Grade 3 English Describing Words – Size, Shape And Color Notes

What is a describing word?

A describing word is called an adjective. Adjectives tell us more about a noun. They can talk about size, shape or colour.

1. Size words

Examples: big, small, tall, short, long, tiny.

How to use:

• An adjective usually comes before the noun: a big mango.
• Or after a linking verb (is/are): The mango is big.

Examples (Kenyan context):

• The giraffe is tall.
• The baby goat is small.
• The matatu is long.

2. Shape words

Examples: round, square, oval, long, triangle, flat.

Examples: a round chapati, a square box, an oval egg.

3. Colour words

Examples: red, green, black, white, blue, yellow, brown.

Kenya flag example: The Kenya flag is black, red, green and white.

Simple rules to remember

• Adjectives usually come before the noun: a small house.
• After ‘is’ or ‘are’ we use adjectives: The house is small.
• Adjectives do not change for singular or plural: a red apple, red apples.

Practice — Try these

1. Fill the blank with a good adjective:
   a) The mango is ____. (big / blue)
   b) The matatu is ____. (small / long)
2. Match the word to the picture:
   A

   B

   C
   Words: 1) round 2) blue 3) triangle
3. Write a short sentence (you can copy):
   a) The flag is ____, ____, and ____.
   b) My ball is ____. (use a colour and a shape)

Well done! Keep looking around — name the size, shape and colour of things you see every day: fruits, clothes, matatus and houses. This helps you learn many describing words.