Explanation
Pronominal adjectives are those adjectives that may be used as pronouns. They are the ones that use pronouns as modifiers. In other words, if they stood alone they would be pronouns, but when attached to a noun, they become limiting pronouns.
e.g.:
Never really getting any real chances, the boy couldn’t convert on either opportunity.
In the example above, when used alone “either” acts as a distributive pronoun; however, in conjunction with the noun, it serves as a pronominal adjective.
What are Pronominal Adjectives used for?
Although both the Pronouns and Adjectives are two different parts of speech, a pronominal adjective takes the form of a pronoun while serving the function of an adjective.
The usage of pronominal adjectives is primarily governed by set grammar rules that help distinguish these adjectives from the pronouns that they mimic.
Essentially a pronominal adjective cuts down on redundancy in a similar manner as a pronoun does, but instead of replacing a repetitive noun, it usually replaces a determining term or phrase.
e.g.:
Instead of saying "the orange hat," one might say "that hat." The "that" in "that hat" is a pronominal adjective.
Types and uses of the Pronominal Adjectives
The pronominal Adjective can be divided into five different classes-
1. Demonstrative adjectives- These are the adjectives that are used to demonstrate something. Examples of such types of adjectives are- this, that, these, those, this dress, that bird etc
How to form Demonstrative adjectives
e.g.:
That student is the topper of Math
These students are my favorite in the school
2. Possessive adjectives- These are the adjectives used to denote ownership of a noun. Examples of such adjectives are my, our, your, his, her, its, there, my report, their house etc
How to form Possessive adjectives
e.g.:
Will you be my daughter in the show?
Their constant noise annoys me to no limit
3. Distributive adjectives-These are the adjectives that refer to each person, place, or thing separately. Examples of such adjectives are each, every, either, neither, either boy, neither girl etc
e.g.:
Every student in this class is a scholar
Each bag needs to be cleaned properly
4. Indefinite adjectives- These are the adjectives that point out no particular person, place or thing. Examples of such adjectives are some, any, all, few, several, many both, little, much, more, most, several pages, both sides etc
How to form Indefinite Adjectives
e.g.:
Many teachers of the school are exhausted
Several lessons we learn are not essential to life
5. Interrogative adjectives- These are the adjectives used to ask something or interrogate. Examples of such adjectives are which, what, whose, what number, whose wallet etc
How to form Interrogative Adjectives
e.g.:
Whose side are you taking in the game?
What number do you think the game will end at?
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