Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

Adjective

PP 12-2a

An adjective is a word that modifies (describes) a noun or a pronoun.Several adjectives often appear in one sentence.More than one adjective may describe the same noun or pronoun.

Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

Adjective

PP 12-2b

An adjective answers these questions:

What kind? green, old, round, strongWhich one? this, that, these, those How many? two, few, 300, two-thirds, all, someWhose? hers, Maria’s, companies’

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Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

Limiting Adjectives

PP 12-3

Indicate how many.May be numbers or words.

We must wait six weeks for the new chairs.Lisa charges a $200 consulting fee.

Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

Descriptive Adjectives Before Nouns

PP 12-4

Answer the question What kind?Usually precede nouns or follow linking verbs.

We request sealed bids for the workstation estimates.Back disorders may result from poor posture.

Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

Descriptive Adjectives After Linking Verbs

PP 12-5

Modify nouns or pronouns used as subjects.Act as complements (predicate adjectives).

Proper office lighting is important.The noise in this office seems excessive.

Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

Proper Adjectives

PP 12-7

Proper adjectives are proper nouns or words derived from proper nouns that function as adjectives. They answer the question which?

We selected the Italian desk lamps.

Capitalize most proper adjectives as you would proper nouns.

Shelly recommends a light blue venetian blind.

Do not capitalize proper adjectives when they lose their connections with the proper nouns from which they were derived.

Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

Guidelines for Using A or An

PP 12-9a

The initial sound (not the first letter) of the word that follows an article determines whether you will use a or an.

Use a before words beginning with a consonant sound. a chair a desk a telephone

Use a before words beginning with the long sound of u.a university a union a uniform

Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

Guidelines for Using A or An

PP 12-9b

Use an before words beginning with the vowel sounds a, e, i, o, and the short sound of u.an asset an outcomean unfortunate accident an estimate Use an before words beginning with silent h. an honest sales staff an hour agoan honor

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Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

The Article The

PP 12-10

Use with singular or plural nouns.Place before any other adjective when two or more adjectives precede a noun.

Take short rest breaks throughout the day.The indoor air quality of the building is excellent.The most well-known category of CTD is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Business English at Work

AdjectivesAdjectives

That’s All about Adjectives!

Now, it’s your turn to practice. Complete page 10 in your workbook.

Great job!