There are many words in the English Language that have different grammatical functions and forms. Let us explore this phenomenon a little more.
“Cute” can be regarded as an adjective depending on the context and also the way it is placed in a sentence, however, whether it is regarded as a verb or not shall be discussed further.
Let us explore a little more on this topic with the help of a few facts and examples.
When is “cute” an adjective?
As mentioned before a word like “cute” has a couple forms when it comes to grammar. Let us take a look at one of them.
“Cute” is considered as an adjective when it is used before a noun. Since adjectives are also determiners, “cute” must be used to determine the quality or appearance of the noun in question for it to be considered as an adjective.
Let us take a look at a couple examples on this topic.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. Riya is such a cute baby that she got selected for a baby powder commercial without even trying. | When a word like ‘cute’ is used in front of a noun, like in this sentence here, it is inevitably considered to be an adjective. |
| 2. We saw the cutest coffee shop on our way here so we should all go there one of these days. | Since the word ‘cutest’ here is used before a noun and helps the reader in absorbing more information about the appearance and quality said noun, it consequently functions as an adjective. The superlative form of the word ‘cute’ has been used in this case. |
Is “cute” a descriptive adjective?
There are many forms of adjectives in the English Language and “cute” is one of them. Let us take a look.
“Cute” is a descriptive adjective as it is primarily used to describe a certain quality of appearance of the nouns it is used in front of. More specifically, it lends a visual description of a particular state of being to the noun and that description is usually positive.
Let us look at a few examples of “cute” being used a descriptive adjective.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. My daughter brought me a very cute mug, on which she had also hand-painted, from her school’s pottery class. | Oftentimes adjectives do not need to be used right before nouns to describe them. As long as they seem to have a direct descriptive function in reference to a noun, even if used a few words after a noun, they are still considered adjectives, that can be seen over here through the way the descriptive adjective ‘cute’ has been used in this statement. |
| 2. The little girl had two cute bows tied up to her hair. | The word ‘cute’ here provides a descriptive quality to the noun it has been used in front of, consequently rendering more information about the state and appearance of said noun, making it, very obviously, a descriptive adjective. |
When is “cute” a descriptive adjective?
“Cute” is a descriptive adjective almost all the time. Since this particular word expands on the state or appearance of being of the noun it is used to describe, it functions only as a descriptive adjective. There are no exceptions to this case.
Let us look at a few more examples on this topic.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. That is a cute scrapbook you have got over there, mind if I take a look? | It is quite clear that the word ‘cute’ in this context functions as a descriptive adjective because it lends a descriptive aspect to the appearance of the noun it has been employed in front of, providing further information about the state or circumstance of said noun. |
| 2. Never have I seen a cuter toddler walking across a room to ask all the adults whether they want a candy or not. | The word ‘cuter’ serves as an adjective in this context since it is put before a noun and aids the reader in learning more about that noun. The comparative form of the word ‘cute’ has been used in this case. |
| 3. The couple-to-be learned a cute dance which they would be performing in front of all the attendees as a surprise. | When a word like ‘cute’, as it is in this instance, is employed to describe a noun, it is automatically regarded as a descriptive adjective. |
| 4. My art professor said that my painting is cuter than before but that it still needs a lot more details than it has now. | Sometimes, adjectives do not need to be placed before nouns in order to describe them. The usage of the descriptive adjective ‘cuter’ in this sentence demonstrates that adjectives are still considered to be words that appear to have a direct descriptive factor in relation to a noun. The comparative form of the word ‘cute’ has been used in this case. |
| 5. All mothers think that they have the cutest child in the world. | It is clear that the word ‘cutest’ in this case too serves as a descriptive adjective because it gives the noun it is used in front of a descriptive aspect, revealing more about its situation or state. The superlative form of the word ‘cute’ has been used in this case. |
| 6. The new actress is definitely cute but she does not have enough acting skills to establish herself in this industry immediately. | It is not always necessary to place adjectives before nouns in order to describe them. In this particular line, the descriptive adjective ‘cute’ shows that adjectives are still thought of as words that seem to have a direct descriptive role in relation to a noun. |
| 7. When I was younger my family owned the cutest dog in the world, his name was Bruno and I still miss him every day. | Once again, when a term, such as ‘cutest’ is used to describe a noun, as it is in this sentence, it is automatically recognised as a descriptive adjective. The superlative form of the word ‘cute’ has been used in this case. |
| 8. He is much cuter than I expected him to be so this obviously comes as a surprise to me. | Once again, oftentimes, adjectives do not need to be placed directly before nouns in order to describe them. The usage of the descriptive adjective ‘cuter’ in this sentence demonstrates that adjectives are still considered to be words that appear to have a direct descriptive factor in relation to a noun. The comparative form of the word ‘cute’ has been used in this case. |
| 9. The receptionist gave me this cute bell to ring in case I needed to call her to my aid. | In this given statement as well, it is quite abundantly clear that the word ‘cute’ in this context functions as a descriptive adjective because it lends a descriptive aspect to the appearance of the noun it has been employed in front of, providing further information about the state or visual quality of said noun. |
| 10. That cat sitting on the ledge is so cute! | Here too, the word ‘cute’ is employed to describe a noun, therefore, it is automatically considered to be a descriptive adjective. |
Is “cute” a verb?
Apart from being an adjective, the term “cute” may not have any other grammatical forms. Let us investigate.
“Cute” is a not a verb and can only ever function as an adjective. There are absolutely no exceptional cases wherein a word like cute maybe considered as anything other than an adjective.
Conclusion
Therefore, it can be concluded that the word “cute” can clearly only function as an adjective and not much else.
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