Descriptive Words Flashcards
What is the primary purpose of adjectives?
Describe nouns and pronouns.
What are the three articles in English?
a, an, the
When do you use “an” instead of “a”?
When the noun starts with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u, y)
Where are adjectives typically placed in a sentence?
Usually before the noun or pronoun they describe
How do adjectives relate to linking verbs?
They describe the subject when following a linking verb
How are two adjectives typically separated when describing the same noun?
With a comma or the word “and”
What are the basic comparison forms for adjectives?
-er (comparing two things), -est (comparing more than two things)
When do you shouldn’t use “more” with an adjective?
Not with adjectives already ending in -er or -est
What is an example of a pronoun functioning as an adjective?
“My” - shows ownership
How do you form comparatives for two-syllable adjectives ending in -y?
Drop the y, add i, then -er or -est (e.g., happy → happier, happiest)
What are some adjectives that do NOT have comparative forms?
Words like final, dead, unique, vertical, wrong - they only exist in their simplest form
Can nouns be used as adjectives?
Yes, but they are usually singular (e.g., shoe store, not shoes store)
What is a sign that two adjectives can be separated by a comma?
The sentence maintains its meaning when the adjectives are reversed
How do you emphasize multiple adjectives describing a noun?
Use commas or “and” between the adjectives (e.g., “A storm, icy and wet, blanketed the Northeast”)
What is the difference between “most” and “more” in comparisons?
“More” typically compares two things, while “Most” compares three or more things
