English Grammar  – Adjectives Exercises with Answers

 

Exercises on AdjectivesAdjectives are also known as describing words because they tell us something more about the noun or pronoun. These describing words give information about the subject – its appearance, qualities, quantity, etc. Adjectives are a crucial part of speech and students must include a variety of adjectives to achieve effective communication. The exercises on adjectives will help students get a grasp on identifying adjectives, filling the blanks with the correct adjective and also, the correct use of degrees of adjectives.

What is an Adjective?

An adjective is an aspect of language that modifies or describes nouns and pronouns to improve communication. Its main purpose is to bring more meaning and specificity to language by giving more details about the features, traits, or qualities of the related noun or pronoun.

 

Adjectives come in various forms, reflecting the diversity of information they convey. Descriptive adjectives elucidate observable features, such as the “sunny day” or the “tall building,” while quantitative adjectives express quantity or amount, as in “three books” or “many people.” Adjectives that point to specific nouns, like “this car,” are demonstrative adjectives; possessive adjectives, like “her house,” imply ownership.

When constructing sentences, adjectives provide versatility because they can come before or after the noun they modify. This decision affects the expression’s emphasis and style; “a beautiful garden” versus “a garden beautiful” are two examples. Adjectives are essentially essential language tools that enhance communication by adding levels of meaning and enabling a richer, more vivid comprehension of the subjects they describe. They are necessary for clear communication and successful expression because of their subtlety and versatility.

Functions of Adjectives

Adjectives have several functions in language, and they play a crucial role in enriching communication. Here are the key functions of adjectives:

 

      • Changes to Nouns and Pronouns: Adjectives are mostly used to describe or alter nouns and pronouns. They offer further details regarding the features, traits, or properties of these entities. Example: The happy child (adjective modifying the noun “child”).
      • Adding Information and Clarity: Adjectives provide language with additional specificity and detail, which improves the vividness and accuracy of descriptions. They contribute to a more coherent image by giving details regarding dimensions, hue, form, and so forth. Example: A majestic mountain.
      • Expressing Quantity and Number: Adjectives are used to convey information about how much or how many nouns there are by indicating their quantity or number. Example: Five apples.
      • Degrees and Comparisons: Comparisons between two or more entities are possible thanks to the ability of adjectives to convey degrees of similarity. Positive, comparative, and superlative are the three degrees. Example: Positive – The flower is beautiful.; Comparative – The rose is more beautiful than the daisy.; Superlative – The orchid is the most beautiful flower.
      • Describing Color, Shape, and Appearance: Adjectives are frequently used to describe the general look, color, or shape of nouns. Example: A blue sky.
      • Identifying Measurement and Size: Adjectives give details about a noun’s dimensions, including height, length, and other dimensions. Example: A small puppy.
      • Expressing Feelings or Assessing: Adjectives give descriptions a sentimental touch by expressing feelings, attitudes, and personal assessments. Example: An exciting movie.

 

 

Types of Adjectives 

      1. Descriptive Adjectives:These adjectives explain a noun’s traits or attributes. Example: The green grass, a tall building, an old book.

 

      1. Quantitative Adjectives: These adjectives describe how much or how much of a noun there is. Example: Lots of apples, a couple of pals, and lots of chances.

 

      1. Demonstrative Adjectives: These adjectives identify or refer to a certain noun. For instance: These books, that house, and that car.

 

      1. Possessive Adjectives: Definition: These adjectives show ownership or possession. Example: Their home, her laptop, and my cat.

 

      1. Interrogative Adjectives: These adjectives are used to ask questions about a noun.For instance, which movie, whose bag, and when.

 

      1. Comparative and Superlative Adjectives: Adjectives that are superlative or comparative are used to contrast the attributes of various nouns. They help in expressing comparison degrees by showing how much more or less of an attribute one thing possesses than another. Comparative Example: Taller, smaller, more interesting.

Superlative Example: Tallest, smallest, most interesting.

7. Proper Adjectives: These adjectives are derived from proper nouns and often start with a capital letter. Example: American culture, Chinese cuisine, Shakespearean play.

 

 

Exercise Set 1: Identifying Adjectives:

 

      1. Identify the adjectives in the following sentences:

 

      1. Some oranges are sour.
      2. The ship sustained heavy damage.
      3. I have called Sam several times.
      4. The teacher called your name twice.
      5. Naomi won the second prize.
      6. I haven’t seen Mr Thomas for several days.
      7. The soldier died a glorious death.
      8. I had an eventful day.
      9. King Solomon was a wise king.
      10. Penny saw the accident with her own eyes.
      11. What colour shirt do you like?
      12. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
      13. The beautiful princess lived in a large castle.
      14. John has a new red car.
      15. The old man lives in a small wooden house.
      16. The fierce tiger roared loudly in the jungle.
      17. He is an excellent player.
      18. The tall girl won the race.
      19. The little child loves the colorful balloons.
      20. The rich man donated a large amount of money.
      21. The cold weather is making me shiver.
      22. The happy children played in the park.
      23. A big dog wagged its tail enthusiastically.
      24. The blue sky stretched endlessly above.
      25. A soft blanket kept her warm on the cold night.

 

Answers:

      1. Sour
      2. Heavy
      3. Several
      4. Twice
      5. Second
      6. Several
      7. Glorious
      8. Eventful
      9. Wise
      10. Own
      11. What
      12. Quick, brown, lazy
      13. Beautiful, large
      14. New, red
      15. Old, small, wooden
      16. Fierce, loudly
      17. Excellent
      18. Tall
      19. Little, colorful
      20. Rich, large
      21. Cold
      22. Happy
      23. Big
      24. Blue
      25. Soft

 

      1. Identify the adjective and mention its type in the following sentences:-

 

      1. The white pomeranian is very fluffy.
      2. The food was delicious.
      3. Whose pencil box is this?
      4. These apples are sweet.
      5. Shiv came second in the marathon.
      6. I saw it with my own eyes.
      7. What a splendid piece of art!
      8. Emily Bronte was a Victorian novelist.
      9. The Atlantic Ocean is the largest ocean in the world.
      10. Most children are playing.
      11. I did not find those books.
      12. Tom is a good runner.
      13. She bought some Italian shoes.
      14. The woman spent all her money.
      15. We have enough food for the trip.
      16. Reading books is an interesting activity.
      17. The cat didn’t drink any milk.
      18. There is no sugar left in the jar.
      19. Both girls were present at the meeting.
      20. This book is more interesting than the other one.
      21. The black cat is very fluffy.
      22. The cake was delicious.
      23. Which book is yours?
      24. These mangoes are very sweet.
      25. He came first in the race.

 

Answers:

      1. White- Adjective of Color, Fluffy – Adjective of Quality
      2. Delicious – Adjective of Quality
      3. Whose – Interrogative Adjective
      4. These- Demonstrative Adjective, Sweet – Adjective of Quality
      5. Second – Numeral Adjective
      6. Own – Emphasizing Adjective
      7. Splendid – Adjective of Quality
      8. Victorian – Proper Adjective
      9. Largest – Adjective of Quality
      10. Most – Numeral Adjective
      11. Those – Demonstrative Adjective
      12. Good – Adjective of Quality
      13. Italian – Proper Adjective
      14. All – Adjective of Quantity
      15. Enough – Adjective of Quantity
      16. Interesting – Adjective of Quality
      17. Any – Adjective of Quantity
      18. No – Adjective of Quantity
      19. Both – Distributive Adjective
      20. This – Demonstrative Adjective
      21. Fluffy – Adjective of Quality
      22. Delicious – Adjective of Quality
      23. Which – Interrogative Adjective
      24. Sweet – Adjective of Quality
      25. First – Numeral Adjective

 

 

Exercise Set 2: Comparative and Superlative Adjectives 

 

      1. Fill the following sentences with the appropriate form of adjectives: (Comparative or Superlative)

 

      1. My apartment is (small)________ than hers.
      2. The bouquet is (beautiful) ________ than the one kept on the table.
      3. This is the (comfortable)________ sofa I have ever used for sitting.
      4. Who is the(rich) ________ kid in the world?
      5. This is one of the(bad) ________ films that I have recently seen.
      6. He is one of the (powerful)________ persons in the nation.
      7. Shakespeare is known as one of the(great) ________ men in English Literature.
      8. Helen is a (good) ________ athlete of the two.
      9. The job offer is too(good) ________ for me.
      10. Healthy eaters usually live (long)________ than the non-healthy ones.
      11. Her performance was(good) ________ than I expected.
      12. This phone is (expensive) ________ than the one I currently have.
      13. He is the (smart) ________ student in the class.
      14. It was the (hot)________ day of the year.
      15. The city is(big) ________ than I imagined.
      16. This restaurant is(bad) ________ than the one we went to last week.
      17. She is the(talented)  ________ musician in the orchestra.
      18. This book is(interesting) ________ than the one I read yesterday.
      19. The car is (new) ________ than the one we used to own.
      20. The journey is (far) ________ than we thought.
      21. The exam was (easy) ________ than I anticipated.
      22. This dress is (pretty)________ than the one I saw at the store.
      23. It is the (cheap)________ option available.
      24. The mountain is (tall)________ than any other in the range.
      25. This plan is (efficient) ________ than the previous one.

 

Answers:

      1. smaller
      2. more beautiful
      3. most comfortable
      4. richest
      5. worst
      6. most powerful
      7. greatest
      8. better
      9. too good
      10. longer
      11. better
      12. more expensive
      13. smartest
      14. hottest
      15. bigger
      16. worse
      17. most talented
      18. more interesting
      19. newer
      20. farther
      21. easier
      22. prettier
      23. cheapest
      24. taller
      25. more efficient

 

Order of Adjectives: Rules and Guidelines

While combined to modify a noun, adjectives typically follow a particular hierarchy or order. Although there isn’t a rigid set of guidelines, speakers typically adhere to a natural order to guarantee speech that is clear and fluid. Adjectives typically appear in the following order:

      • Quantity or number: “three,” “many,” “some”
      • Quality or opinion: “beautiful,” “intelligent,” “interesting”
      • Size: “small,” “large,” “tiny”
      • Age:”old,” “young,” “ancient”
      • Shape: “round,” “square,” “rectangular”
      • Color: “red,” “blue,” “green”
      • Proper adjective (nationality, other place of origin, or material): “Italian,” “wooden,” “Japanese”
      • Noun (the thing being described): e.g., “house,” “car,” “book”

 

For example, “three beautiful small old round red Italian walking canes” would be used instead of “Italian three red walking old small beautiful round canes.” Although there is some flexibility in the sequence, speakers may find it awkward or confusing if there are significant deviations.

It’s crucial to remember that not all adjectives fall into each category, and certain adjectives might be classified in more than one. 

 

      1. Complete the sentences by arranging the given adjectives in the correct order:

 

      1. They have a cat. (fluffy / black / small)
      2. I bought a car. (new / silver / fast)
      3. We visited a city. (ancient / bustling / large)
      4. He adopted a dog. (friendly / brown / small)
      5. She wore a dress. (beautiful / floral / long)
      6. They have a garden. (colorful / small / well-maintained)
      7. I met a person. (interesting / tall / kind)
      8. We found a restaurant. (cozy / Italian / small)
      9. He owns a watch. (expensive / silver / elegant)
      10. She painted a picture. (vibrant / abstract / large)
      11. We visited a museum. (historical / interactive / modern)
      12. I read a book. (captivating / fiction / thick)
      13. They have a car. (old / reliable / blue)
      14. He owns a phone. (latest / sleek / powerful)
      15. She baked a cake. (delicious / chocolate / moist)
      16. I visited a park. (green / spacious / peaceful)
      17. They have a cat. (playful / orange / fluffy)
      18. We saw a movie. (exciting / action-packed / thrilling)
      19. She has a handbag. (stylish / leather / expensive)
      20. He bought a shirt. (striped / cotton / comfortable)
      21. I found a pen. (red / ballpoint / smooth)
      22. They own a house. (modern / spacious / suburban)
      23. She adopted a pet. (small / furry / rescued)
      24. We saw a sunset. (breathtaking / colorful / serene)
      25. He has a laptop. (sleek / portable / powerful)

 

Answers:

      1. They have a small black fluffy cat.
      2. I bought a fast silver new car.
      3. We visited a large ancient bustling city.
      4. He adopted a small brown friendly dog.
      5. She wore a long beautiful floral dress.
      6. They have a well-maintained small colorful garden.
      7. I met a kind, tall , interesting person.
      8. We found a small cozy Italian restaurant.
      9. He owns an elegant, expensive silver watch.
      10. She painted a large vibrant abstract picture.
      11. We visited a modern interactive historical museum.
      12. I read a thick captivating fiction book.
      13. They have a blue reliable old car.
      14. He owns a powerful sleek latest phone.
      15. She baked a moist delicious chocolate cake.
      16. I visited a peaceful green spacious park.
      17. They have a fluffy playful orange cat.
      18. We saw a thrilling action-packed exciting movie.

19.She has an expensive stylish leather handbag.

      1. He bought a comfortable striped cotton shirt.
      2. I found a smooth red ballpoint pen.
      3. They own a suburban spacious modern house.
      4. She adopted a rescued small furry pet.
      5. We saw a serene colorful breathtaking sunset.
      6. He has a powerful sleek portable laptop.

 

 

Common Challenges and Pitfalls:

      1. Overuse of Adjectives

In writing, using too many adjectives can be a common mistake because it can make a piece verbose and less impactful. Adjectives are necessary for vivid descriptions, but using too many of them can make sentences awkward to read and difficult to understand. The more adjectives there are in a sentence, the less impact each one has because they are fighting for the reader’s attention. Another issue is redundancy, which occurs when similar adjectives are repeated without adding to the body of knowledge. A surplus of adjectives can mask important information and cause a potential loss of meaning, which is why there is a lack of accuracy.  In order to overcome these obstacles, writers should place a high value on accuracy and applicability, making sure that every adjective adds something significant to the entire description while preserving clarity and interest.

 

      1. Incorrect Placement of Adjectives

The incorrect placement of adjectives poses a common challenge in writing, often resulting in changed meanings and possible confusion. In order to appropriately change the intended noun, adjective placement is crucial. Unintentional conclusions and ambiguity might result from this misplacement. For example, the emphasis and meaning of a sentence like “She wore a beautiful red dress” changes when the adjectives are rearranged to become “She wore a red beautiful dress.” The problem occurs when authors divert from the accepted adjective-noun sequence, disrupting the desired flow of information. While inappropriate placement might lead to misunderstandings or accidentally disclose details, proper arrangement of adjectives guarantees clear communication. In order to effectively convey the intended meaning and avoid any misinterpretations due to inappropriate adjective placement, writers should take care while constructing sentences.

Exercise Set 3: Choosing the appropriate Adjective

 

      1. Choose the correct adjective in each of the following sentences:

 

      1. The (later/latter) part of the movie is captivating.
      2. (Each/Every) student should submit their assignment by tomorrow.
      3. We must wait at home until (father/further) notice.
      4. We have (some/any) exciting news for all of you.
      5. He is my (older/elder) cousin.
      6. Have you read (some/any) interesting books lately?
      7. Kids saw (many/much) animals during the zoo visit.
      8. There is not (many/much) sugar in the coffee.
      9. There are (a few/little) chairs in the waiting area.
      10. Is there (some/any) water in the bottle?
      11. I have (less/little) patience for such matters.
      12. She has (less/little) trust in her colleagues.
      13. Do they have any (father/further) questions for the presenter?
      14. I have (fewer/lesser) responsibilities than before.
      15. I would need (fewer/less) resources for this project.
      16. The (later/latter) chapters of the book are more intriguing.
      17. (Each/Every) student must complete their homework by Friday.
      18. We need to wait at home until (father/further) notice.
      19. We have (some/any) fantastic news to share with you.
      20. (This/These) coat is too large for me.
      21. Have you seen (some/any) good movies recently?
      22. Kids observed (many/much) birds during the nature walk.
      23. There is not (many/much) sand on the beach.
      24. There are (a few/little) chairs in the conference room.
      25. Is there (some/any) coffee in the pot?

 

Answers:

 

      1. later
      2. Each
      3. further
      4. some
      5. elder
      6. any
      7. many
      8. much
      9. a few
      10. some
      11. little
      12. little
      13. further
      14. lesser
      15. fewer
      16. later
      17. Every
      18. further
      19. some
      20. This
      21. any
      22. many
      23. much
      24. a few
      25. some

 

      1. Dialogue completion 

Complete the following dialogues with appropriate adjectives:

 

Dialogue1: Planning a Weekend Getaway

Person A: “Hey, have you thought about our ___________ weekend getaway? I was thinking of exploring a picturesque place with breathtaking landscapes and ___________ activities.”

Person B: “That sounds exciting! I’m envisioning ___________ accommodations and exquisite dining options. What about including ___________ experiences like guided excursions?”

Person A: “Absolutely! Let’s meet at the ___________ café tomorrow to finalize our plans and choose ideal destinations.”

 

Answer:

Person A: “Hey, have you thought about our upcoming weekend getaway? I was thinking of exploring a picturesque place with breathtaking landscapes and adventurous activities.”

Person B: “That sounds exciting! I’m envisioning luxurious accommodations and exquisite dining options. What about including memorable experiences like guided excursions?”

Person A: “Absolutely! Let’s meet at the cozy café tomorrow to finalize our plans and choose ideal destinations.”

 

Dialogue 2 : Selecting a gift for a friend’s birthday

Person A: “I’m thinking of getting a thoughtful gift for Sarah’s birthday. How about finding an elegant item that reflects her ___________ style and complements her diverse interests?”

Person B: “That’s a great idea! Maybe we can consider ___________ accessories or even innovative gadgets that match her eclectic preferences. What about something ___________ and ___________?”

Person A: “Perfect! Let’s meet at the mall tomorrow to explore various stores and pick ___________ presents for her special day.”

 

Answer:

Person A: “I’m thinking of getting a thoughtful gift for Sarah’s birthday. How about finding an elegant item that reflects her unique style and complements her diverse interests?”

Person B: “That’s a great idea! Maybe we can consider trendy accessories or even innovative gadgets that match her eclectic preferences. What about something personalized and meaningful?”

Person A: “Perfect! Let’s meet at the mall tomorrow to explore various stores and pick the best presents for her special day.”

 

Dialogue 3: Planning a surprise anniversary dinner

Person A: “I want to organize an anniversary dinner for my parents. I’m thinking of reserving a restaurant with a ___________ ambiance and delectable cuisine.”

Person B: “That’s a lovely idea! We can consider elegant decorations and arrange for live ____ music to enhance the ___________ atmosphere. What about ___________ flowers as well?”

Person A: “Great suggestions! Let’s meet at the café tomorrow to discuss the menu and finalize all the  ___________ details for the special evening.”

 

Answer:

Person A: “I want to organize an anniversary dinner for my parents. I’m thinking of reserving a restaurant with a cozy ambiance and delectable cuisine.”

Person B: “That’s a lovely idea! We can consider elegant decorations and arrange for live classical music to enhance the romantic atmosphere. What about fresh flowers as well?”

Person A: “Great suggestions! Let’s meet at the  café tomorrow to discuss the menu and finalize all the intricate details for the special evening.”

 

Dialogue 4: Choosing a wedding venue

Person A: “Planning a dreamy wedding is overwhelming. I’m looking for an ___________ venue with ___________ architecture and serene surroundings.”

Person B: “I understand. Consider a location with panoramic views and modern facilities. It should have ___________ spaces for both the ceremony and reception. What about ___________ catering options?”

Person A: “Good point! Let’s meet at the spacious event hall tomorrow to discuss the details and book the ___________ date.”

 

Answer:

Person A: “Planning a dreamy wedding is overwhelming. I’m looking for an elegant venue with beautiful architecture and serene surroundings.”

Person B: “I understand. Consider a location with panoramic views and modern facilities. It should have versatile spaces for both the ceremony and reception. What about flexible catering options?”

Person A: “Good point! Let’s meet at the spacious event hall tomorrow to discuss the details and book the perfect date.”

 

Dialogue 5: Planning a summer vacation

Person A: “I want to plan an exciting summer vacation this year. Let’s find a ___________ destination with ___________ beaches and adventurous activities for the whole family.”

Person B: “Sounds like a fantastic idea! We should consider luxurious accommodations with breathtaking views. What about exploring ___________ and ___________ attractions in the area?”

Person A: “Great suggestions! Let’s meet at the cozy cafe next week to finalize our plans and book the ___________ tickets for the vacation.”

 

Answer:

Person A: “I want to plan an exciting summer vacation this year. Let’s find a tropical destination with stunning beaches and adventurous activities for the whole family.”

Person B: “Sounds like a fantastic idea! We should consider luxurious accommodations with breathtaking views. What about exploring local and historical attractions in the area?”

Person A: “Great suggestions! Let’s meet at the cozy cafe next week to finalize our plans and book the best tickets for the vacation.”

 

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, adjectives are essential for clear and expressive communication since they provide our language depth and nuance. The exercises provided insightful information about the various purposes of adjectives, highlighting how they shape meaning, allow for comparisons, and provide a flexible palette for clear and effective expression. Adjectives must be arranged and placed correctly to ensure clarity and avoid unintentional meaning shifts. The exercises emphasized the need of finding a balance and avoiding pitfalls such as overuse of adjectives as we worked through the process of recognizing, categorizing, and choosing adjectives. In the end, intelligent adjective usage enables people to craft captivating stories in both official writing and casual speech.

 

Also See :

Exercises of Tenses

Exercises on Prepositions

Exercises of Articles

Exercises of Simple Present Tense