Adjectives are frequently descriptive. That is, most often adjectives are used to describe a noun, or distinguish the noun from a group of similar objects. For example, an adjective might describe the color of an object.

the red penthe blue pen

In Spanish, most adjectives change form, depending upon whether the word they modify is masculine or feminine. Notice the difference between "the tall boy" and "the tall girl."

el chico altola chica alta

Adjectives also change form depending upon whether the word they modify is singular or plural. Notice the difference between "the tall boy" and "the tall boys" ; "the tall girl" and "the tall girls."

el chico altolos chicos altos

la chica altalas chicas altas

Many common adjectives end in -o. These adjectives have four forms. The following words all mean "tall":

altoaltaaltosaltas

The correct form of the adjective depends upon the noun it modifies. Is the noun masculine or feminine? Singular or plural?

libro rojored book

pluma rojared pen

libros rojosred books

plumas rojasred pens

Notice how the endings of the nouns and these adjectives are similar.

libro rojopluma rojalibros rojosplumas rojas

Adjectives that end in -e also change form for singular or plural. To form the plural, simply add -s.

la chica inteligentelas chicas inteligentes

Adjectives that end in -e do not, however, change form for masculine or feminine.

la chica inteligenteel chico inteligente

las chicas inteligenteslos chicos inteligentes

Similarly, most adjectives that end in a consonant do change form for singular or plural, but do not change for masculine or feminine. To form the plural, add -es.

la chica popularel chico popular

las chicas populareslos chicos populares

Let's review. Adjectives that end in -o have four

forms: alto, alta, altos, altas

Adjectives that end in -e have two forms: inteligente, inteligentes

Most adjectives that end in a consonant have two forms: popular, populares (form plural by adding -es)

A. Choose the correct form of the adjective.

1.rojo

Hay una pluma _____ encima de la mesa.

rojorojarojosrojas

2. alto

La chica _____ está en la casa. altoaltaaltosaltas

3. pequeño

Hay tres libros _____ en la bolsa. pequeñopequeñapequeñospequeñas

4. poco

Hay _____ chicos en la clase. pocopocapocospocas

5. mucho

Hay _____ chicas en la clase. muchomuchosmuchamuchas

6. bonito

Hoy es un día _____. bonitobonitabonitosbonitas

7. guapo

Él es un hombre _____. guapoguapaguaposguapas

8. negro

Ella tiene pelo _____. negronegranegrosnegras

9. rubio

Él tiene pelo _____. rubiorubiarubiosrubias

10. simpático

Muchas personas _____ viven en Latino América. simpáticosimpáticasimpáticossimpáticas