Free Grammar Help—Words—Adjective Types
By Peter J. Francis, HGPublishing Editor
Definition: Adjectives are words that modify nouns.
Adjectives are one of the 8 parts of speech. There are actually several types of adjectives. Adjectives can be possessive, demonstrative, interrogative, or indefinite. Below are some examples of types of adjectives.
Possessive Adjectives
Possessive adjectives are like possessive pronouns, but act as adjectives. They are: my, your, its, our, and their. They answer the question of whose object it is. The possessive adjectives are in red. The nouns they modify are in blue.
It is my ball.
We are going to her home.
I am playing his computer game.
Can I pet your dog?
We love our new car.
Demonstrative Adjectives
Demonstrative Adjectives are identical to demonstrative pronouns, but are used for a different purpose. Remember it is the function of the word that defines what kind of word it is in terms of the parts of speech. The demonstrative adjectives are: this, that, those, and what. In the following sentences the demonstrative adjectives are in red and the nouns they modify are in blue.
Take this job and shove it.
I love that new dress.
Who are those people?
I don't know what investment you made.
Interrogative Adjectives
Another type of adjective is the interrogative adjective. Interrogative adjectives include the words which and what. In the following sentences the interrogative adjectives are in red and the nouns they modify are in blue.
Which company do you want to invest in?
What bank do you trust with your money?
Indefinite Adjectives
Our final type of adjective is the indefinite adjective. What is an indefinite adjective? Well, I can't be definite about it. OK, let's see. It's an adjective that's not definite. Too vague? How about a word like "some" or "many." Getting clearer?
Some people wanted to buy stocks.
Many people wanted to buy bonds.
A few people wanted to buy gold.
Why indefinite? Because it's not exactly clear how many or who.