What Are Limiting Adjectives?

Do limiting adjectives confuse you? If so, you’re not alone! Limiting adjectives, also known as determiners, are tricky bits of English grammar that baffle even fluent English speakers. In this post, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about limiting adjectives. You’ll learn what they are, their various types, and how to use them effectively to add precision and clarity to your writing.

Understanding limiting adjectives is especially helpful if you proofread documents written by ESL clients. As English is not their first language, some clients might not use these adjectives correctly in their writing.

What Is a Limiting Adjective?

Before we define limiting adjectives, it’s essential to be familiar with the standard order of adjectives. In English, the adjective precedes the noun it is modifying. For example:

I own a fast car. 

The yellow sweater is on the chair.

Here, the adjectives “fast” and “yellow” modify the nouns “car” and “jumper.” These are examples of descriptive adjectives. They describe the attributes, characteristics, or qualities of a noun.

Limiting adjectives, by contrast, are words that modify nouns by providing additional information about quantity, specificity, definiteness, or possession. They limit the extent of the noun’s meaning within a particular context. For example:

Mike has several friends.

Anne chose three books at the library.

In the first example, the adjective “several” limits information about Mike’s friends. We learn that Mike has more than one friend; however, we don’t know any other information about his friends that would help us describe them. In the second example, we learn that Anne chose three books, but we don’t have any further information about them – their genre, color, size, or any other characteristic.

Types of Limiting Adjectives

Limiting adjectives can be categorized into several types, each serving a distinct purpose in modifying nouns:

1. Articles
2. Demonstratives
3. Quantifiers 
4. Possessives
5. Interrogatives

Let’s take a look at each type in detail.

1. Articles

There are two types of articles: definite and indefinite. “A” and “an” are indefinite articles and refer to non-specific or singular nouns. “The” is the definite article and indicates a specific noun. Here are some examples of definite and indefinite articles:

I went to the best restaurant in town.

I’m looking for a good song on Spotify.

Skydiving is an amazing experience, which you should try.

Notice that “a” precedes adjectives beginning with a consonant; “an” precedes adjectives beginning with a vowel.

English learners often have trouble recognizing the difference between indefinite and definite articles. Part of this is due to differentiating countable from uncountable nouns.

2. Demonstratives

Demonstrative adjectives describe the position of the noun in space or time. The most common demonstrative adjectives are “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” The adjective you use depends on whether the noun is singular or plural and whether it is near or far away. “This” and “these” refer to objects or people that are near; “that” and “those” refer to objects or people that are further away.

Let us consider a couple of examples:

I want this meal.

Here we have a singular noun, “meal,” which is close in proximity – so we use “this.”

I know those men. 

This time, we have a plural noun, “men,” and they are far away in proximity – so we use “those.”

3. Quantifiers

Quantifying adjectives specify the quantity or amount of a noun. Examples include words such as “some,” “any,” “many,” “few,” “several,” “all,” “most,” “no,” and “none.” Here are some examples of quantifying adjectives:

My writing has no errors.

I haven’t got any pets.

Some people like coffee.

Many tourists visit Barcelona.

We can also use cardinal and ordinal numbers to limit nouns to specific amounts as adjectives. Cardinal number examples include five, ten, fifty, and one thousand. For example:

We have ten paintings in our house.

Ordinal numbers can be first, second, tenth, and twentieth. For example:

This is the third time you’ve been late for class this month.

4. Possessives

Possessive adjectives indicate ownership or relationship. They include “my,” “your,” “his,” “her,” “its,” “our,” “whose,” and “their.” For instance:

This is my cat.

Jerry is our son.

Her shoes are by the door.

5. Interrogatives

Interrogative adjectives restrict nouns by posing a direct or indirect question about them. They include “whose,” “what,” and “which.” “What” is typically used when there are a wide range of possible answers or when the options are unknown. “Which” is used when the range of possible answers is more limited or when the options are known. Here are some examples:

Whose wallet is this?

Which movie did you see recently?

What kind of appetizers would you suggest for a dinner party?

How To Use Limiting Adjectives

Using limiting adjectives effectively can significantly enhance the clarity and precision of a piece of writing. You can use this knowledge when proofreading adjective-heavy documents.

1. Consider the Context

Choose the appropriate limiting adjective based on the context and the specific information you want to convey. Pay attention to whether the noun is singular or plural, definite or indefinite, and whether it requires a specific quantity or quality.

2. Consider the Purpose

Are you providing a description of the noun or limited information about it? Descriptive adjectives are more appropriate for describing qualities or attributes of a noun; limiting adjectives are best for limiting the extent of a noun’s meaning.

3. Don’t Overdo It

While limiting adjectives can provide valuable information, overusing them can clutter your writing, resulting in overwriting and wordiness. Use them sparingly to maintain readability.

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