The adjective is used in several ways. The principal ways are described below.

(a) It may be added directly to a noun; that is, it may be added without the help of any word.

This is a beautiful day. See that tall graceful elm. The red apple is a Jonathan.

An adjective used as a direct adjunct sometimes comes after the noun; thus, The girl, happy and radiant, went on her way. If the adjective has a phrase adjunct, it is generally in this position; thus, The prairie, bright with flowers, stretched away in every direction.

(6) It may be used as a predicate attribute; that is, it may be added to the subject indirectly by means of a verb or verb phrase; thus, She has been happy, She became silent, Pale grows the evening red.

An adjective so used is generally joined to the subject by a copulative verb or verb phrase; but sometimes it is a second predicate attribute after an attributive verb or verb phrase; thus, She went away very hopeful.

(c) It may be used as a predicate attribute of the object; thus, She rubbed the glasses dry. He is getting the house ready.

(d) It may be added to a noun or pronoun by a verbal of a copulative verb; thus, She, being busy, did not notice the confusion.

Exercise 107

Select the adjectives and tell how each is used.

1. The delicate fronds of the fern were more graceful than flowers.

2. You will make her discontented.

3. The friendly cow, all red and white, I love with all my heart.

4. The children, tired but happy, soon fell asleep.

5. This coffee tastes bitter.

6. The pleasant summer is over.

7. The people there are very cordial.

8. She seemed to be generous.

9. Dark brown is the river.

10. He admired the garden, gorgeous with flowers.

11. Being tired, I did not go to the concert.

12. They pumped the well dry.

13. Your dog appears very friendly.

14. Our band is few, but true and tried.

15. The storm turned the milk sour.

16. The woman suddenly turned faint.

17. Her face grew suddenly white.

18. Here is the hoe.

19. A very few friends make the wide world populous to us.

Exercise 108. Word Studies

1. Write sentences in which you use these adjectives to describe some tree, flower, or plant. Show that you know the meaning of the words.

dainty.

coarse.

tender.

showy.

brilliant.

rugged.

gorgeous.

delicate.

hardy.

drooping.

graceful.

perennial.

stately.

slender.

gnarled.

prolific.

sturdy.

annual.

scarlet.

rose.

crimson.

magenta.

stiff.

symmetrical.

2. Write a set of adjectives to describe George Washington or some favorite hero.

3. Write a set of adjectives that may be used to describe expressions of persons' faces.

Exercise 109. Adjectives Often Misused

The following adjectives are often used with a wrong meaning. Some are used in a slang sense. Find out the real meaning of each and use them correctly in sentences.

awful, funny, bad, nice, ugly, mean, splendid, dandy, grand, sweet, horrid, lovely, healthy, healthful, lovely, great.