English Grammar | Adjectives from Nouns

Adjectives from nouns

Note : If a one-syllable noun ends in a consonant and the consonant preceded by a vowel, double the final consonant and put “y” at the end to make it an adjective.

Noun / Adjective

Sun = Sunny
Mud = Muddy
Fog = Foggy
Fun = Funny
Mug = Muggy
Bog = Boggy
Chat = Chatty

The list of American and British Spellings

American | British

Color = Colour
Glamor = Glamour
Labor = Labour
Neighbor= Neighbour
Rumor = Rumour
Honor = Honour
Behavior = Behaviour
Odor = Odour
Gray = Grey
Civilize = Civilise
Industrialize = Industrialise
Criticize = Criticise
Memorize = Memorise
Standardize = Standardise
Realize = Realise
Apologize Apologise
Catalog = Catalogue
License = Licence
Offense = Offence
Pretense = Pretence
Defense = Defence
Dreamed = Dreamed
Fulfill = Fulfil
Installment = Instalment
Enrollment = Enrolment
Skillful = Skilful
Dullness = Dulness
Judgment = Judgement
Argument = Arguement
Abridgment = Abridgement
Acknowledgment = Acknowledgement
Center = Centre
Caliber = Calibre
Fiber = Fibre
Meter = Metre
Theater =Theatre
Liter = Litre
Controled = Controlled
Controling = Controlling
Traveled = Travelled
Canceled = Cancelled
Equaled = Equalled
Signaled = Signalled
Signaling = Signalling
Esthetic = Aesthetic
Encyclopedia= Encyclopaedia
Medieval= Mediaeval
Anesthesia = Anaesthesia
Connection = Connexion
Reflection = Reflexion
Inflection = Inflecxion
Completion = Complexion
Burned = Burnt
Learned = Learnt
Spelled = Spelt
Leaned = Leant
Leaped = Leapt
Smelled = Smelt
Spilled = Spilt
Spoiled = Spoilt
Spelled = Spelt
Jewelry = Jewellery
Woolen = Woollen
Check = Cheque
Forever = For ever
Program = Programme
Specialty = Speciality
Story = Story
Tire = Tyre

Note : If an adjective/adverb ends with “y” preceded by a consonant in positive degree, “y” changes into “I” in comparative and superlative degrees and “er” added in comparative and “est” in superlative degrees.

Positive / Comparative / Superlative degree

Happy / Happier / Happiest
Easy / Easier/ Easiest
Busy / Busier / Busiest
Early / Earlier / Earliest
Quickly / Quicklier / Quickliest
Angry / Angrier / Angriest
Shy / Shyer / Shyest

Note : If “y” is preceded by a vowel, put “er” in its comparative and “est” in superlative degrees.

Grey / Greyer / Greyest

Note : If a one-syllable adjective/adverb ends with a consonant and preceded by a vowel, the final consonant is doubled and “er” is added in comparative and “est” in superlative degrees.

Fat / Fatter / Fattest
Big / Bigger / Biggest
Fit / Fitter / Fittest
Sad / Sadder / Saddest
Thin / Thinner / Thinnest
Slim / Slimmer / Slimmest

If a word ends with a single “e” or double “ee”, and only “r” in comparative and “st” in superlative degrees.

Brave / Braver / Bravest
Free / Freer / Freest

If the final consonant is preceded by two vowels, the final consonant is not doubled.

Cheap / Cheaper / Cheapest
Clean / Cleaner / Cleanest

Irregular comparative and superlative degrees.

Well/good / Better / Best
Much / More / Most
Little / Less/Lesser / Least
Far / Farther / Farthest
Bad / Worse / Worst

Note : The adjectives and adverbs which have got more than two syllables take “more” in comparative and “most” in superlative degrees to form their comparative and superlative degrees.

Beautifully / Most beautifully / Most beautifully
Expensive / More expensive / Most expensive
Comfortable / More comfortable / Most comfortable

Note : Some two-syllable adjectives and adverbs make their comparative and superlative degrees their either by their internal changes or by taking more and most.

Clever / Cleverer/more clever / Cleverest/most clever
Common / Commoner/more common / most common