Using Adjectives in English

Adjectives in English are invariable. They do not change their form depending on the gender or number of the noun.

EXAMPLES

• This is a hot potato.
• Those are some hot potatoes.

To emphasise or strengthen the meaning of an adjective, use the adverbs very or really in front of the adjective you want to strengthen.

EXAMPLES

• This is a very hot potato
• Those are some really hot potatoes.

Adjectives in English usually appear in front of the noun that they modify.

EXAMPLES

• The beautiful girl ignored me.
• The fast red car drove away.

Adjectives can also appear after being and sensing verbs like to be, to seem , to look & to taste.

EXAMPLES

• Italy is beautiful.
• I don't think she seems nice at all.
• You look tired.
• This meat tastes funny.

SOME EXCEPTIONS

Adjectives appear after the noun in some fixed expressions.

EXAMPLES

• The Princess Royal is visiting Oxford today.
• The President elect made a speech last night.
• He received a court martial the following week.

The adjectives involved, present & concerned can appear either before or after the noun that they modify, but with a different meaning depending on the placement.

EXAMPLES

Adjective placed after the noun	Meaning	Adjective placed before the noun	Meaning
I want to see the people involved.	I want to see the people who have something to do with this matter.	It was an involveddiscussion.	The discussion was detailed & complex.
Here is a list of the people presentat the meeting.	Here is a list of the people who were at the meeting.	The present situation is not sustainable.	The current situation is not sustainable.
I need to see the man concernedby this accusation.	I need to see the man who has been accused.	A concerned father came to see me today.	A worried father came to see me today.