3.3.1 Word classes: adjectives, simple prepositions Notes, Quizzes & Revision
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3.3.1 Word classes: Adjectives & Simple Prepositions
Topic: 3.3 Grammar in Use — Subject: English — Target age: 15 (Kenya)
Specific learning outcomes
- a) Use simple prepositions to show agent, place, time, manner, instrument and movement.
- b) Use proper, descriptive, regular and irregular adjectives in the correct order to describe people, places, features and animals.
- c) Distinguish regular and irregular adjectives in a text.
- d) Form comparatives of adjectives with two or three syllables for clear communication.
- e) Order adjectives correctly for clarity.
- f) Recognise the importance of adjectives and simple prepositions in communication.
- g) Identify proper adjectives, regular & irregular adjectives, comparatives & superlatives (two/three words), descriptive adjectives, and simple prepositions.
1. Adjectives — what and why?
An adjective describes or modifies a noun (person, place, thing or idea). It gives information such as what kind, which one, how many, or how much.
Examples (Kenyan context):
- a Kenyan runner (proper adjective)
- a tall teacher (descriptive adjective)
- three students (quantity)
- a busy market (quality)
2. Types of adjectives
- Descriptive adjectives: describe qualities (big, bright, calm).
- Proper adjectives: formed from proper nouns — usually capitalised (Kenyan, Maasai, Nairobi).
- Regular adjectives: form comparatives and superlatives by adding -er / -est or using more / most (e.g., small → smaller → smallest; careful → more careful → most careful).
- Irregular adjectives: have special comparative/superlative forms (good → better → best; bad → worse → worst).
3. Forming comparatives & superlatives (rules)
- One-syllable adjectives: add -er / -est.
e.g., tall → taller → tallest; big → bigger → biggest (double final consonant).
- Two-syllable adjectives: either add -er/-est (often short/ending -y) or use more/most.
e.g., happy → happier → happiest (y → i); clever → cleverer → cleverest; peaceful → more peaceful → most peaceful.
- Three (or more) syllables: usually use more / most.
e.g., beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful.
- Common irregulars: good → better → best; bad → worse → worst; far → farther/further → farthest/furthest; little → less → least; many/much → more → most.
4. Order of adjectives (when more than one appear)
General recommended order: opinion → size → age → shape → colour → origin → material → purpose → noun.
Example: "a lovely (opinion) small (size) old (age) round (shape) red (colour) Kenyan (origin) wooden (material) school desk (purpose + noun)."
5. Simple prepositions — categories & common examples
Prepositions show relationships in time, place, agent, manner, instrument and movement.
- Agent: by — "The essay was written by Grace."
- Place: in, on, at — "I live in Nairobi; the book is on the table; meet me at the gate."
- Time: at, on, in, during — "At 7 am; on Monday; in August; during the holidays."
- Manner: with, like, by — "He painted with care; She dances like a professional."
- Instrument: with, by, using — "He cut the paper with scissors; They travelled by bus."
- Movement / Direction: to, from, into, out of, towards, through — "They walked to the market; the bird flew into the tree."
Kenyan examples: "Tourists travel to Maasai Mara by bus." — "We arrived at Moi Stadium at 4 pm." — "The river flows through the valley."
6. Distinguishing regular vs irregular adjectives in a text
Look for comparative/superlative forms: regular ones follow patterns (-er/-est or more/most); irregular ones change entirely (good → better).
Quick check: If you see "more beautiful" → regular (use of more). If you see "better" → irregular (good → better).
7. Short practice (try these)
- Underline the adjective(s) and state their type: "A tall Kenyan runner won the race."
- Form the comparative: beautiful (3 syllables), happy (2 syllables), small (1 syllable).
- Choose the correct preposition: "We will meet ___ the school gate. (in / at / on)"
- Order these adjectives: (wooden / old / big / white) table.
- Identify irregular comparative: good, better, best — which is base form?
8. Answers
- "A tall Kenyan runner won the race." — Adjectives: tall (descriptive), Kenyan (proper adjective).
- Comparatives: beautiful → more beautiful; happy → happier; small → smaller.
- Meet ___ the school gate: at.
- Correct order: "a big old white wooden table" (opinion/size → age → colour → material).
- Base form: good; irregular comparative: better.
9. Suggested learning experiences (classroom & homework)
- Pair activity: describe your partner in five sentences using 3–4 adjectives each (use proper adjectives like Kenyan where relevant).
- Picture prompt: show a photo of Maasai Mara / Mount Kenya / a busy market. Ask learners to write 6–8 descriptive sentences using ordered adjectives and prepositions (e.g., "Safely hidden in tall grass, the Maasai Mara visitor took photos with a small camera.").
- Comparative race: groups form sentences comparing Nairobi and Mombasa using two- and three-syllable adjectives correctly (e.g., "Mombasa is more humid than Nairobi.").
- Preposition scavenger hunt: give learners short texts; they underline prepositions and label their function (place/time/agent/etc.).
- Homework: read a short Kenyan news paragraph and list all adjectives; identify regular/irregular and give comparatives.
10. Importance (why learners must master these)
Adjectives and prepositions make communication precise and vivid: adjectives help you describe people, places and feelings; prepositions link ideas (where, when, how). Correct use improves school essays, spoken descriptions and clear instructions — essential for exams and real-life situations (e.g., giving directions, describing results in science or social studies).