Proper Adjectives for intermediate learners

nationality proper adjectives proper nouns

Proper adjectives are commonly used in English. They tend to modify nouns and pronouns. in this lesson, we will learn more about them.

intermediate advanced

What Are Proper Adjectives?

Proper adjectives are made from proper nouns. These adjectives are always capitalized and are used to modify nouns or pronouns.

Proper Adjectives: Function

As mentioned above, the major function of proper adjectives is to modify a noun. Take a look at some examples below:

I have a Scottish friend.

The Islamic Republic has been governing Iran for almost half a century.

Warning!

Please note that proper adjectives are always capitalized because they are made of proper nouns.

Proper adjectives can modify nouns and pronouns, or be subject complements in statements. Study the following examples carefully:

He is an Irish professor.

Here, the adjective is modifying a noun.

They are Christian.

Here, the proper adjective comes after a liking verb, therefore it is a subject complement.

Proper Adjectives: Types

Since these adjectives are derived from proper nouns, there are thousands of them in English. Take a look at the list below:

Nationalities: Italian, Irish, Japanese, Hungarian
Religions: Christian. Buddhist, Satanist
Cities: Chicagoan, Venetian
Famous People: Jacobean, Elizabethan, Victorian, Kafkaesque

Tip!

If you want to add a suffix to proper adjectives, a hyphen must be added between them. Look at the following examples:

Pre-Rafaelite period

Post-Structuralist thinking

The Differences Between Proper Adjectives and Proper Nouns

The main difference between proper adjectives and proper nouns is that proper nouns are the names of specific people, places, or things, while proper adjectives are derived from proper nouns. Proper nouns serve as the root words for proper adjectives, but proper nouns themselves do not have a root word. Study the following examples carefully:

I really enjoy watching German movies.

Here, the root word for 'German' is 'Germany' and it is a proper adjective.

Look at the beautiful London Tower.

Here, 'London' is a proper noun and has no root words.