Some adjectives can be used both attributively (before the adjective) and predicatively (after the verb). Some can only be used attributively and there are also some adjectives that can only be used predicatively.
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate adjective.
1. My ....................... sister is a detective.
Correct!
Wrong!
Before an adjective we can use elder or older with the same meaning.
2. He is ........................ than me.
Correct!
Wrong!
Elder and eldest cannot be used predicatively.
3. Do not touch a/an ....................... wire.
Correct!
Wrong!
Alive cannot be used attributively (before an adjective).
4. His grandparents are still ...............................
Correct!
Wrong!
Live cannot be used predicatively.
5. It is a pretty ............................ house.
Correct!
Wrong!
6. The house is very .......................
Correct!
Wrong!
Little cannot be used predicatively.
7. The baby is ..................................
Correct!
Wrong!
8. Let ............................... dogs lie.
Correct!
Wrong!
Asleep cannot be used attributively.
9. The ant climbed on to a ............................ leaf.
Correct!
Wrong!
Afloat cannot be used attributively.
10. The ship is ............................
Correct!
Wrong!
11. The ............................ child dreads strangers.
Correct!
Wrong!
Afraid cannot be used attributively.
12. The ........................ man was taken to hospital.
Correct!
Wrong!
Ill cannot be used attributively.
Answers
- My older / elder sister is a detective.
- He is older than me.
- Do not touch a live wire.
- His grandparents are still alive.
- It is a pretty little / small house.
- The house is very small.
- The baby is asleep / sleeping.
- Let sleeping dogs lie.
- The ant climbed on to a floating leaf.
- The ship is afloat.
- The fearful child dreads strangers.
- The sick man was taken to hospital.
