GRADE 8 English RELATIONSHIPS:PEERS – GRAMMAR IN USE:ADJECTIVES Notes
GRAMMAR IN USE: ADJECTIVES
Topic: RELATIONSHIPS — PEERS • Subject: English • Age: 13 (Kenya)
Adjectives are words that describe or give more information about people, places or things. In this topic we focus only on using adjectives to talk about peers (classmates, friends, teammates).
1. What is an adjective?
An adjective tells us which one, what kind, how many or how much. Examples about peers:
- "Amina is kind." — kind describes Amina.
- "Our team is strong." — strong describes the team of classmates.
- "He has three close friends." — three is a number adjective.
2. Common types of adjectives (with peer examples)
- Descriptive — describe qualities: kind, friendly, shy, noisy. Example: "David is friendly."
- Quantitative — show amount or number: many, few, several, two. Example: "She has many friends."
- Possessive — show who owns: my, your, his, her, our, their. Example: "Our group finished early."
- Demonstrative — point out: this, that, these, those. Example: "This boy is my teammate."
- Interrogative — used in questions: which, what, whose. Example: "Which student won the debate?"
3. Attributive vs Predicative adjectives
Attributive: adjective is before the noun.
"a quiet classmate"
Predicative: adjective comes after a linking verb (is, are, seem, feel).
"My classmate is quiet."
4. Order of multiple adjectives
When you use more than one adjective, English has a usual order (opinion, size, age, colour, origin, material, purpose). Use simple examples:
"a friendly young Kenyan student"
Don't worry if you make small mistakes — native speakers often use this order naturally.
5. Comparatives and superlatives
Use comparative to compare two people or things; use superlative to show the best/worst among three or more.
- One-syllable adjectives: add -er / -est
- "tall" → "taller" / "tallest": "Mwangi is taller than John."
- Two-syllable (common): may add -er/-est or use "more/most"
- "friendly" → "friendlier" / "friendliest": "Amina is friendlier than me."
- "careful" → "more careful" / "most careful": "She is more careful."
- Adjectives of three or more syllables: use "more" / "most"
- "intelligent" → "more intelligent" / "most intelligent"
- Irregular forms:
- "good" → "better" → "best"
- "bad" → "worse" → "worst"
- "far" → "farther/further" → "farthest/furthest"
6. Adjectives with linking verbs
Use adjectives after linking verbs to describe states or feelings:
- "be": "They are excited about the match."
- "feel": "I feel nervous before exams."
- "seem/look": "She looks tired after practice."
7. Key points to remember
- Adjectives do not change for gender or number in English: "a good friend", "good friends".
- Use possessive adjectives to show relationships: "my friend", "their teammate".
- Choose between -er/-est or more/most depending on syllables and common use.
- Use simple comparatives to compare peers: "better than", "worse than".
8. Practice — try these
- Underline the adjective(s): "Our noisy class enjoyed the game."
- Fill in the correct comparative or superlative:
- a) Mwangi is (tall) _____ than John.
- b) Amina is the (smart) _____ student in our class.
- Change the sentence to use a predicative adjective:
- "a shy boy" → ________.
- Put the adjectives in the correct order:
- "Kenyan / old / friendly / student" → ________.
- Choose the correct form (good / better / best): "Sam is _____ at football than Peter."
- "Our noisy class enjoyed the game." — noisy is the adjective.
-
a) Mwangi is taller than John.
b) Amina is the smartest student in our class. (or "the most intelligent") - "A shy boy" → "The boy is shy."
- "friendly old Kenyan student" → "a friendly old Kenyan student" (opinion → age → origin → noun)
- "Sam is better at football than Peter."
9. Quick classroom tips
- When describing a friend, use adjectives that show personality: kind, honest, helpful.
- Use comparatives to make friendly, fair comparisons: "You are more helpful than I thought."
- Practice by describing three classmates — try to use at least two adjectives for each.
Keep practicing with peers' examples from your own class — it makes adjectives easier to remember. 😊