Reading and Writing · 06 · Grammar Foundations
Adjectives I
Notes
Key points
- Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns: which one, what kind, how many.
- They sit before the noun, or after a linking verb (is, seems, looks, feels).
- -ing adjectives name the cause; -ed adjectives name who feels it: boring vs bored.
- On the SAT, adjectives show up as form choices: careful vs carefully.
Rules
An adjective describes a noun.
She gave a careful answer.
She gave a carefully answer.
Linking verbs take adjectives, not adverbs.
The proposal seemed reasonable.
The proposal seemed reasonably.
-ed for the one feeling it; -ing for the cause.
The audience was bored by the long speech.
The audience was boring by the long speech.
Common traps
- Choosing the adverb after “seem”, “feel” or “appear” because it sounds formal.
- Mixing up -ed and -ing forms: interested vs interesting.
SAT tip
Find the word being described: noun → adjective; verb, adjective or adverb → adverb.
Test yourself
10 official SAT questions on Adjectives I, easiest first.