Question 1

Do all Spanish adjectives have to agree with the noun?

Accepted Answer

Yes, almost all adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. For example, 'un perro negro' (a black dog) and 'una gata negra' (a black cat). There are a few exceptions, like colours ending in -e (e.g., 'verde' stays the same for both genders) and invariable adjectives like 'naranja' (orange) or 'rosa' (pink), which do not change. However, for the GCSE, you should always assume agreement unless you know the adjective is invariable.

Question 2

How do I form comparatives and superlatives in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

To compare two things, use 'más + adjective + que' for 'more... than' and 'menos + adjective + que' for 'less... than'. For example, 'Madrid es más grande que Barcelona'. For the superlative (the most/least), use 'el/la/los/las + más/menos + adjective + de'. For example, 'Es el libro más interesante de la biblioteca'. Remember that the article must agree with the noun. Also, some adjectives have irregular forms, like 'bueno' (good) becoming 'mejor' (better) and 'malo' (bad) becoming 'peor' (worse).

Question 3

What is an adjectival phrase and how do I use it?

Accepted Answer

An adjectival phrase is a group of words that functions like an adjective to describe a noun. In Spanish, it often starts with 'de' followed by a noun or noun phrase. For example, 'un chico de pelo rizado' (a curly-haired boy) or 'una casa de madera' (a wooden house). These phrases are very common and help you describe things more precisely. They do not change form – the noun after 'de' stays as is. Use them to add detail without needing a separate adjective.

Question 4

Why do some adjectives go before the noun in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, most adjectives go after the noun, but some common adjectives can go before for emphasis or to change meaning slightly. For example, 'bueno' (good) can become 'un buen amigo' (a good friend) instead of 'un amigo bueno', which might sound like 'a friend who is good' (morally). Other adjectives like 'grande' (big) can become 'un gran hombre' (a great man) vs 'un hombre grande' (a big man). For the GCSE, it's safer to place adjectives after unless you are sure of the exception.

Question 5

How can I remember adjective endings for feminine and plural?

Accepted Answer

A simple rule: for feminine, change the -o to -a (e.g., 'rojo' becomes 'roja'). For plural, add -s (e.g., 'rojos' for masculine plural, 'rojas' for feminine plural). If the adjective ends in -e (like 'verde'), it stays the same for both genders but adds -s for plural ('verdes'). If it ends in a consonant (like 'azul'), add -es for plural ('azules'). Practice with common nouns and adjectives until it becomes automatic.

Question 6

What are some common mistakes with adjectives in the GCSE writing exam?

Accepted Answer

The most common mistakes are forgetting agreement (e.g., 'las casas bonito' instead of 'bonitas'), placing adjectives before the noun unnecessarily, and using the wrong form of 'más' or 'menos' in comparatives. Also, students often forget to use the definite article in superlatives (e.g., 'Es más interesante de la clase' instead of 'Es el más interesante de la clase'). To avoid these, always check the noun first, then choose the correct adjective ending, and review your comparatives and superlatives carefully.

Grammar: Adjectives and adjectival phrases

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Related Topics in EDEXCEL GCSE Spanish

Grammar: Adverbs and adverbial phrases

Grammar: Derivational morphology

Grammar: Nouns, pronouns and determiners

Grammar: Prepositions

How to Revise Grammar: Adjectives and adjectival phrases — Edexcel GCSE Spanish

Examiner Tips for Grammar: Adjectives and adjectival phrases

Common Mistakes in Grammar: Adjectives and adjectival phrases

Key Marking Points