English as a Second Language | The Environment

Welcome to the Chapter: Adjectives and The Environment!

Hello everyone! In this chapter, we are going to master one of the most useful parts of speech: Adjectives. Why are adjectives so important when we talk about the environment?

The environment is full of details! To discuss climate change, conservation, and pollution, you need words that describe things clearly.
Adjectives are the tools you use to describe a pristine forest, a dangerous oil spill, or a sustainable solution. Let’s get started and make your English descriptions much more powerful!

Section 1: What Adjectives Do and Environmental Vocabulary

Defining the Adjective

A simple way to remember it: An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun (a person, place, or thing).

Think of adjectives as the 'paint' for your sentences. If the noun is the object (a box), the adjective tells you the color, size, or condition (a heavy, green, old box).

Key Environmental Adjectives to Learn

It is vital to learn these words so you can discuss environmental issues accurately.

• Polluted: Describes air, water, or land that is dirty and harmful.
  Example: The government is trying to clean up the polluted river.
• Sustainable: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; often used for practices that don't damage the future.
  Example: We need to find sustainable energy sources, like solar power.
• Renewable: Resources that are naturally replenished (made new again).
  Example: Wind and sunlight are renewable sources.
• Toxic / Harmful: Poisonous or dangerous to living things.
  Example: Dumping toxic waste is illegal.
• Prone: Likely or liable to suffer from something.
  Example: The coastal region is prone to flooding.
• Global: Relating to the whole world.
  Example: Global warming is a challenge for every country.

Quick Tip for Long Words: Don't worry if words like 'sustainable' seem long. Break them down: 'Sustain' (keep going) + 'able' (can do). Practice using them in simple sentences first!

Key Takeaway (Section 1)

Adjectives give specific details about environmental nouns (e.g., dangerous chemicals, clean water).

Section 2: Where Do Adjectives Go? (Position)

In English, adjectives usually have one of two main positions in a sentence. Knowing these positions will help you sound natural and correct.

1. Attributive Position (Before the Noun)

This is the most common position. The adjective comes directly before the noun it describes.

Rule: Adjective + Noun

Example 1: They studied the rapid population growth.
Example 2: Protecting endangered species is crucial.
Example 3: We need to create a safer environment.

Did you know? Sometimes, we use two or three adjectives together before a noun (e.g., a big, old, wooden boat). When listing adjectives, we often separate them with a comma (or 'and').

2. Predicative Position (After the Verb)

The adjective comes after a linking verb, usually a form of to be (is, am, are, was, were). It describes the subject of the sentence.

Rule: Noun / Subject + Linking Verb + Adjective

Example 1: The air is polluted.
Example 2: Many natural habitats are threatened.
Example 3: That solution seems sustainable. (Here, 'seems' is a linking verb.)

Common Mistake to Avoid

Do not confuse the position of adjectives with adverbs!

Wrong: The environmental changes are serious quickly. (Use an adverb: The changes are happening quickly.)
Correct: The environmental changes are serious. (Use an adjective after 'are'.)

Section 3: Comparing the Environment (Degrees of Comparison)

We often need to compare environmental conditions, problems, or solutions. We use comparative and superlative adjectives for this.

1. Comparative Adjectives

Used when comparing two things, places, or ideas. We usually use the word than after the comparative adjective.

Rule 1: Short Adjectives (1 or 2 syllables ending in -y)

Add -er to the end.

• Small → smaller (Conservation areas are smaller than national parks.)
• Hot → hotter (The summers are getting hotter than last decade.)
• Dirty → dirtier (Remember to change 'y' to 'i'!) (This area is dirtier than the city centre.)

Rule 2: Long Adjectives (2 or more syllables)

Use the word more before the adjective.

• Important → more important (Protecting the oceans is more important than cutting down the forest.)
• Dangerous → more dangerous (The chemicals are more dangerous than we thought.)

2. Superlative Adjectives

Used when comparing three or more things, showing which is the top, bottom, biggest, or best. We always use the word the before the superlative form.

Rule 1: Short Adjectives

Add -est to the end.

• Clean → the cleanest (Norway has the cleanest air in the region.)
• High → the highest (This year had the highest temperatures ever recorded.)

Rule 2: Long Adjectives

Use the word most before the adjective.

• Polluted → the most polluted (This river is the most polluted body of water in the country.)
• Biodegradable → the most biodegradable (This material is the most biodegradable packaging available.)

3. Irregular Adjectives (A few exceptions!)

These are very common, so you must memorize them! They do not follow the -er/-est or more/most rules.

Base Form	Comparative	Superlative
Good	Better	The Best
Bad	Worse	The Worst
Far	Farther / Further	The Farthest / The Furthest

Example: The recent report shows worse damage than the previous one.

A Common Mistake (Avoid Double Comparison!)

Never use more and -er together, or most and -est together. This is a very common error for ESL students.

Wrong: The air is more cleaner now.
Correct: The air is cleaner now.

Wrong: This is the most easiest solution.
Correct: This is the easiest solution.

Key Takeaway (Section 3)

Use Comparatives (-er or more) when comparing two. Use Superlatives (-est or most) when comparing three or more.

Final Encouragement and Practice

You have successfully covered the core rules for adjectives related to the environment! Don't worry if all the rules seem tricky at first. The best way to learn is through practice.

Try describing the environment around your school, your city, or your home using only the adjectives you have learned (e.g., My city is noisier than the village. The local park is small but clean.)

Keep going – mastering these descriptive words will significantly improve your writing and speaking in your International GCSE exams!

Good luck with your studies!