Do you want to make your sentences more interesting and clear? Then learning about adjectives of quality is important. These words help describe the kind or nature of a person, place, or thing. In this blog post, you will learn what they are and how to use them with easy examples and practice.
You may also need to learn about different Types of Adjectives in English with easy examples and charts.
What are Adjectives of Quality?
Adjectives of Quality are words that tell us what kind or type of noun we are talking about. They describe the quality, character, or nature of someone or something.
They answer the question: “What kind?”
These adjectives can describe a person’s personality, an object’s condition, or a place’s appearance.
Words That Describe Quality
Here is a list of commonly used adjectives of quality:
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| Honest | Rude |
| Brave | Lazy |
| Smart | Dumb |
| Kind | Cruel |
| Helpful | Selfish |
| Clean | Dirty |
| Soft | Hard |
| Friendly | Angry |
| Beautiful | Ugly |
| Strong | Weak |
Example Sentences Using Adjectives of Quality
Let’s look at how these adjectives work in real sentences:
➤ He is a brave soldier.
➤ She wore a beautiful dress.
➤ This is a clean room.
➤ That dog looks angry.
➤ They are honest people.
➤ My grandma is very kind.
➤ This bag is heavy.
➤ The test was easy for me.
➤ We live in a peaceful village.
➤ The boy was very smart in math.
Usage of Adjectives of Quality
1. Used Before Nouns (Attributive Position)
Most of the time, adjectives of quality are placed before the noun they describe.
➤ She is a brave girl.
➤ We saw a beautiful sunset.
➤ He bought an old car.
🟢 Here, “brave”, “beautiful”, and “old” tell us the quality of the nouns (girl, sunset, car).
2. Used After Linking Verbs (Predicative Position)
Sometimes, adjectives of quality are used after verbs like is, am, are, was, were, seems, feels, looks, becomes.
➤ The baby is happy.
➤ He looks tired.
➤ This cake tastes delicious.
➤ The idea sounds great.
🟢 In these sentences, the adjective comes after the verb and describes the subject.
3. Used to Compare Quality (Comparison of Adjectives)
Adjectives of quality can be used in comparative and superlative forms to show comparison between people or things.
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Positive | She is smart. |
| Comparative | She is smarter than Ali. |
| Superlative | She is the smartest in class. |
➤ This book is interesting.
➤ That book is more interesting.
➤ This is the most interesting story I’ve read.
4. Used in Questions and Answers
You can use adjectives of quality when asking or answering about someone’s nature or something’s condition.
Q: What kind of person is he?
A: He is an honest man.
Q: How is the weather today?
A: It’s cold and windy.
5. Used in Sentences with Multiple Adjectives
You can also use more than one adjective of quality in a sentence.
➤ She is a kind and helpful teacher.
➤ They live in a small, peaceful, beautiful town.
🟢 Always follow the proper order: Opinion → Size → Age → Shape → Color → Origin → Material → Purpose.
Example:
➤ A lovely small round red Italian leather bag.
(Don’t worry too much about this rule at beginner level; just practice using 2–3 adjectives together!)
Important Tips for Usage
| Tip | Example |
|---|---|
| Use before noun (attributive) | A strong man |
| Use after linking verb (predicative) | The man is strong |
| Don’t add “very” to all adjectives | ❌ Very perfect → ✔️ Just “perfect” |
| Use proper adjective order | A nice big old house |
| Make comparative/superlative | Happy → Happier → Happiest |
Adjectives of Quality in Different Contexts
Adjectives of quality are used in different ways depending on the sentence.
1. Describing People:
➤ She is a polite girl.
➤ He is lazy and never studies.
2. Describing Objects:
➤ I need a soft pillow.
➤ This phone is expensive.
3. Describing Places:
➤ We stayed in a quiet hotel.
➤ The city is crowded but beautiful.
Practice Questions
Q1: She is a ______ girl. (kind/rude)
A1: kind
Q2: This chair is ______. (soft/hard)
A2: soft
Q3: He gave a ______ answer. (smart/lazy)
A3: smart
Q4: My room is very ______. (clean/dirty)
A4: clean
Q5: The tiger is a ______ animal. (brave/weak)
A5: brave
Q6: Ali is a ______ boy. (honest/cruel)
A6: honest
Q7: The test was ______ for her. (easy/hard)
A7: easy
Q8: That man is ______ to others. (kind/selfish)
A8: kind
Q9: This pizza tastes ______. (delicious/ugly)
A9: delicious
Q10: She has a ______ voice. (sweet/rude)
A10: sweet
FAQs about Adjectives of Quality
Q1: What are adjectives of quality?
A: They describe the nature, type, or character of a noun.
Q2: How are they different from other adjectives?
A: They tell us what kind of person or thing it is, not how many or which one.
Q3: Are adjectives of quality only for people?
A: No, they can describe people, things, animals, and places.
Q4: Where do we place them in a sentence?
A: Usually before the noun – e.g., a kind man.
Q5: Can we use more than one adjective of quality?
A: Yes! Example: a smart and polite student.
