PPT: Adjectives/Adverbs | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT PDF Download

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Adjectives and 
Adverbs
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Adjectives and 
Adverbs
Adjectives
A d j ec tiv es are descriptive words that describe nouns in context. They typically answer questions like 
"which," "what kind of," and "how many." These words add specificity and detail to our descriptions.
For example, when we say "the little boy," "a ne w toy," or " enough meatloaf," the bolded words are 
adjectives that provide additional information about the nouns they modify.
Function
Adjectives describe or 
modify nouns and pronouns, 
adding detail and specificity 
to our language.
Position
They typically appear 
before the noun they modify 
or after linking verbs.
Questions Answered
Adjectives answer questions 
like "which one," "what kind," 
"how many," or "how much."
Page 3


Adjectives and 
Adverbs
Adjectives
A d j ec tiv es are descriptive words that describe nouns in context. They typically answer questions like 
"which," "what kind of," and "how many." These words add specificity and detail to our descriptions.
For example, when we say "the little boy," "a ne w toy," or " enough meatloaf," the bolded words are 
adjectives that provide additional information about the nouns they modify.
Function
Adjectives describe or 
modify nouns and pronouns, 
adding detail and specificity 
to our language.
Position
They typically appear 
before the noun they modify 
or after linking verbs.
Questions Answered
Adjectives answer questions 
like "which one," "what kind," 
"how many," or "how much."
Types of Adjectives
Adjectives can be classified into three main types based on their position in relation to the words they modify.
1
Attributive
These adjectives come right 
before the word(s) they 
modify. For example: The old 
man asked a question. That is 
a good book. I found an old, 
black, cotton sweater.
2
Appositive
These adjectives come after 
the words they modify and 
are usually used in pairs. For 
example: The woman, 
beautiful and smart, knew 
what she was doing. The 
winner, tired but happy, 
waved and smiled.
3
Predicate
These adjectives come after 
the verb "to be" or after 
linking verbs. They appear at 
the end of the sentence and 
modify the subject. For 
example: The tickets are 
expensive. She looked old. 
The oven felt hot. He was 
young and shy.
Page 4


Adjectives and 
Adverbs
Adjectives
A d j ec tiv es are descriptive words that describe nouns in context. They typically answer questions like 
"which," "what kind of," and "how many." These words add specificity and detail to our descriptions.
For example, when we say "the little boy," "a ne w toy," or " enough meatloaf," the bolded words are 
adjectives that provide additional information about the nouns they modify.
Function
Adjectives describe or 
modify nouns and pronouns, 
adding detail and specificity 
to our language.
Position
They typically appear 
before the noun they modify 
or after linking verbs.
Questions Answered
Adjectives answer questions 
like "which one," "what kind," 
"how many," or "how much."
Types of Adjectives
Adjectives can be classified into three main types based on their position in relation to the words they modify.
1
Attributive
These adjectives come right 
before the word(s) they 
modify. For example: The old 
man asked a question. That is 
a good book. I found an old, 
black, cotton sweater.
2
Appositive
These adjectives come after 
the words they modify and 
are usually used in pairs. For 
example: The woman, 
beautiful and smart, knew 
what she was doing. The 
winner, tired but happy, 
waved and smiled.
3
Predicate
These adjectives come after 
the verb "to be" or after 
linking verbs. They appear at 
the end of the sentence and 
modify the subject. For 
example: The tickets are 
expensive. She looked old. 
The oven felt hot. He was 
young and shy.
The Order of Adjectives
When multiple adjectives modify the same word, they typically follow a specific order in English. 
This sequence helps sentences flow naturally and sound correct to native speakers.
Opinion
What we think 
(lovely, beautiful, 
intelligent, nice, 
fine...)
Size & Age
Size (small, big, 
large, short, tall...) 
followed by age 
(young, old...)
Shape & Color
Shape (round, 
slim, fat, square...) 
followed by color 
(white, green, 
red...)
Origin & Material
Material (plastic, 
glass, wooden...) 
and origin 
(German, Russian, 
American...)
Examples: A nice big house. A big square table. A lovely little town. An old plastic pipe. An 
expensive Scotch whiskey. A tall young woman. Intelligent young Danish scientist.
Page 5


Adjectives and 
Adverbs
Adjectives
A d j ec tiv es are descriptive words that describe nouns in context. They typically answer questions like 
"which," "what kind of," and "how many." These words add specificity and detail to our descriptions.
For example, when we say "the little boy," "a ne w toy," or " enough meatloaf," the bolded words are 
adjectives that provide additional information about the nouns they modify.
Function
Adjectives describe or 
modify nouns and pronouns, 
adding detail and specificity 
to our language.
Position
They typically appear 
before the noun they modify 
or after linking verbs.
Questions Answered
Adjectives answer questions 
like "which one," "what kind," 
"how many," or "how much."
Types of Adjectives
Adjectives can be classified into three main types based on their position in relation to the words they modify.
1
Attributive
These adjectives come right 
before the word(s) they 
modify. For example: The old 
man asked a question. That is 
a good book. I found an old, 
black, cotton sweater.
2
Appositive
These adjectives come after 
the words they modify and 
are usually used in pairs. For 
example: The woman, 
beautiful and smart, knew 
what she was doing. The 
winner, tired but happy, 
waved and smiled.
3
Predicate
These adjectives come after 
the verb "to be" or after 
linking verbs. They appear at 
the end of the sentence and 
modify the subject. For 
example: The tickets are 
expensive. She looked old. 
The oven felt hot. He was 
young and shy.
The Order of Adjectives
When multiple adjectives modify the same word, they typically follow a specific order in English. 
This sequence helps sentences flow naturally and sound correct to native speakers.
Opinion
What we think 
(lovely, beautiful, 
intelligent, nice, 
fine...)
Size & Age
Size (small, big, 
large, short, tall...) 
followed by age 
(young, old...)
Shape & Color
Shape (round, 
slim, fat, square...) 
followed by color 
(white, green, 
red...)
Origin & Material
Material (plastic, 
glass, wooden...) 
and origin 
(German, Russian, 
American...)
Examples: A nice big house. A big square table. A lovely little town. An old plastic pipe. An 
expensive Scotch whiskey. A tall young woman. Intelligent young Danish scientist.
Present and Past Participles as Adjectives
-ING Adjectives (Cause)
These describe what causes a feeling or effect:
Boring - Causes boredom
Tiring - Causes tiredness
Interesting - Draws attention
Example: He is b o r i n g. I don't want to be with him 
because he is a boring person.
-ED Adjectives (Effect)
These describe the feeling or effect experienced:
Bored - Result of boredom
Tired - Result of tiredness
Interested - Feeling attention
Example: He is b o r e d with his job. Because his job is 
boring (at least to him), it caused him to be bored.
Other verb roots that can become adjectives by adding -ed or -ing include: charm, admire, amaze, amuse, 
depress, worry, thrill, excite, disgust, disappoint, discourage, embarrass, fascinate, frighten, frustrate, horrify, 
irritate, please, satisfy, shock, startle, stimulate, surprise, terrify, confuse.