Limiting Adjectives definitions with Example Sentences in English

Limiting adjectives are words that restrict or define a noun rather than describe its qualities. They help us understand “which one,” “how many,” or “whose” something is. These adjectives include articles (a, an, the), numbers (one, two, three), demonstratives (this, that, these, those), possessives (my, your, his, her), and quantifiers (some, many, few). For example, in the sentence “That book is mine,” the word “that” is a limiting adjective because it specifies a particular book. In this article, we will learn more about Limiting Adjectives definitions with Example Sentences in English.

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Understanding Limiting Adjectives

Limiting adjectives are words that help to specify or limit the meaning of a noun. They answer questions like which one, how many, or whose. These adjectives make it clear what or how much we are talking about. Learn more about adjectives and their types

What Are Limiting Adjectives?

Limiting adjectives are words that restrict or specify the meaning of a noun rather than describe its qualities. They answer questions like:

Which one?
How many?
Whose?

Unlike descriptive adjectives (which describe qualities like color, size, or shape), limiting adjectives help to narrow down the noun being discussed.

Limiting Adjectives definitions with Example Sentences

Types of Limiting Adjectives

Limiting adjectives come in several forms. Let’s explore the different types with examples.

1. Articles

Articles are the most common type of limiting adjectives. They specify whether a noun is specific or general.

Article	Example Sentence
A	I saw a cat in the garden.
An	She bought an apple.
The	The book on the table is mine.

2. Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are words that point to specific people or things. They show which one or which ones we are talking about.

Demonstrative	Example Sentence
This	This car is very fast.
That	I like that dress.
These	These cookies are delicious.
Those	Those houses are old.

3. Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives are words that show ownership or possession of something. They tell whose item or thing it is.

Possessive	Example Sentence
My	My friend is coming over.
Your	Is this your phone?
His	His jacket is on the chair.
Her	I like her new shoes.
Its	The cat licked its paw.
Our	Our team won the match.
Their	Their house is big.

4. Indefinite Adjectives

Indefinite adjectives are words that describe non-specific people or things. They don’t tell the exact number or identity.

Indefinite	Example Sentence
Some	I need some water.
Any	Do you have any sugar?
Many	Many people attended the event.
Few	Only a few students passed the test.
Several	She bought several gifts.
Each	Each child received a toy.
Every	Every seat was taken.
All	All the cookies are gone.
No	There is no milk left.

5. Numerical Adjectives

Numerical adjectives are words that show the exact number or order of people or things. They tell how many or in what order something is.

Numerical	Example Sentence
One	I have one brother.
Two	She bought two tickets.
First	He finished in first place.
Second	The second chapter is interesting.

6. Interrogative Adjectives

The Interrogative adjectives are used to ask questions.

Interrogative	Example Sentence
Which	Which color do you like?
What	What book are you reading?
Whose	Whose bag is this?

Difference Between Limiting Adjectives and Descriptive Adjectives

Feature	Limiting Adjectives	Descriptive Adjectives
Purpose	Specify or limit the noun	Describe qualities of the noun
Example	This book, three apples	Red book, sweet apples
Question Answered	Which one? How many? Whose?	What kind? What type?