not make any sense. Actually it is industrious people (people being understood). In such cases, the is used before the adjective. So, Correct:The industrious are rewarded.
45.The cement is used for building houses.
45.Cement is a material noun. The article is not used before material nouns. Correct:Cement is used for building houses.
46.You are a good student; I have a little doubtregarding your success.
46.See Q. 35 above. Correct:You are a good student; I have little doubt regarding your success.
47.You can get your work done only when you meet theconcerned authority.
47.This is a special case. Concerned, when used before the noun, means anxious or worried. When used after the noun, it means having something to do with. Now, only that authority will help you who has got something to do with your work. Correct:You can get your work done only when you meet the authority concerned.
48.Lok Sabha passed the bill today.
48.Lok Sabha is the Indian version of the House of Commons. Note the use of the in the last sentence. Now, House of Commons could have been a common noun. But a capital H and a capital C ensure that it is the lower house of the Parliament and no other house of commons. So, the is used. Similarly, the United States of America (USA, now more popular as US). Correct:The Lok Sabha passed the bill today. Note: We may conclude: When a proper noun has its origin in a common noun, it is preceded by the definite article the.
49.Much of the problems are linked to poverty.
49.Problems are countable. So, use many in place of much. Correct:Many of the problems are linked to poverty.
50.It was the coldest and dry day.
50.When two adjectives are used with a noun, both of them should be in the same degree. So, Correct:It was the coldest and driest day. Or,It was a cold and dry day.
51.Prince of Wales finds himself in a dilemma.
51.See Q. 48 above. Correct:The Prince of Wales finds himself in a dilemma.
52.The South Africans have an impeccable record: theyhave won each game.
52.Use every in place of each because (i)the number of games is indefinite. (ii)every means each without exception; this kind of emphasis is in tune with the use of impeccable. Correct:The South Africans have an impeccable record; they have won every game.
53.A ten-year-old boy cannot be accepted as the king ofBharistan.
53.The sentence is correct. In such compound adjectives the unit of measurement (here year) is singular.
54.A union is strength.
54.See Q. 6 above. A union would make union a common noun; as in a trade union. But here it is an abstract noun. Correct:Union is strength.
55.A little do we see in Nature that is ours.
55.Look at the structure do we see. It gives you a clue to negativity. The sentence thus means: Almost nothing do we see in Nature that is ours. So, use little in place of a little. Correct:Little do we see in Nature that is ours.
56.Read Banking Services Chronicle for it keeps youapace with the last trends in exams.
56.The last trend will be the one after which there will not be any trend. This is not the case here. What is meant is recent trend. Recent is implied by the word latest. So, Correct:Read Banking Services Chronicle for it keeps you apace with the latest trends in exams.
57.Action will be taken against him.
57.Here action is a common noun. So, Correct:An action will be taken against him.
58.Those sort of excuses are not allowed in prestigiousinstitutions.
58.Sort is singular. So, change those to that. Correct:That sort of excuses is not allowed in prestigious institutions.
59.Every one of you two will have to join the party.
59.When there are only two persons, each is used instead of every. Correct:Each one of you two will have to join the party.
60.Faster you work, freer you are.
60.In such sentences where both the clauses use comparative degree and one clause is dependent on another, we use the before the comparatives. Correct:The faster you work, the freer you are.
61.What soft drink do you prefer?
61.When a choice has to be made, which should be used in place of what. Correct:Which soft drink do you prefer?
62.Is there some chance of India winning the match?
62.In interrogative sentences any is used in place of some. Correct:Is there any chance of India winning the match?
63.Netherlands is not a party to the summit.
“63.See Q. 48 above. Netherlands means ““lands in a lower position””. Since here it has become a proper noun meaning a particular country, the is used before it. So, Correct:The Netherlands is not a party to the summit.”
64.What innings it has been!
64.In such exclamatory sentences the indefinite article is used. Correct:What an innings it has been!
65.Both the children were wearing a new suit.
65.How can the children wear a (one) suit? It has to be written as distributive. Correct:Either of the children was wearing a new suit.
66.January is the first month of a year.
66.Not any year, but the Gregorian-calendar year. So, Correct:January is the first month of the year.
67.Deposed chief ministers are often content with thegovernorial post.
67.The adjective from governor is gubernatorial. Correct:Deposed chief ministers are often content with the gubernatorial post.
68.Any of the two movies can be seen first.
68.When the number is two only, either is used in place of any. Correct:Either of the two movies can be seen first.
69.Sun rises in east.
69.There is one sun and one east. So, use the before each. Correct:The sun rises in the east.
70.Nehru made a famous speech on the historicaloccasion of Independence.
70.Historical means connected with history as a study. For example, you conduct historical research. It also means based on or representing events in the past. You might have read a historical play or a historical novel. But anything that is likely to have an influence on history is historic, not historical. Now, Independence was one such occasion. So, Correct:Nehru made a famous speech on the historic occasion of Independence.
71.Mount Everest is the most high peak in the world.
71.The superlative degree of high is highest. Correct:Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world.
72.It is the best-of-five match.
72.Note that the adjective here is not best, but best-of-five. If it were best, the use of the would be correct because it is used before the superlative degree. But best-of-five is not in the superlative degree. Correct:It is a best-of-five match.
73.He felt lone in the town where no one knew him.
73.Lone means being without persons or things around. But the adjective which conveys the unhappiness arising from this state, is lonely. So, when it comes to feeling, lonely is the correct word. Correct:He felt lonely in the town where no one knew him.
74.This house is comfortabler than yours.
74.The comparative degree of longer words is formed by adding more. Correct:This house is more comfortable than yours.
75.Ram is elder to his brother Mohan by five years.
75.Elder is not used predicatively. So, Correct:Ram is older than his brother Mohan by five years.
1.If we exercise regularly (a)/ we will be (b)/ more healthier. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS 2013 (1)]
1.(b) ‘More’ is not required.
2.As a dramatist (a)/ shaw is superior than (b)/ any other 20th century writer. (c)/ No error (d)
2.(b) ‘Superior than’ should be ‘Superior to’. ‘superior’ is followed by ‘to’, not ‘than’.
3.Mutton is more hard (a)/ to digest (b)/ than vegetables. (c)/ No error (d) [CDS 2011 (1)]
3.(a) ‘More hard’ should be ‘harder’. The comparative form of the adjective ‘hard’ is ‘harder’. Most monosyllable adjectives take -er to form comparative.
4.Give your answers (a)/ in your own words (b)/ as far as practical. (c)/ No error (d) [SSC CGL TIER-II 2014]
4.(c) The phrase ‘as far as possible’ should be used in place of as far as practical.
5.Education is the only affective tool (a)/ to help eradicate (b)/ the problem of violence against woman. (c)/ No error (d) [SSC CGL TIER-II 2014]
5.(a) ‘Affective’ should be ‘effective’.
6.A well balanced diet (a)/ is essential for (b)/ good health. (c)/ No error (d) [SSC FCI 2013]
6.(d)
7.This novel (a)/ of Sheldon is more interesting (b)/ than any other novel. (c)/ No error (d) [SSC MTS 2013]
7.(d)
8.Though we both are of the same height (a)/ you are more heavier (b)/ than I. (c)/ No error (d) [SSC MTS 2013]
8.(b) It is never correct to use more + comparative adjective. ‘More heavier’ should be ‘heavier’.
