Grammar · Adjectives
The words that describe
An adjective describes a noun — it tells you what something is like: its size, colour, number, or quality. In Stage 1 you'll spot adjectives, choose the best one, and use comparative and superlative forms (bigger, biggest). Learn each below.
1 What an adjective does
An adjective describes a noun (or pronoun). It usually sits just before the noun, or after a being verb.
a red apple · the tall tree · the soup is hot. ✓
Test: does the word tell you more about a noun (what it's like)? Then it's an adjective.
2 Adjectives come in different kinds
They can describe many things about a noun.
Sizebig, tiny, enormous
Colourred, golden, pale
Qualitykind, brave, delicious
Numberthree, many, several
Feelinghappy, scared, excited
3 Comparative — comparing TWO
To compare two things, add -er (short words) or use more (longer words).
tall → taller · big → bigger · happy → happier · beautiful → more beautiful ✓
Trap: don't use both — ✗ "more taller". Pick one: taller OR more tall.
4 Superlative — comparing THREE OR MORE
For the "most" of all, add -est (short words) or use most (longer words), usually with the.
tall → the tallest · big → the biggest · happy → the happiest · beautiful → the most beautiful ✓
5 Spelling changes & irregulars
Watch the spelling rules: double the consonant (big→bigger), change y→i (happy→happier).
Irregular: good → better → best · bad → worse → worst · far → further → furthest ✓
Watch out Adjective vs adverb
An adjective describes a noun; an adverb describes a verb (often -ly). Don't mix them up.
a quick runner (adjective, describes 'runner') vs she ran quickly (adverb, describes 'ran'). ✓
10 worked examples
Read the question, then the answer with the rule that solves it.
1. Which is the adjective? — A fluffy kitten purred.
fluffy — it describes the noun 'kitten' (Rule 1).
2. Which describes the noun? — The ancient castle.
ancient — it tells us what the castle is like (Rule 1).
3. Comparative of 'fast'?
faster — short word, add -er (Rule 3).
4. Comparative of 'careful'?
more careful — longer word, use 'more' (Rule 3).
5. Superlative of 'small'?
the smallest — short word, add -est (Rule 4).
6. Superlative of 'difficult'?
the most difficult — long word, use 'most' (Rule 4).
7. Comparative of 'good'?
better — irregular (Rule 5).
8. Spell the comparative of 'big'.
bigger — double the g (Rule 5).
9. Spell the comparative of 'happy'.
happier — change y to i (Rule 5).
10. Adjective or adverb? — She sang softly.
Adverb — it describes how she sang (the verb), not a noun (Watch out).