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Formation of Adjectives
 
 
FORMATION OF ADJECTIVES

Formation of Adjectives in English Grammar

Formation of adjectives

"Adjectives are formed from nouns, verbs, and some are formed from other adjectives."

There are no simple rules for forming adjectives, but there are common patterns. Suffixes are words used at the end of a word to form a derivative word. By adding such suffixes, many new adjectives can be formed. Suffixes generally added are 'y', 'en', 'ful', 'some', 'al', 'ous', 'less', 'able', 'less', 'ative', 'ish' etc.

» Some original adverbs: seldom, always, yesterday, today, tomorrow, here, there, never, well.

Formation of Adjectives by adding Prefixes
Prefixes are added to the beginning of adjectives to change their meanings. The prefixes un-, in-, ir-, im-, and il- are often confused because they all mean not and opposite of.
Prefix Examples
un- unhappy, unimportant, unrealistic
in- incomplete, infinite, inactive
ir- irrelevant, irregular, irrational
im- impossible, improper, immature
il- illegal, illogical, illegible
Formation of Adjectives by adding Suffixes
Suffixes are added to the end of words and change grammatical category of the words. Here are some examples of suffixes:
Suffix Examples
-able/-ible acceptable, admirable, horrible, visible
-al comical, historical, musical, magical
-ful beautiful, colourful, forgetful, powerful
-ic Arabic, economic, romantic, scenic
-ical historical, political, satirical
-ish childish, foolish, Spanish, Swedish
-ive/-ative attractive, creative, imaginative
-less friendless, effortless, meaningless
-ing exciting, interesting, tiring
-y angry, cloudy, dusty, sticky
-ed bored, excited, talented, tired
-ous dangerous, mountainous, poisonous
Formation of Adjectives by adding ‘er’ and ‘est’
Comparative & superlative degrees are formed by adding ‘er’ and ‘est’ to the positive degree.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Tall Taller Tallest
Thick Thicker Thickest
Short Shorter Shortest
Kind Kinder Kindest
Great Greater Greatest
Poor Poorer Poorest
Formation of Adjectives by adding ‘r’ and ‘st’
When the positive (adjective) ends in ‘e’, only ‘r’ and ‘st’ are added to comparative & superlative respectively.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Brave Braver Bravest
Large Larger Largest
Wise Wiser Wisest
Fine Finer Finest
Formation of Adjectives ends with ‘y’ and has a consonant before it
When positive (adjective) ends with ‘y’ and has a consonant before it - ‘y’ is changed into ‘i’ and ‘er’. and ‘est’ are added.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Happy Happier Happiest
Heavy Heavier Heaviest
Lazy Lazier Laziest
Easy Easier Easiest
Formation of Adjectives ends with vowel + y
When adjective ends with vowel + y, ‘er’ and ‘est’ is added.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Gray Grayer Grayest
Pray Prayer Prayest
Formation of Adjectives when a single consonant is at the end
In small words - when a single consonant is at the end, we double the consonant in comparative and superlative respectively and add er and est.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Fat Fatter Fattest
Big Bigger Biggest
Sad Sadder Saddest
Hot Hotter Hottest
Thin Thinner Thinnest
Formation of Adjectives with Irregular Comparison
Irregular Comparison: Some adjectives do not follow any rules and they have their comparatives & superlatives.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Bad Worse Worst
Good Better Best
Little Less Least
Many More Most
Old Older Oldest
Elder Elder Eldest
Far Farther Farthest (distance)
Far Further Furthest (position)

Note : Some positive adjectives normally do not have comparatives and superlatives. eg. Round, unique, external, infinite, parallel, square, perfect etc.

Related Topics :
Types of Noun in English Language
Types of Pronoun in English Language
Types of Verb in English Language
Types of Adverb in English Language
Types of Adjective in English Language
Kinds of Preposition in English Language
Types of Conjunction in English Language
Uses of Interjection words in English Language

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