Understanding Adjectives

In this lesson, students will learn about adjectives and how to recognize them in sentences. They will have a worksheet that I have included in this lesson.

To begin with, you need to copy the worksheet, so that each student will have a copy to work on independently. After that, you need to explain about adjectives. Then, you will pass out the worksheets. When the students have completed the worksheet, you can collect them and grade them.

Study Sheet - Adjectives

An adjective describes a noun.

Let’s look at this example

The red ball went into the yard. Red is the adjective. It describes the noun, ball.

Kinds of Adjectives

There are three kinds of adjectives: Demonstrative, Common, and Proper.

Demonstrative

Demonstrative adjectives are words such as this, that, these, and those. When you see demonstrative adjectives in sentences, they will answer the question which one.

Let’s look at this example: “Jenny will you place those books on the bookshelf?” her teacher asked.

The word “those” answers the question: Which one or ones?

You want to find out what books Jenny is to place on the bookshelf.

Common Adjectives

Common adjectives are words that describe nouns.

Let’s look at this example:

Christy read her favorite mystery book before she went to bed.

Common adjectives in this sentence are her, favorite, and mystery. These words describe book.

Proper Adjectives

Proper adjectives are like proper nouns. You always capitalize proper adjectives.

Let’s look at this example:

I prefer to eat Swiss cheese with my ham sandwiches.

Swiss is a proper adjective. It describes cheese.

Comparing Adjectives

You can also compare adjectives.

Let’s look at these examples: Small, smaller, and smallest

You use the word small when you talk about one person, place, or thing.

He is small for his age.

When you compare two people, places, or things, you use the word smaller.

Christy’s doll is smaller than Megan’s doll.

When you compare more than two, you use the word smallest.

This doll is the smallest of the three.

Predicate Adjectives

Predicate Adjectives follow the linking verb, but they describe the noun.

Let’s look at this example:

The mountain was huge. The word huge describes mountain.

Worksheet on Adjectives

Part One

Directions: Underline each adjective and mark common, proper, or demonstrative above each word.

1. Megan likes to read Christian mystery books.

2. Christy and Megan like to write in their journals before they go to bed.

3. Sadey, who is a Chihuahua, likes to play with Cassie, who is a Cocker Spaniel.

4. The basketball player made a three point score just seconds before the end of the game and won.

5. The freshman football player made three touchdowns during the game.

6. Megan published her first mystery novel.

7. Christy was two inches shorter than Megan was.

8. Sadey ran faster than Cassie did.

9. Christy, Megan, and Susie ran a race. Susie ran the fastest and won.

10. Christy and Megan like eating grilled ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches for lunch.

11. Bill ran faster than Ron, but Jim ran the fastest.

12. Susie and Julie played hide and seek with Christy and Megan.

Part Two

Directions: You are to rewrite the following sentences by adding adjectives that describe the nouns.

1. The girl played.

2. The boy ran a race.

3. Megan read a book.

4. Christy wrote in her journal.

5. Sadey chased Cassie.

6. Christy and Megan walked outside.

7. The player won the game.

8. The dog dashed through the door.

9. Megan likes sandwiches.

10. Christy likes to eat cake.

11. The team lost the game.

12. Susie and Julie like to watch television.

13. Timmy and Susie’s parents bought a house.

14. Christy ran fast.

15. Megan ran faster.

You can grade the students on the total number correct out of the total number possible.