ADJECTIVE

Adjective: A word used to express the quality, quantity, number and in point out the person or thing is regarded as an adjective.

Two types of uses: These are two uses of every adjective namely:

Attributive use
Predicative use

1. Attributive use; An adjective used with a noun is known as attributive use.

Ex: Beautiful girl
Clever student
Tall tree
Fair face
Worrying problem
Nice book
Lovely flower
Large building

2. Predicative use: An adjective used with a verb is known as predicative use.

Ex: She is afraid

He is alive

They are dead

He looked happy

Kinds of adjectives: Adjectives are divided into ten types namely:

Adjective of Quality
Adjective of Quantity
Adjective of Number
Demonstrative Adjective
Distributive Adjective
Interrogative Adjective
Possessive Adjective
Emphasizing Adjective
Exclamatory Adjective
Proper Adjective

1. Adjective of Quality: An adjective used to talk about the quality of a person or thing is known as attributive of Quality.

Ex: The Yoruba is a regional language.

He is wealthy person.

Rigasa is an industrial city.

2. Adjective of Quantity: An adjective used to talk about the quantity of things is known as Adjective of Quantity.

Ex: little, much, enough, no, any, whole, some, all, great, half, sufficient.

Ex: There is a little milk in the jug.

My father earned enough money.

He showed much courage in the war.

3. Adjective of Number: An adjective used to talk about the number of things or persons is known as Adjective of Number.

Ex: five, few, no, many, all, some, most, several, first, any, one

Ex: She wrote six papers for her B.A.

Only a few people are kind to he poor.

I got first class in my B.A

All students passed in the exam.

4. Demonstrative Adjective: An adjective used to point out which person or thing we speak about is known as demonstrative adjective.

Ex: this, that, these, such

Ex: this book is very interesting.

That girl is very beautiful.

These flowers are lovely.

5. Distributive Adjective: An adjective used to refer to each and every person or thing separately is known as Distributive Adjective.

Ex: each, every, either, neither, any, none, both

Ex: Each boy was awarded a diploma.

Every Nigeria is entitled to adult franchise.

Every citizen should love his mother land.

Neither party has got majority in the recent elections.

Neither country accepted the treaty.

6. Interrogative Adjective: An adjective used to question is known as interrogative Adjective.

Ex: what, which, whose.

Ex: What advice shall I give you?

What language do you teach at college?

Which places do you wish to visit?

Which poet do you like most?

Whose photograph is this?

Whose hand writing is this?

On whose recommendation did you apply for this post?

7. Possessive Adjective: An adjective used to talk about ownership or possession is known as possessive Adjective.

Ex: my, your, our, his, her, its, their.

Ex: My mother is a teacher.

Your father is a doctor.

Our country is Nigeria.

Her husband died in an accident.

All their daughters were married last year.

8. Emphasizing Adjective: An adjective used to emphasize a noun is known as Emphasizing Adjective.

Ex: own, very

Ex: I saw it with my own eyes.

That was the very book I was looking for.

9. Exclamatory Adjective: The word 'what ' is known as an Exclamatory Adjective.

Ex: What

Ex: What a beauty! What an insult! What a tragedy!

10. Proper Adjective: An adjective derived from a proper name is known as a proper Adjective.

Ex: Nigerian army

American president

English grammar

Russian parliament

Notes:

1. Adjective of Quality answer the question of what kind

Ex: He is a brave person. [What kind of person? Brave]

2. Adjective of Quantity answers the question how much

Ex: I earned enough money. [How much money? Enough]

She gained much experience. [How much experience? Much]

3. Distributive adjective refers to each person or thing.

Ex: She come every day.

I want to read every book.

4. Demonstrative adjective point out a particular person or thing or answers the question which

Ex: these mangoes are tasty. [Which mangoes? These]

These books are very interesting. ]Which books? Those]

5. Possessive adjective answers the question whose

Ex: This is my house. [whose house? My house]

Pamela is her daughter. [Whose daughter? Her daughter]

6. Interrogative adjective makes a question.

Ex: What books do you prefer?

To which state do you belong?

7. What is used in general sense and which in a selective sense

Ex: What language can you speak well? [General Sense]

Which student do you like most? [Selective Sense]

8. Adjective of number question how many

Ex: I met several times. [How many times? Several times]

We have two hands. [How many hands? Two hands]

9. A cardinal denotes how many

Ex: She has three sons. [How many sons? Three sons]

10. An ordinal denotes the order of things.

Ex: He got first prize.

She failed second time.

He is the last person in the interview.

11. Define numeral adjective tells the exact number and the indefinite numeral adjective tells the inexact number.

Ex: A hand has first fingers. [Five = exact number]

I visited many places. [Many = several–inexact number]

A. COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

Every adjective has three Degree of Comparison:

Positive Degree
Comparative Degree
Superlative Degree

1. Positive Degree: An adjective used to talk about the quality of a person, place or thing is known as positive degree.

Ex: good, fat, heavy, clever, brave, beautiful, handsome, healthy, wealthy, poor, rich.

Ex: She is a beautiful girl.

He is a brave man.

2. Comparative Degree: An adjective used to compare two persons or things or the qualities is known as comparative degree.

Ex: better than, fatter than, heavier than, cleverer than, more beautiful than, handsomer than, healthier than, wealthier than

Ex: She is more beautiful than her sister.

He is braver than his brother.

3. Superlative Degree: An adjective used to talk about comparing more than two persons or things or their qualities is known as the superlative degree.

Ex: the best, the fattest, the heaviest, the cleverest, the bravest,

Ex: She is the most beautiful of all her sisters.

He is the bravest of all his brothers.

Notes:

1. Than is added in the comparative degree.

Ex: She is cleverer than her mother.

2. The definite article the is placed in the superlative degree.

Ex: She is the cleverest in the class.

B. FORMATION OF COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

1. Most adjectives form their comparative degree by adding 'er' and their superlative by 'est' to the positive.

positive	Comparative	Superlative
tell	taller	tallest
thick	thicker	thickest
short	shorter	shortest
kind	kinder	kindest

2. When the positive ends With 'e', only 'r' and 'st' are added to form the comparative and superlative.

positive	Comparative	Superlative
brave	braver	bravest
large	larger	largest
wise	wiser	wisest
fine	finer	finest

3. When the positive ends with 'y' and has a consonant before it 'y' is change into 'i' and 'er' and 'est' are added.

positive	Comparative	Superlative
happy	happier	happiest
heavy	heavier	heaviest
lazy	lazier	laziest

4. Sometimes the last letter of the positive is double and 'er' and 'est' are added.

positive	Comparative	Superlative
fat	fatter	fattest
hot	hotter	hottest
sad	sadder	saddest
thin	thinner	thinnest

5. Some adjective form their comparative and superlative by adding 'more' and 'most' before them

positive	Comparative	Superlative
beautiful	more beautiful	most beautiful
courageous	more courageous	most courageous
dangerous	more dangerous	most dangerous
faithful	more faithful	most faithful

C. IRREGULAR COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVES
Some adjective have no fixed rules to foem their Comparative and Superlative forms. such adjective forms are known as irregular forms.
Note: They are best learnt by heart.
irregular foems are best of adjective

positive	Comparative	Superlative
good, well	better	best
bad, evil, ill	worse	worst
little	less, lessee	least
much	more	most
many	more	most
late	later, latter	latest, last
far	farther	farthest
fore	further	furthest
in	inner	innermost, inmost
up	upper	uppermost, up most
top	topper	topmost, toppest
hind	hinder	hindmost, hindmost

Note: Adjective which have two forms have two meanings.
D. THE CORRECT USE OF SOME ADJECTIVES

exterior	interior	minor
former	major	letter
upper	lower	inner
elder

(a) Exterior: They built the exterior walls very strongly.

(b) Interior: Interior decoration is her primary profession.

(d) Former: The former village head was assassinated for political reasons.

(e) Major: Heavy population is a major problem in Nigeria.

(f) Latter: The latter part of the building construction was neglected.

(g) Upper: The upper part of her garment was torn.

(h) Lower: This scheme was intended for lower section of the country.

(I) Inner: The inner organs of human body are very complicated.

(j) Elder: She is my elder sister.

2. Adjective not used in the Superlative Degree

Perfect	unique	universal
ideal	chief	excellent	extreme

(a) Perfect: This is a perfect method.

(b) Unique; She has a unique memory

(d) Ideal: Abba dreamt of an ideal society.

(e) Chief: The chief guest gave away the prizes to the winners.

(f) Excellent: I was impressed with Nikola's excellent beauty.

(g) Extreme: She expressed extreme happiness over my book.

3. Adjective used with 'to'

Some Adjective must always be followed by 'to' and not 'than'.

superior	senior	prior
inferior	junior	preferable

(a) Superior: Japan electronic goods are superior to those manufactured in other countries.

(b) Inferior: The paper produced in China is inferior to that produced in Nigeria.

(d) Junior: He is junior to her in the office.

(e) prior: Prior to prime Ministership, Craig Ducan had been a pilot in Nigeria Airlines for some time.

(f) Preferable: Coffee is preferable to alcohol.

4. The comparison of the two qualities of the same person: more

When we wish to compare the two qualities of the same person 'er' form is not used. Only 'more' form must be used.

Ex: Pamela is more beautiful than clever.

This book is more interesting than yours.

5. When we compare two things, the compared thing must be excluded

Ex: Yemisi is more beautiful than any other girl.

Togo is poorer than all other countries.

Buki is teller than any other girl.

6. Positive Degree: no comparison

Positive Degree is used to talk about the existence of some quality and there is no comparison.

Ex: Pamela is beautiful.

He is brave.

7. Comparative Degree: two persons or things

Comparative Degree is used to show comparison between two persons or things.

Ex: Funks is more attractive than Stella.

Bayo is cleverer than his brother.

8. Superlative Degree: three or more persons or things

Ex: Funke is the attractive of all her sisters.

Bayo is the cleverest boy in the college.

9. Superlative of eminence or absolute Superlative

Superlative Degree may be used to show possession of a quality in a high degree.

Ex: The novel is a bestseller.

Education is a most essential thing.

Note: Such use as this is known as the Superlative or Eminence or Absolute Superlative.

10. The comparison of two things or persons: than may other when two things or persons are compared.

Ex: Mathematics is more useful than any other subject.

Note: The word other is not left out because, if we say Mathematics is more useful than any subject, it means mathematics is more useful than mathematics is included in all other subjects.

11. Later and Latter: 'Later' indicates time and 'latter' indicates position.

Ex: She came later than I thought.

His latter novels are very dull.

He was married later than his sister.

12. Latest and Last: 'Latest' refers to time and 'last' refers position.

Ex: What is the latest news?

I am the last person in the interview.

What are the latest films in the city?

Our house is the last one in the community.

13. Elder and Eldest: They are used only for persons and for the members of the same family. 'Elder' is not used with 'than'.

Ex: Rita is my eldest sister.

Bayo is my elder brother.

Dele is my uncle's eldest son.

She has an elder sister.

14. Older and Oldest: They are used both for persons and things.

Ex: Funke is older than me.

She is the oldest woman in the town.

This painting is older than that.

This is the oldest school in this area.

15. Farther and Further: 'Farther' means more distant and 'further' means in addition to.

Ex: My house is farther than yours.

I applied to the principal for further details.

She walked farther than her sister.

We did not receive any further news about the accident.

16. Nearest and Next: 'Nearest' denotes distance and 'next' denotes position.

Ex: I got admission in the nearest college.

I advised her to try harder next time.

Which is the nearest planet to the earth?

What is the next programme on T.V. today?

17. First and Foremost: 'First' means first in order. 'Foremost' means most prominent or significant.

Ex: Woke Soyinka was the first writer to receive Novel prize in Nigeria.

I got the first prize in the story competition.

Mother Theresa was the foremost woman social worker in the world.

He is a foremost doctor in the community.

18. Utter most and Utmost: 'Utter most' means the most distant or remote and 'utmost' means extreme or the highest degree.

Ex: Man is trying to probe into the uttermost depths of the sea.

He exhibited utmost interest and enthusiasm in literature.

19. Many a and a great many: Both have the same meaning but 'many a' is used with a singular verb and 'a great many' with a plural verb.

Ex: Many a leader wants to become the president of Nigeria.

A great many Nigerians are in poverty and ignorance.

Many a person thinks that he is a great man.

A great many books were displayed at the book-fair.

20. Less and Lesser: Both have the same meaning but 'less' is commoner than 'lesser'. Both are used to mean small in quantity.

Ex: I showed less interest in music than poetry.

She paid me lesser amount than I expected.

I carried with me less luggage than my friend.

Nancy has lesser attraction than Funke.

21. Some and Any: 'Some' is used in affirmative sentences and 'any' is used in negative or interrogative sentences.

Ex: I ate some rice.

I haven't any wealth.

Do you have any money?

Note: Some may be used in requests.

Ex: Would you have some coffee?

Will you have some biscuits?

22. Each and Every: 'Each' and 'every' have the same meaning.

'Each' is used when the number is limited and definite and 'every' is used when the number is indefinite. 'Each' is used to direct the attention to the individuals and 'every' is used when the number is indefinite. 'Each' is used to direct the attention to the individuals and 'every' is used to refer to the total group.

Ex: Every seat was broken. [All seats were broken]

Everybody was ready. [All were ready]

Each book is interesting.

23. Much and Many: 'Much' denotes quantity but 'Many' denotes number.

Ex: Much money was spent on the useless scheme.

Many books were written on Computer Science.

Much time was allotted to discuss the topic.

Many people suspect the innocent.

24. All and Whole–The whole of: 'All' denotes number and quantity. But 'whole' denotes only the quantity. 'The whole of' + proper noun must be used correctly. All + the + noun and the + whole + noun should be used correctly.

Ex: All criminals were arrested.

All was lost in the fire accident.

I drank all the milk in the bottle.

Have you spent the whole money?

I visited the whole of Nigeria.

25. Each other and One another: 'Each other' is used for two persons and 'one another' is used for more than two.

Ex: The husband and wife love each other.

The five brothers quarreled with one another.

26. Either and Neither: 'Either' means one of the two and 'neither' is negative of 'either'. Both are used for only two persons or things.

Ex: You must marry either sister. (Either of the two sisters)

She accepted neither proposal. [Neither of the proposals]

27. Matual and Common: 'Mutual' means reciprocal but 'common' means shared by all [more than two].

Ex: The mutual love between husband and wife was lost we went to a common friend yesterday.

28. Oral and Verbal: 'Verbal' means related to words but 'oral' means expressed by mouth.

Ex: I found some verbal differences in her letter.

I appeared for an oral test.

29. Sick and Ill: 'Sick' means prone to vomit and 'ill' means unwell.

Ex: she is feeling sick.

My father has been ill for a week.

30. No less than and No fewer than: 'No less than' is used for quantity and 'no fewer than' for number.

Ex: I ate no less than half loaf of bread.

No fewer than twenty teachers were appointed.

31. Little: A little and The little

(a) Little: Not much. [hardly any]. it has a negative meaning.

Ex: I have a very little interest in music.

I knew very little about Irene's death.

She talks very little in the public.

(b) A little: Some (thought not much). It has a positive meaning.

Ex; I have a little hope in life. (Some)

She has a little chance of being married. (Some)

Ex: The little information he gave me was reliable.

I gave the little amount I had to my friend.

32. Few, A few, The few

(a) Few: Not many (hardly any). it has a negative meaning.

Ex: Few students could speak House correctly.

Few countries could realise the important of peace.

(b) A few: Some (thought not many). It has a positive meaning.

Ex: She has a few friends in Abuja.

Only a few people are interested in poetry.

Ex: The few books he wrote were very interesting.

The few Nigerians in America are well educated.

33. Adjectives used with Verbs: Some verbs are always used with adjectives expressing the quantity of the subject not with adverbs.

Ex: The flower smells sweet.

The book sounds interesting.

The food tastes delicious.

I fed happy.

Note: Adverbs may be used with a different meaning.

Ex: She smells the perfume lovingly.

The driver sounded the horn loudly.

She tasted the food unwillingly.

34. This kind/sort of + Plural Noun

Ex: This kind/sort of books/people/ideas/desires (not these kind/sort).

But books/people/ideas/desires/desires of this kind/sort (correct)

35. Comparison between persons or things or their qualities

Either the persons or things or their qualities must be compared and not the things or persons with their qualities.

Ex: The knowledge of my father is greater than that of my uncle. (Correct)

The knowledge of my father is greater than my uncle. (Incorrect)

Here the comparison is made between 'the knowledge of my father' and 'the knowledge of my uncle'. But not between 'the knowledge of my father and uncle'.

36. Double Comparative and Superlative:

Double Comparative and Superlatives must be avoided.

Ex: He is more cleverer than his brother. (Incorrect)

He is cleverer than his brother. (Correct)

He is the most cleverest in the college. (Incorrect)

He is the cleverest in the college. (Correct)

37. This and that & These and Those

(a) 'This' and 'that' are used with singular Nouns and 'these' and 'those' with plural Nouns.

Ex: This book. These books. That girl. Those girls.

(b) 'This' and 'these' indicate the things or persons near to the speaker and 'that' and 'those' to more distant objects.

Ex: This book. That poet. These flowers. Those poets.

38. Adjective used as Nouns

(a) Adjective are often used as nouns denoting a class of persons.

Ex: The rich and the poor are different groups.

(b) Singular Noun denoting the abstract quality.

Ex: We must honour the brave.

We should admire the honest.

(I) Adjective derived from proper nouns

Ex: Australians, Canadians, Italians, Nigerians

(ii) Adjectives denoting persons

Ex: juniors, seniors, morals, inferiors, superiors, nobles

(iii) Adjectives denoting things

Ex: secrets, totals, liquids, solids, valuables, sweets, bitters, eatables.

39. Adjectives used in certain phrases

Adjectives are generally used in fixed phrases

in general	in future	in short
in secret	in black and white	the long and short
at best	before long	for good
right or wrong	through thick and thin	for better or for worse
from bad to worse

(a) In general: life is bed of roses and thorns in general.

(b) In future: I shall become famous in future.

(d) In secret: Kate kept her marriage in secret.

(e) In black and white: I want your statement in black and white.

(f) The Long and short: The long and short of the matter is that she lost everything in life.

(g) At best: She is at best in her poetic art.

(h) Before long: He will arrive before long.

(I) At present: We are busy with work at present.

(j) For good: He gave up smoking for good.

(k) Right or wrong: You must kill him whether it is right or wrong.

(l) Through thick and thin: She stood by me through thick and thin.

(m) For better or for worse: You must resign your job for better or for worse.

(n) From bad to worse: Her health grew from bad to worse after she lost only child in the accident.

<5div>
40. Formation of Adjectives
(a) Many adjectives bare formed from nouns

fool – foolish	hope – hopeful
dirt – dirty	gold – golden
envy – envious	trouble – troublesome/td>
pardon – pardonable	speech – speechless
talent – talented	courage – courageous

(b) Some adjective are formed from verbs

rest – restless	talk – talkative
help – helpful	believe – believable
read – readable	include – inclusive
exclude – exclusive

ironic – ironical	lyric – lyrical
historical – historical	philosophic – philosophical
black – blackish	economic – economical

41. Position of Adjectives (a) Adjectives used attributively are commonly placed before a noun
ex: black shirt, hard word, best book
(b) A word or phrase explaining the meaning must be placed after noun
Ex: A woman dedicated to social work.
Dress appropriate to the occasion.
A nation interested in world peace.
(c) Adjectives used after nouns with certain phrases

Ex: Heir apparent	Loard paramount
Time immemorial	Viceroy elect
Latter parent	God almighty
Notary public	Body politic

42. preferable To

Preferable is not used with 'more than' but with 'to'.

Ex: The first two books.

The first five chapters.

The first six words.

44. Superlative Degree: Of all + Plural Noun

The phrase 'of all' must be used in the Superlative Degree. 'Of all other' is a wrong expression and it must be avoided.

Ex: Funks is the most brilliant of am other girls. [Incorrect]

Funks is the most brilliant of all girls. [Correct]

45. Letter: Two persons or things

Ex: Look at the two girls at the bus stop. The former is Victoria and the letter is her sister Bukola.

These are two books on the table. The former is a test paper and the latter is a text book.

46. Last: more than two persons or things

Ex: Of the there's girls, Ngozi, Chika and Oluchi, the last is the most brilliant.

47. Comparative Degree in selective sense: The definite article 'the'

When the comparative degree is used in selective sense, the Definite Article 'the' is used.

Ex: Funks is clever of the two sisters. (Incorrect)

Funks is the cleverest of the two sisters. (Correct)

48. Comparative and Superlative Degree selective sense comparative Degree is used do two persons and things and Superlative for more than two persons and things.

Ex: He is the braver of the two brothers.

Bukola is the most beautiful of the three sisters.

ARTICLES

Articles: 'A', 'an' and 'the' are known as Articles. They are, in fact, demonstrative adjectives.

Kinds of Articles: These are two types of articles.

Definite Articles
Indefinite Articles

1. Definite Article: An Article which is used to refer to a particular person or thing is known as the Definite Article.

Ex: the

2. Indefinite Article: An Article which does not refer to any particular person or thing is known as the Definite Article.

Ex: the

2. Indefinite Article: An Article which does not refer to any particular person or thing is known as the indefinite Article.

Ex: a, an

A. THE SELECTION OF 'A' OR 'AN'

Hints:

1. 'A' is used before a word beginning with a consonant sound.

Ex: a boy, a man, a human being, a table, a horse, a yard, a young man

2. 'A' is used before a word beginning with 'h' and Al's with 'y' and 'u'

Ex: a horse, a historical novel, a human being, a youth, a year, a yard, a yell, a a yellow paper, a young man, a university, a useful thing, a unit, a European, a uniform, a union

3. 'A' is used before a word beginning with a 'w' sound.

Ex: a one legged sailor, a one man tribunal, a one dollar note, such a one, a one way ticket

4. An is used a word beginning with a vowel sound.

Ex: an hour, an hour, an heir, an heir loom, an honorable man, an honest citizen

B. THE USE OF INDEFINITE ARTICLE

1. The indefinite Article 'A' or 'An' is used in the sense of 'one of a'

Ex: I met a friend. (Means one of a certain friend)

I read a novel. (means one of certain novel)

2. It is used to represent a whole class or in the sense of all of any.

Ex: A student should be proper be obedient. (means all or any students)

A doctor must love his patient. (Means all or any doctor)

3. It is used to convert a proper noun into a common noun .

Ex: He is a Clinton. (a great political leader)

She is a 'Mother Thesesa. (a great social worker)

4. In certain expressions.

a couple
a dozen
half a dozen
a quarter
a thousand
a million
a lot of
a great deal of
a great number of
a good deal many
a score

5. It is used in the sense of 'one'.

Ex: a book, a pen, a man, a girl, a country

6. With words 'little' and 'few'.

Ex: a little milk, a few people

7. In the sense of 'every'.

Ex: 2,000 a month. ten Naira a dozen

Five Naira a kilo. five times a year

8. It is used in exclamatory sentences.

Ex: what a pretty girl! What a shame?

What a clever boy! What a hot day!

C. 'A' OR 'AN' IS NOT USED

1. A or An is not used with a plural noun.

Ex: dogs, books, girls (not a dogs, a girls, a books)

2. With uncountable nouns.

Ex: advice	furniture
information	scenery
news	machinery
baggage	poetry
knowledge	work
business

But these words may be used with:

Same, any, a little, a lot of, a piece of, a bit of, an item of.

Ex: some advice, any news, a piece of information

A knowledge of English is useful. (Correct)

3. The words 'rope' and 'experience' may be used with or without articles.

Ex: I used a rope to tie the papers. [Not rope]

I have experience in teaching. [Not an experience]

BUT – I had an excellent experience yesterday. [Not excellent experience]

4. With material nouns.

Ex: glass	wine
wheat	paper
cloth	rice
stone	sugar
bread	iron
tea	water
wood	coffee
milk

But these words may be used with a different meaning
Ex: I want a paper. [means newspaper]
I used an iron. [means clothes iron]
5. with abstract nouns

Ex: happiness	beauty
fear	friendship
pleasure	love
affection	wisdom
courage	intelligence
hope	bravery

6. with the names of meals

Ex: dinner, supper, lunch, breakfast

But these words may be used with indefinite Article, when that are particularized.

Ex: A dinner given by the president of Nigerian to the AU.

D. THE USE OF DEFINITE ARTICLES

1. Unique things

The Definite Article 'the' is used with unique things in nature.

Ex: the sun, the sea, the sky, moon, the earth

The sun rises in the east.

The earth moves round the sun.

2. Particular persons or things

'The' is used to talk about particular persons or things.

Ex: The man you met yesterday is my uncle.

The lady you saw at the theater is my wife.

3. Persons or things mentioned for the second time

'The' is used to talk about persons or things mentioned for the second time.

Ex: I met a girl. The girl is very tall.

I went to a hostel. The hostel is very neat.

4. Persons or things understood from the context.

''The' is used with the persons or things understood from the context.

Ex: I sat in the garden. ( in my house)

I spoke to the doctor. ( My family doctor)

Give me the book. (on the table)

He returned the bike. (I gave him)

I talked to the manager. (In my coffee)

I left the luggage (I had with me) at the railway station.

5. Singular nouns representing the whole class

Ex: The rose is a lovely flower. [all or any rose or roses]

The scientist should love mankind. [every or all scientists]

The teacher should know the psychology of the students. [all or any or every teacher]

6. Names of rivers/gulfs/seas/groups of islands/mountain range and oceans

'The' is used with the names of rivers, gulfs, seas, groups of islands, chains of mountains.

Ex: The Niger. The Persian Gulf

The Mississippi. The pacific Ocean

7. Well-Known books

'The' is the with the names of well Known books.

Ex: the Bible
The Vedas
The Dictionary
The Odyssey
The Thesaurus
The Koran

But – 'the' is not used, if author's name is mentioned.

Ex: Things Fall Apart

Chinue Achebe

8. Proper noun used as common noun

'The' when used before a proper noun makes it a common noun.

Ex: Jo's is the Manchester of Nigeria.

Rawlings is the Savior of Ghana.

Calabar is the Switzerland of Nigeria.

9. Superlative adjectives

'That' is used before superlative adjectives.

Ex: the tallest

The largest

The biggest

The longest

10. Adjective used as nouns

'That' when used before adjectives make them nouns.

Ex: the rich

The poor

The strong

The weak

The bad

The needy

Ex: The rich (people) and the poor (people) are different sections in any society.

The old (persons) disagree with the young (persons).

11. Double comparatives

'The' is used with double comparatives.

Ex: the more I read, the more I like.

The more I earn, the more I spend.

The more I eat, the less I like.

12. Directions

'The' is used with directions

Ex: the north, the east, the south, the west

13. Historical buildings

'The' is used with historical buildings.

Ex: the National Theatre

The Museum

The MUSON centre

The beach house

14. Newspapers and magazines

Ex: The sun

The times of Nigeria

The Nigerian Express

The illustrated weekly

15. Names of countries

'The' is used with the names of certain countries and Provinces.

Ex: the Yorubas

The United state

The United Kingdom

The Deccan

16. Famous historical events

'The' is used with historical events.

Ex: the Republic Day, the Renaissance, the independence Day, the Reformation, the industrial Revolution

17. Nationalities, sects and communities.

Ex: the french

the British

the Nigerians

The Christians

The Americans

The Muslims

18. Trains, ships and aeroplanes

'The' is used with the names of trains, ships and aeroplane

Ex: the Virgin Nigeria

The Daily Express

The NNSC

The RKO Express

19. Common noun used as abstract noun

'The' used before a common noun used as an abstract noun.

Ex: The poet in me raised his voice against injustice.

The mother in her took pity on the child.

20. Proper nouns qualified by adjectives

'The' is used before proper nouns qualified by adjectives

Ex; the great Nnamdi Azikiwe

The well–known Nigerian philosopher Achebe the saintly woman Mother Theresa

21. Ordinals

'The' is used with ordinals.

Ex: the first, the last, the third, the next

22. Musical instruments

'That' is used with musical instruments.

Ex: the violin, the veena, the flute, the star

23. Force of superlative degree

'That' is used to give the force of superlative to a word

Ex: He is the maker of modern Nigeria.

She is the bread winner in the family.

This is the place I met her.

24. Comparative degree in selective sense

'The' is used in comparative degree in selective sense

Note: the words man and woman are not used with 'the'

Ex: Man is a social animal

Woman has greater abilities.

E. OMISSION OF THE ARTICLE

1. Proper nouns

No Article us used with proper nouns.

Ex: Japan, Bill Clinton, Dayo Ojo, Mother Theresa, Ama ike, Nigeria, Kayode Abiodun, Amdi Uka

2. Abstract nouns

No Article is placed before abstract nouns.

Ex: beauty, pleasure, grammar, courage, honesty, poetry, bravely, wisdom, childhood

But an Article may be used, if these qualities are attributed to people.

Ex: The knowledge of history.

The beauty of Bukola.

The honesty of political leaders.

3. Common nouns

No Article is used with common noun used in wider sense

Ex: book, photo, pen, album, flower, house

4. Material nouns

No Article, in theory, is used with material nouns, but an Article is required when they are particularized.

Ex: glass, sheet, cloth, copper, gold, silver, iron, bread, marble

But with an Article:

The steel produced at Alaja Steel Plant

The gold in the bank

The paper used fie printing this book

5. Man and woman

No Article isused with the two words 'man' and 'woman'.

Ex: Man is a social animal.

Woman is cleaverer that man.

6. Languages

No Article is used with languages.

Ex: Hause, Igbo, English, Yoruba

Ex: Igbo is spoken in Eastern Nigeria

I speak English at home.

7. Names of buildings

No Article should be used with the names of the buildings if they are meant for primary purpose.

Ex: school, hospital, university, college, chapel, nursing home, church, market, office

But an Article is used, if they are considered AQ places.

Ex: The collage is very beautifully constructed.

I went to the hospital to see my friend.

8. Relations

No Article is used with the names of relations.

Ex: Mother gave birth to me.

Children make every home a happy family.

9. Unique posts

No Article is used before unique posts.

Ex: He was elected president of the association.

She was elected chairman of the company.

10. Certain phrases

No Article is used before nouns in certain phrases.

Ex: to catch fire, to bring word, to take breath, to give ear, to leave home, to give birth, to set sail, to strike too, to cast anchor, to lose heart

11. Preposition phrases

No Article is used with the following prepositional phrases.

Ex: at home, on demand, at ease, in hand, at interest, under ground, in debt, on earth, above ground, by day, by land, at midday, by night, by river, in trouble, at daybreak, by train, at fault, at sunrise, by steamer, at sunset

No article used for the following:

12. Names of meals

Ex: lunch, dinner, breakfast

He invited me to dinner.

I usually have my lunch at twelve.

13. Names of games

Ex: cricket, tennis, chess

Ex: My brother plays Che's in leisure.

Cricket is a popular game in the world.

14. Names of diseases

Ex: fever, malaria, cancer

He I suffering from fever.

AIDS is an incurable disease.

15. Names of colors

Ex: white, yellow, green, black, red, blue

White stands for purity.

Green is associated with prosperity.

16. Names of senses, seasons, days, months

Ex: March is the third month of the year.

Monday comes after Sunday.

We go to Jo's in summer.

17. Nature and society

Ex: Nature is the best physician.

Society Is a combination of all sections of people.

Wordsworth is a worshipper of Nature.

Society is created for welfare of man.

F. REPETITION OF THE ARTICLE

1. When two adjectives qualifying the Sam noun ate connected by 'and', the Article must be used with the first adjective.

Ex: the blue and yellow skirt. (One skirt)

This is an English and French dictionary. (One dictionary)

2. When two adjectives qualifying different nouns, the Article must be used with each adjective.

Ex: The first and the second poem.

The green and red skirt.

The Yoruba and the Igbo language.

Note: The repetition may be avoided by using a plural noun.

Ex: the first a'd second poems.

The green and ref skirts.

The Yoruba and Igbo languages.

3. When two nouns refer to the same person or thing the Article is used with the first noun.

Ex: I met the editor and journalist.

I interviewed the social worker and school teacher.

4. When two nouns refer to different persons or things, the Article must be used with each noun.

Ex: I met the editor and the journalist.

I had an interview with the novelist and the critic.

5. When comparing to nouns referring to the same person or thing, the Article must be used with the first noun

Ex: Charles Eze is a better poet than speaker.

Balu is a greater singer than actor.

Bayo like is a better defender than goalkeeper.

Search This Blog

RABSTEL

ADJECTIVE

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

AIRTEL RCCG

AIRTEL CCP

AIRTEL CUG

Labels