Using adjectives

Adjectives are describing words. Adjectives usually go before the nouns they modify (attributive position). They can also go after the verb be (predicative position). Note that most adjectives can go in both positions.

Study the example sentences given below.

The flowers are red. (Predicative position)

These are red flowers. (Attributive position)

The car is expensive. (Predicative position)

It is an expensive car.

Exercise

Read the following sentences. In all of them, the adjectives are in the predicative position. Change them into the attributive position by rewriting the sentence. Note that the second sentence in the sequence should begin with a pronoun. You will also need to supply a suitable article.

1. The necklace was expensive. …………………………………………………………….

2. The question was tough. …………………………………………………………..

3. The flowers are fresh. …………………………………………………………..

4. The experience was enjoyable. …………………………………………………..

5. The job was tedious. ………………………………………………

6. The memory was painful. ………………………………………………..

7. The woman is experienced. …………………………………………….

8. The workmen are skilled. ………………………………………………..

9. The development was unexpected. ……………………………………………

10. The decision was foolish. …………………………………………………

Answers

1. It was an expensive necklace.

2. It was a tough question.

3. They are fresh flowers.

4. It was an enjoyable experience.

5. It was a tedious job.

6. It was a painful memory.

7. She is an experienced woman.

8. They are skilled workmen.

9. It was an unexpected development.

10. It was a foolish decision.