Grammar: Word classes: Adjectives

Describing qualities and attributes

Drawing pictures with words

When we want to build up a 'picture' of someone or something through words, we can use adjectives that describe physical attributes (tall, square) and abstract qualities (sad, clever).

The most common of these adjectives are:

We can describe people and things in terms of such characteristics as:

	colour: blue, bright, yellowish
	size and shape: big, round, thick
	age and time: young, new, elderly
	the senses: soft, sweet, bitter
	abstract qualities: kind, clever, absent-minded

Apart from these main groupings, there are many other adjectives that we can use to bring our descriptions to life: 

For some suggestions on teaching primary students how to describe qualities and attributes, click here:
If you would like some practice using adjectives that describe qualities and attributes, click here:

For PrimeTeach teaching activities which provide KS2 students with practice in using adjectives / adjective groups to describe people and events, see:

	Come to Ocean Park
	My new festival
	Wanted! 1
	Wanted! 2
	Witches and vampires

For more information, see

Text types: Text formats for presenting information: Weather reports