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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Can You Master Attributive and Non-Attributive Adjectives?

Test non-attributive adjective skills in this fun grammar quiz

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut art illustration for free grammar quiz on attributive and non attributive adjectives on teal background.

This quick quiz helps you sort attributive vs non-attributive adjectives and use them in the right spot. Play for quick practice with instant feedback; try more practice questions or start with an easier warm-up . Great for ESL study or a fast grammar tune-up.

Which of the following sentences uses the adjective attributively?
He felt blue about the result.
The children painted the sky blue.
The sky is blue.
A blue sky stretched overhead.
An attributive adjective appears directly before the noun it modifies. In "A blue sky," "blue" comes before and directly describes "sky." Predicative uses place the adjective after a linking verb.
Which sentence shows the predicative (non-attributive) use of "tired"?
They saw a tired runner.
The runner was tired after the race.
The tired runner crossed the finish line.
A tired runner joined the race.
In predicative use, the adjective follows a linking verb (e.g., "was") rather than preceding the noun. "Was tired" describes the subject via a linking verb.
In which sentence is "old" used attributively?
The car is old.
He felt old.
She is old enough to decide.
An old friend visited me.
"Old" appears directly before and modifies "friend," making it an attributive adjective. When it follows a linking verb, it's predicative.
Identify the sentence where "happy" is used non-attributively.
The child is happy.
She wore a happy smile.
The happy child sang.
A happy child played.
A non-attributive (predicative) adjective follows a linking verb like "is." Here, "is happy" is predicative.
Which sentence uses "green" attributively?
A green dress hung in the closet.
The grass is green.
The leaves grew green.
He looked green after illness.
"Green" directly modifies the noun "dress" by preceding it, so this is attributive use. Predicative uses follow a linking verb.
Select the predicative use of the adjective "ready".
The ready meal was tasty.
A ready meal is convenient.
She feels ready for the exam.
The ready mixture dissolved quickly.
"Feels ready" places the adjective after a verb, making it predicative. Attributive adjectives come directly before the noun.
Which adjective cannot be used attributively?
Tall
Fat
Large
Asleep
Adjectives like "asleep" only follow a linking verb and cannot precede a noun.
In which sentence is "main" used attributively?
The main theme was clear.
He considered the theme main.
The theme was main.
The theme is the main topic.
"Main" directly precedes "theme," making it attributive. It rarely appears after a verb.
Which sentence uses "sure" attributively?
Are you sure about that?
She is sure of herself.
They were very sure.
A sure solution emerged.
"Sure" precedes and directly modifies "solution," so it's an attributive adjective. Predicative adjectives follow a linking verb.
Identify the attributive adjective in this sentence: "The frightened birds flew away."
flew
away
birds
frightened
"Frightened" comes directly before and modifies "birds," making it an attributive adjective.
Which sentence uses "chief" attributively?
This is the chief.
The reason was chief.
The chief reason is clear.
He served as chief.
In "chief reason," "chief" directly modifies the noun, so it's attributive. Predicative would follow a linking verb.
Which adjective has a different meaning when used before a noun compared to after a verb?
Responsible
Green
Old
Happy
"Responsible" before a noun means trustworthy; after a verb it means liable for something.
Which sentence uses "alone" predicatively?
Alone students waited quietly.
She was alone in the room.
The alone girl spoke.
An alone appointment was scheduled.
"Was alone" follows the linking verb "was," so it's predicative. Attributive would precede the noun.
Which adjective is predominantly attributive and rarely used predicatively?
Utter
Busy
Tired
Ready
"Utter" normally appears before a noun (e.g., "utter disaster") and rarely follows a verb.
In which sentence is "ready" used attributively?
A ready answer was given.
He felt ready.
Ready, set, go!
She is ready for duty.
"Ready" appears directly before "answer," modifying it as an attributive adjective.
Which sentence shows the predicative use of "odd"?
He has odd shoes.
She wore odd socks.
The shoes are odd.
The odd man disappeared.
"Are odd" places the adjective after the linking verb "are," making it predicative.
Which sentence demonstrates attributive use of "apparent"?
He seemed apparent in his role.
The apparent delay frustrated him.
It became apparent that she was late.
She was apparent at the ceremony.
"Apparent" directly modifies "delay" when placed before it, making it attributive. Otherwise, it's predicative after verbs like "became."
Which adjectives cannot be used attributively? i. asleep ii. afraid iii. calm iv. tired
i and ii
ii only
i only
iii and iv
Both "asleep" and "afraid" follow linking verbs only and cannot precede nouns. "Calm" and "tired" can be attributive.
Which of these adjectives typically appears postpositively in fixed expressions rather than attributively?
Green
Galore
Old
Tall
"Galore" follows the noun (e.g., "treasures galore") and is rarely placed before it.
Which sentence correctly uses "awake" predicatively?
Awake, the students studied.
The students were awake during the lecture.
An awake student led the discussion.
The awake students listened.
"Were awake" follows a linking verb, marking predicative use. "Awake" before the noun is attributive.
Identify the predicative use of "alike".
They walked alike.
Their tastes are alike.
They found alike tastes.
The alike twins confused everyone.
"Are alike" follows the linking verb "are," making "alike" a predicative adjective.
Which adjective typically only appears attributively and is rarely used predicatively?
Possible
Happy
Entire
Tired
"Entire" usually precedes a noun (e.g., "entire book") and rarely follows a verb.
Which sentence uses "present" attributively?
They were present at the meeting.
The present situation is complex.
Present your report now.
He felt present in the moment.
"Present" directly before "situation" is attributive. Following a verb is predicative.
Which of the following adjectives can be both attributive and predicative but changes meaning depending on position?
Same
Green
Heavy
Responsible
"Responsible" before a noun means trustworthy; after a verb it means liable for something. This semantic shift doesn't occur with the others.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Attributive Adjectives -

    Gain a clear definition of attributive adjectives and see how they directly modify nouns to add descriptive detail.

  2. Identify Non-Attributive Adjectives -

    Spot adjectives used predicatively, recognizing when they follow linking verbs instead of preceding nouns.

  3. Differentiate Between Adjective Types -

    Compare attributive and non-attributive adjectives, highlighting their placement and usage differences for precise grammar.

  4. Apply Adjective Usage Examples -

    Practice with varied sentences to place adjectives correctly, reinforcing your understanding through real-world examples.

  5. Utilize Instant Quiz Feedback -

    Interpret immediate results from the attributive adjective quiz to correct mistakes and strengthen your skills in real time.

  6. Enhance Grammar Mastery -

    Measure your progress and boost confidence by challenging yourself with this fun, engaging grammar quiz format.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Attributive vs Non-Attributive Adjectives -

    Attributive adjectives appear directly before a noun (e.g., "a blue sky"), while non-attributive (predicative) adjectives follow linking verbs like be or seem (e.g., "The sky is blue"). This clear distinction is fundamental in Cambridge and Oxford grammar guides and helps in any attributive adjective quiz.

  2. Adjectives Limited to Attributive Position -

    Certain adjectives such as "mere," "former," and "main" can only function attributively ("a mere suggestion") and never predicatively ("*The suggestion is mere"). Learning these via adjective usage examples from Purdue OWL can prevent common errors in your grammar quiz.

  3. Adjectives Limited to Predicative Position -

    Some adjectives like "asleep," "afraid," and "alone" only occur non-attributively: "She is asleep" is correct, but "*the asleep child" is not. Recognizing these rules in an attributive adjective quiz boosts accuracy and confidence.

  4. Order of Multiple Attributive Adjectives -

    When stacking attributive adjectives, follow the OSASCOMP sequence (Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Color, Origin, Material, Purpose). For example: "a lovely little old rectangular green French silver whittling knife." Quizzing yourself on this order sharpens your grammar quiz performance.

  5. Hyphenation of Compound Attributive Adjectives -

    By Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster guidelines, compound adjectives preceding a noun are hyphenated: "a ten-year-old child" prevents ambiguity. Remember the rule: if it precedes, link with a hyphen, which is a handy mnemonic in many adjective usage examples.

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