Explain the difference between descriptive and limiting adjectives.

Adjective Questions Long



70 Short 71 Medium 56 Long Answer Questions Question Index

Explain the difference between descriptive and limiting adjectives.

Descriptive adjectives and limiting adjectives are two different types of adjectives that serve different purposes in a sentence.

Descriptive adjectives, as the name suggests, provide additional information and details about a noun or pronoun. They describe the qualities, characteristics, or attributes of the noun they modify. These adjectives help to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind by providing specific details. For example, in the sentence "The beautiful sunset painted the sky with vibrant colors," the word "beautiful" is a descriptive adjective that adds more information about the sunset, emphasizing its aesthetic appeal.

On the other hand, limiting adjectives, also known as determiners, are used to specify or limit the noun they modify. They indicate the quantity, ownership, or definiteness of the noun. Limiting adjectives include articles (a, an, the), demonstratives (this, that, these, those), possessives (my, your, his, her, their), and quantifiers (some, many, few, several). These adjectives help to narrow down the meaning of the noun and provide clarity. For instance, in the sentence "I want to buy the red dress," the word "the" is a limiting adjective that specifies a particular dress, indicating that the speaker has a specific dress in mind.

In summary, descriptive adjectives describe the qualities of a noun, adding more details and creating a vivid image, while limiting adjectives specify or limit the noun, indicating its quantity, ownership, or definiteness. Both types of adjectives play important roles in enhancing the meaning and clarity of a sentence.