Adjectives

Articles (Determiner)

Words that basically determine definite or indefinite nature of the object/subject.

• If the object/subject is definite (specific), use the (both singular and plural).
• If the object/subject is indefinite (in general), use a/an for singular; some for plural.

A/An Selection

When selecting the a/an, look for vocal (**SOUND**) vowel changes (not the writing). They must sounded vowel in order to use the an like:

• a - (aehhhh)
• e - (ehhh)
• i - (iiiii)
• o - (orhhhh, oouu)
• u - (unn)

Examples

• a box
• an apple
• a union (sound: y-ieu-nion)
• an underwater boat (sound: unn-derwater)
• a universal (sound: y-ieu-niversal)
• an hour ago (sound: oouu-our)

Adverb

Verbs which modify anything that isn't a noun; like verb / adjective. Usually by adding +ly to the adverb. Examples:

• Greyson ran.
• Greyson ran slowly.
• Vanessa was very hungry.
• Lucy was cheerfully jumping.

Relative Adverbs

Question words being used for linking multiple sentences under the same references (place, time, reason, person) instead of asking question. They are:

• Place - Where
• Time - When, While
• Reason - Why, Wherefore
• Person - Who

Examples

• That is the cave where I grew up.
  • Location
    • That is the cave.
    • I grew up in that cave.
• I learned to breath fire when I was 10 years old.
  • Time
    • I was 10 years old.
    • I learn to breath fire at that time.
• I don't know why I've been feeling sick.
  • Reason
    • I've been feeling sick.
    • I don't know the cause of my sickness.
• I don't remember why I bought this coat.
  • Reason
    • I bought this coat for a reason.
    • I don't remember the reason.

Adjective Order

For multiple adjectives on a single subject/object, there is an order to comply. You need to arrange your adjectives in the sentence according to the order of DOSA-SCOMP:

1. Determiner - the, a, an
2. Opinion - ugly, broken, rusty, cool
3. Size - big, enormous, small, tiny, compact
4. Age - antique, old, new, mature
5. Shape - square, circle, spiky
6. Color - blue, red, colorless
7. Origin - English, Chinese, American
8. Material - leather, stone, marble
9. Purpose - pen (holder), mining (factory), riding (seat)

When to use Comma

When there are more than 1 adjective in the same order. 3 steps to determine:

1. Are the adjectives falls in the same order of any DOSA-SCOMP?
   1. Yes - use comma
2. Try reverse their position.
   1. If they're all fitting, they're coordinated adjective - use comma
3. Stick an "and" between them
   1. If they are agreeable - use comma

Usual quantity in native speaking

• not more than 3.

Examples

• The ugly big antique circle blue English leather pen holder.
  • technically correct; it just overly descriptive
• The ugly English pen holder.
  • common use
• The ugly, broken big antique circle blue English leather pen holder.
  • technically correct; with comma if multiple adjectives exist in the same order
• The ugly, broken big pen holder.
  • technically correct; both ugly and broken are from opinion in DOSA-SCOMP.
• The ugly (opinion) big (size) pen (purpose) holder.
  • technically correct; ugly is opinion, big is size, pen is purpose in DOSA-SCOMP. No comma usage since they are one from each orders.

Comparative and Superlative

Words that provide an illustration of adjective's intensity, meant for comparing or denoting its super nature. To form these words:

Word that is 1 syllabus, end with vowel "e"

Add a r or est (+r, +est)

• Descriptive - cute
• Comparative - cuter
• Superlative - cutest

Word that is 1 syllabus, 1 vowel, end with 1 consonant

Multiply the consonant by 2, then add a er or est (+er, +est)

• Descriptive - big
• Comparative - bigger
• Superlative - biggest

Word that is 1 syllabus and 2 vowels / 2 consonants ending

add a er or est (+er, +est)

• Descriptive - short, sweet
• Comparative - shorter, sweeter
• Superlative - shortest, sweetest

Word that is 2 syllabuses / end with y

change y to i (y ➔ i), then add a er or est (+er, +est)

• Descriptive - shiny
• Comparative - shinier
• Superlative - shiniest

Word that has 2 or more syllabuses and not ending with y

Use more / most

• Descriptive: magnificent
• Comparative: more magnificent
• Superlative: most magnificent

Comparing to the lesser side

Use less / least

• Descriptive: happy
• Comparative: less happy
• Superlative: least happy

Examples

• Cesar is a happy penguin.
• Raul is happier than Cesar. (Raul > Cesar)
• Cesar is less happy than Raul. (Cesar < Raul)
• Gabriela is the happiest penguin. (Gabriela > Raul > Cesar)

Intensifier and Adverbs of Degree

Words that intensify or show the degree of effect for an adjective.

Commonly used words: really, very, extremely, incredibly, somewhat, barely, too, just in-time, hardly, nearly, ...

Examples

• An interesting topic.
• A really interesting topic.
• An incredibly interesting topic.
• A extremely interesting topic.
• The incredibly deadly viper.
• The somewhat deadly viper.
• The barely deadly viper.

Checklist for Review Adjectives

1. Is there any adjective in the sentence?
   1. Is that the intended adjective (the modified meaning is complying to context)?
   2. What is the adjective applied to? (subject/object)
   3. Is the location of the adjective makes sense?
2. Is the adjective complying to DOSA-SCOMP order?
   1. If there are multiple adjectives, are the complying to the comma rules? (comma when there is >2 in the same order)
   2. Is the subject/object overly descriptive? (more than 3 adjectives)
3. If the adjective is a determiner adverb (the/a/an)
   1. Is it definite? (the)
   2. When it is indefinite (a/an), is it determined by sound vowel instead of writing?
      1. Writing - correct it by determine the sound.
4. If there is a relative adverb, is the linking context agrees to both meanings? (Place, Time, Person, Reason)
   1. Can the sentence be broken into 2 independent sentences with clear linking context?