Category - English Grammar

A denominal adjective is an adjective that comes from a noun. It describes something by relating it to that noun. For example, in wooden table, the word wooden comes from the noun wood, and it tells us that the table is made of wood. Denominal adjectives help make sentences more specific and clear. Some common examples include golden ring (made of gold), childish behavior (like a child), and historical place (related to history). These adjectives make descriptions more interesting and meaningful. Let’s explore more denominal adjectives with examples! What Are Denominal Adjectives? In English grammar, adjectives describe nouns. Some adjectives are formed from nouns, meaning they are derived from a noun to modify another noun. These types of adjectives are called denominal adjectives. The word "denominal" means "from a noun," so denominal adjectives are adjectives created from nouns. learn more about Adjectives list For example: Wooden chair (The adjective "wooden" comes from the noun "wood.") Childish behavior (The adjective "childish" comes from the noun "child.") Monthly subscription (The adjective "monthly" comes from the noun "month.") Denominal Adjectives definition with examples Denominal adjectives help provide specific details about a noun’s origin, quality, or relation to something else. How Denominal Adjectives Are Formed Denominal adjectives are created by adding suffixes to nouns. Different suffixes give different meanings. Below is a table showing common suffixes used to form denominal adjectives: Suffix Example Noun Denominal Adjective Example Sentence -al Nation National She is proud of her national heritage. -ish Child Childish His childish behavior was annoying. -ous Danger Dangerous That road is dangerous to drive on. -y Rain Rainy It is a rainy day. -ic Hero Heroic He made a heroic effort to save the cat. -ly Friend Friendly She has a friendly nature. -ian History Historian He is a historian scholar. Types of Denominal Adjectives Denominal adjectives can be classified into different types based on their function and meaning. Here are the main types: 1. Material-Based Denominal Adjectives These adjectives describe the material from which something is made. Wooden table (from "wood") Golden ring (from "gold") Silken fabric (from "silk") 2. Time-Based Denominal Adjectives These adjectives indicate a time period or frequency. Daily routine (from "day") Weekly meeting (from "week") Yearly event (from "year") 3. Nationality-Based Denominal Adjectives These adjectives indicate the nationality or origin of something or someone. American culture (from "America") French cuisine (from "France") Italian fashion (from "Italy") 4. Quality-Based Denominal Adjectives These adjectives describe the qualities of a noun. Childish behavior (from "child") Foolish decision (from "fool") Heroic act (from "hero") 5. Relation-Based Denominal Adjectives These adjectives show a relationship between two things. Medical advice (from "medicine") Political debate (from "politics") Historical event (from "history") Common Mistakes When Using Denominal Adjectives While denominal adjectives are easy to use, students often make some common mistakes. Here are a few mistakes to avoid: 1. Confusing Adjectives with Nouns Incorrect: She is a fashion designer who makes fashion clothes. Correct: She is a fashion designer who makes fashionable clothes. 2. Using the Wrong Suffix Incorrect: That was a danger situation. Correct: That was a dangerous situation. 3. Forgetting That Some Nouns Cannot Become Adjectives Not all nouns have corresponding denominal adjectives. If an adjective does not exist, use descriptive phrases instead. Incorrect: She has a very booky personality. Correct: She has a personality like a bookworm. How to Identify Denominal Adjectives in a Sentence To find a denominal adjective in a sentence, follow these steps: Find the adjective – Look for words that describe a noun. Check its origin – See if the adjective comes from a noun. Look for suffixes – Check if the adjective has common suffixes like -al, -ish, -ous, etc. Example Sentences of Denominal Adjectives # Sentence Adjective 1 Denominal Adjective Noun 1 She wore a beautiful silk dress. Beautiful Silk Dress 2 He bought a shiny gold ring. Shiny Gold Ring 3 They live in a strong stone house. Strong Stone House 4 I need comfortable wooden chairs. Comfortable Wooden Chairs 5 He found a small silver coin. Small Silver Coin 6 She has a soft cotton shirt. Soft Cotton Shirt 7 He drinks from a clear glass cup. Clear Glass Cup 8 I love black leather shoes. Black Leather Shoes 9 She bought a warm woolen coat. Warm Woolen Coat 10 He gave me a thin paper bag. Thin Paper Bag 11 I wrote on a hard metal board. Hard Metal Board 12 She likes large plastic bottles. Large Plastic Bottles 13 He owns a red brick house. Red Brick House 14 I saw a tall bronze statue. Tall Bronze Statue 15 She made a golden royal crown. Golden Royal Crown 16 He loves thick velvet curtains. Thick Velvet Curtains 17 She bought a light linen dress. Light Linen Dress 18 The round clay pot broke. Round Clay Pot 19 He painted a brown wooden bench. Brown Wooden Bench 20 She used a long rubber band. Long Rubber Band 30 Denominal Adjectives with examples You should also learn Uncountable Nouns Consonance Definition and Examples Subject and Object definition and Examples in English List of all Punctuation Marks with Images and Usage