Adjective is a modifying word. It can be indefinite.
Adjectives are certainly indefinite. We use indefinite adjectives to describe the nouns or pronouns in a nonspecific manner. We can get more information about the nouns or pronouns that they modify in a non-specific sense.
What are indefinite adjectives?
Indefinite adjectives are the adjectives that are used to describe the nouns or pronouns in non-specific ways. The indefinite adjectives are used to qualify or modify the nouns or pronouns in uncertain ways. We can get more information about the modified words with the use of indefinite adjectives.
let’s see the most common indefinite adjectives that we frequently use:
- any, each, many, much, most, few, several, some, other, either, both, another, neither, enough, anything, none, nobody, somebody, everyone, everything, all etc.
Examples of indefinite adjectives;
1. There are only a few students who have performed well in the sports competition.
2. Some mice have chewed the cables of the line.
3. We have been living in this house for several years.
4. Each boy in the class has done very well in the sports held in our school.
5. Any candidate can participate in recitation.
6. Both girls wore lovely dresses.
7. Can you give me another reply?
8.I have enough money to buy a present for you.
9. Neither party is able to get majority seats in the election.
10. Other boys might have arrived at the party.
11. Most people became homeless during the flood.
12. Some people neglect exercise.
13. No student is allowed to come late to the class.
14. One day I found out about the matter.
Detailed explanations:
Ex- There are only a few students who have performed well in the sports competition.
Explanation- In the above example the word ‘few’ is an indefinite adjective. Its action is to modify the noun ‘students’.
Ex- Some mice have chewed the cables of the line.
Explanation- In this above example the word ‘some’ is an indefinite adjective. It has been described in an uncertain or non-specific way.
Ex- We have been living in this house for several years.
Explanation- In this sentence we find the use of an indefinite adjective.The indefinite adjective is several that has been used in a non specific way. It has described the following noun ‘years’.
Ex- Each boy in the class has done very well in the sports held in our school.
Explanation- Here the word ‘each’ is an indefinite adjective. Its function is to describe the noun ‘boy’ in an uncertain way.
Ex- Any candidate can participate in recitation.
Explanation- In the above sentence the indefinite adjective any is used to modify the noun candidate and uncertain way.
Ex- Both girls wore lovely dresses.
Explanation – In this example the word both is an indefinite adjective that has been used to qualify the noun girl in a non-specific way.
Ex- Can you give me another reply?
Explanation- The above example shows that the word another is an indefinite adjective that has been used to describe the noun reply in a non-specific sense.
Ex- I have enough money to buy a present for you.
Explanation-In this sentence the word enough is an indefinite adjective that has been used to qualify the noun money in an uncertain way.
Ex- Neither party is able to get majority seats in the election.
Explanation- In this above example the word ‘neither’ is an indefinite adjective. It precedes the noun ‘party’ and it qualifies it in an uncertain or non-specific way.
Ex- Other boys might have arrived at the party.
Explanation- The above example gives us the idea that the word other is used before the noun boys and it qualifies the noun in an indefinite or non-specific sense.
Ex- Most people became homeless during the flood.
Explanation- In this above sentence the word most is an indefinite adjective that has been used before the noun people and qualifies it in a non specific sense.
Ex- Some people neglect exercise.
Explanation- In this sentence the word some is an indefinite adjective; it has been used here to qualify people in an indefinite or non-specific way.
Ex- No student is allowed to come late to the class.
Explanation- In the above sentence we see that the word no is used before the noun student and it qualifies the noun in a non specific or uncertain way.
Ex- One day I found out about the matter.
Explanation-In the above sentence the word ‘one’ is an indefinite adjective. It has been used here to modify the noun ‘day’ in a specific-way.
When is an adjective indefinite?
Adjectives are describing words. Adjectives are indefinite when they describe the nouns in a non-specific way. Through these words we cannot get a definite description of the nouns. They represent the qualification of the nouns in an uncertain manner.
How is an adjective indefinite?
Adjective is indefinite that is used to show us the qualification of the unspecific sense. It offers us mere and general information about a noun or a pronoun.
Why is the adjective indefinite?
Adjective is indefinite because it describes the noun in an uncertain or non-specific way. We do not get the exact indication of the qualification of the noun. It is also indefinite because it gives us an element of uncertainty.
Uses of demonstrative adjective:
Demonstrative adjectives come before the nouns and tell us which one is specifically modifying. Let’s see the following examples where the demonstrated adjectives are used.
- My daughter gave me this water bottle.
- These apples are bought by me from the market.
- Those people were desperate to earn their livelihood.
- I could not manage to go there at that moment.
- This building was built many years ago.
- That mud hut was more comfortable than my building.
- I know these girls who took part in the tree plantation drive.
- Please, bring me those shirts.
- The bank manager granted me that loan?
- We cannot forget that incident that pleased us.
- This time I will not meet you.
Detailed explanations:
Ex– My daughter gave me this water bottle.
Explanation- In this example ‘this’ is a demonstrative adjective. It directly indicates a thing. We can have the specific description of the noun ‘water bottle’ through the example.
Ex- These apples are bought by me from the market.
Explanation-In this sentence the word ‘these’ is an example of a demonstrative adjective. It directly indicates the noun ‘apples’ here.
Ex- Those people were desperate to earn their livelihood.
Explanation- Here the word ‘those’ is used as a demonstrative adjective. It directly indicates or qualifies the noun ‘people’ here.
Ex- I could not manage to go there at that moment.
Explanation-In the above mentioned example we find the use of a demonstrative adjective. The word ‘that’ is an instance of a demonstrative adjective. It directly indicates or qualifies the noun ‘moment’.
Ex- This building was built many years ago.
Explanation- Here the word ‘this’ has been used as a demonstrative adjective. It directly qualifies the noun ‘building’.
Ex- That mud hut was more comfortable than my building.
Explanation- In the above example the word ‘that’ is a demonstrative adjective. It directly qualifies the noun ‘hut’ here.
Ex- I know these girls who took part in the tree plantation drive.
Explanation- In the above example the mention of a demonstrative adjective is seen. The word ‘these’ is a demonstrative adjective. It directly qualifies or modifies the noun ‘girls’.
Ex- Please, bring me those shirts.
Explanation- The above example has been used to show that the word ‘those’ is a demonstrative adjective; it has been used here to directly qualify the noun ‘shirts’.
Ex- The bank manager granted me that loan?
Explanation- Here the word ‘those’ is an example of a demonstrative adjective. It is used to qualify the noun ‘loan’ in a direct way.
Ex- We cannot forget that incident that pleased us.
Explanation- In this example we find the use of a demonstrative adjective. Here the word ‘that’ is a demonstrative adjective. It has been used here to directly qualify the noun ‘incident’.
Ex- This time I will not meet you.
Explanation-In this example ‘this’ is a demonstrative adjective. Its function in the sentence is to directly qualify the noun ‘time’.
Can indefinite pronouns be adjectives?
Indefinite pronouns refer to the pronouns that are not used instead of any particular person, place or thing. When a noun is placed after an indefinite pronoun it acts as an adjective. Then it qualifies the noun and works as an adjective.
Ex- Everyone attends the class.
Explanation-In the sentence the word everyone is used as an indefinite pronoun. It is non-specifically used instead of the noun.
(A).How is an indefinite pronoun an adjective?
An indefinite pronoun is used instead of a noun but an indefinite adjective is used before a noun or a pronoun to modify it. When the same word is used before a noun to modify it, it is an adjective. When it replaces a noun it is a pronoun. Both indefinite pronouns and indefinite adjectives are used in a non-specific sense.
Ex- We are having some bread for breakfast.
Explanation- Hindi above example the word ‘some’ is an indefinite adjective because it is used before the noun ‘bread’ and modifies it in a non-specific sense.
Ex- I like bread. Will I have some?
Explanation- Here the word ‘some’ is used as an indefinite pronoun because it uncertainly replaces the noun.
(B).Why can an indefinite pronoun be an adjective?
Indefinite pronoun can be an indefinite adjective because it can be used before the noun to modify it non-specifically. Therefore it is clear that an indefinite pronoun can be an adjective. Only the manner of usage is different.
Ex- Each of the boys is allowed in this place.
Explanation- Here the usage of an indefinite pronoun is found. The word ‘each’ works as an indefinite pronoun. It replaces the noun ‘boy’.
Ex- Each boy can perform well in sports.
Explanation- In the above example the word ‘each’ is used as an indefinite adjective because it is used before the noun ‘boy’ and it modifies the noun in an uncertain manner.
(C).When can an indefinite pronoun be an adjective?
When an indefinite pronoun is used as an adjective and modifies the noun that precedes it in a non-specific way it is called an indefinite adjective.
Ex- No amount of protest can change their minds.
Explanation- Here the word ‘no’ is an indefinite adjective and modifies the noun ‘protest’ in an uncertain or non-specific sense.
Conclusion
Through this article the readers will get enough knowledge on the right usages of indefinite adjective and indefinite pronouns.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.
