Interrogative Adjective: Explanation, Definition, & Examples

What Is an Interrogative Adjective?

An interrogative adjective, also known as a determiner, is used to ask questions about a noun. It modifies a noun and is typically placed before it to inquire about which one, what kind, or how many. The main interrogative adjectives in English are what, which, and whose. They are used directly before a noun to inquire about specific information related to that noun, such as identity, choice, or ownership.

They help you ask thoughtful questions that lead to meaningful conversations and a deeper understanding of topics. Further, in the sections below, you will find an interrogative adjective definition and examples for reference and a better understanding. So read on!

Dictionary Definitions of Interrogative Adjective

1. As per Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an interrogative adjective is an adjective (such as which, what, or whose) used in a question to modify a noun.
2. Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines an interrogative adjective as a word used with a noun to ask a question about it, e.g., which in "Which book do you want?"
3. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an interrogative adjective is a word like which, what, or whose that is used before a noun to ask a question.
4. The Collins Dictionary specifies an interrogative adjective as a word, such as which, what, or whose, that is used before a noun to ask a question.

Examples of Interrogative Adjectives

Interrogative adjectives are words like "what," "which," and "whose" used to ask questions that modify nouns. Look at each example of interrogative sentence given below.

• Whose dress is this?
• What kind of books would you suggest for students of class 2?
• Do you know which class will be accompanying us for the trip?

Types of Interrogative Adjectives with Examples

There are three different types of interrogative adjectives in English: what, which, and whose. Each serves a unique purpose in forming questions by modifying nouns.

Key Points:

• A noun always comes after interrogative adjectives.
• Different kinds of interrogative adjectivesare used to gather different information about the noun they modify.
• Only what, which, and whose function as interrogative adjectives; other question words like who, why, when, and where do not.
• By using these interrogative adjective words correctly, you can form precise questions about identity, selection, or ownership.

Rules of Interrogative Adjectives

Interrogative adjectives are words like what, which, and whose that are used to modify nouns by asking a question about them. Here are the essential rules of interrogative adjective that you must keep in mind:

1. Always Used Before a Noun: Interrogative adjectives must directly come before the noun as they modify, forming a question about that noun.

• Example: Which dress do you prefer?
• Example: What color is your car?
• Example: Whose book is this?

2. Used to Inquire About Specific Details: They are used to gather specific information about a noun, such as identity, selection, or ownership.

• Example: Which route should we take?
• Example: What is your favourite sport?
• Example: Whose pen did the teacher take?

3. Can be Used to Ask Indirect Questions: These adjectives can also head indirect questions, which are questions embedded within a statement or another question.

• Example: "She asked me which book I was reading."

4. Choice of Question Adjectives Depends on the Type: 

Which is used when there is a limited or specific set of options.

• Example: Which movie do you want to watch? (From a particular set)

What is used for open-ended questions where options are not specified.

• Example: What subject do you like? (Any subject)

Whose is used to ask about ownership or relationship.

• Example: Whose car is parked outside?

5. No Change for Number or Gender: An Interrogative adjective does not change form based on whether the noun is singular or plural, or its gender.

• Example: Which student is absent? / Which students are absent?

6. Not Used as a Pronoun: Interrogative adjectives are always followed by a noun. If the word stands alone (not followed by a noun), it acts as an interrogative pronoun, not an adjective.

• Example: Which color do you want? (adjective)
• Example: Which do you want? (pronoun)

7. Not Used in Comparative or Superlative Forms: You cannot say "whicher" or "the most whose." These words do not have comparative or superlative forms.

These rules of interrogative adjective will help you in crafting clear and precise questions, especially in formal writing and during exams.

Examples of Interrogative Adjectives in Sentences

Interrogative Adjectives are used to inquire about the identity, choice, or possession related to a noun. Here are a few interrogative determiners examples to help you understand their usage in sentences.

1. Which book did you choose for the assignment?
2. What color dress are you wearing today?
3. Whose bag is lying on the table?
4. Which movie are we watching tonight?
5. What subject do you find most interesting?
6. Whose car is parked outside the house?
7. Which team won the championship last year?
8. What time does the train arrive?
9. Whose idea was it to organize the event?
10. Which restaurant serves the best pizza?

Interrogative Adjectives Worksheet

Here is an exercise of interrogative adjective to test what you have understood till now. You may read the instructions below and test your skills. Besides, an answer key is also provided at the end of the exercise so that you can check and analyze your answers.

Instructions: Fill in the blanks in each sentence with the correct interrogative determiners- which, what, or whose. Each blank requires only one word. Choose the most appropriate interrogative adjective based on the context of the sentence.

• ________ movie did you watch last weekend?

• ________ subject do you find the most challenging?

• ________ animal do you think is the fastest?

• ________ friend helped you with your homework?

• ________ car do you like better, the red one or the blue one?

• ________ idea was it to organize the picnic?

• ________ dress did you choose for the party?

• ________ shoes are lying near the door?

• ________ laptop kept on the table?

• ________ language do you wish to learn?

Answer Key

• Which

• What

• Which

• Which

• Which

• Whose

• Which

• Whose

• Whose

• What

Conclusion

To wrap up, interrogative adjectives are question words that describe or specify the noun they precede, helping to form questions. Besides, the blog covers everything about the topic along with common examples of interrogative sentences with answers rules, their types, as well as a worksheet for practice. If you still have doubts then you may seek professional help, as understanding interrogative determiners is essential, they are considered fundamental to mastering the language.

FAQs

1. What Words Are Interrogative?

Interrogative words, also known as question words, are used to form questions. Some of the examples include: who, what, where, when, why, which, whose, whom, and how.

2. How to Identify Interrogative Adjectives?

Interrogative adjective sentences can easily be identified by keeping in mind these three pointers:

• Look for the question word that includes "what," "which," or "whose".
• Check for a noun, see whether the question word is followed immediately by a noun.
• Verify that the question word is modifying the noun by asking a question about it.

3. What Is the Difference Between Interrogative Adjectives and Pronouns?

Interrogative adjective words and pronouns are both used to ask questions, but they function differently within a sentence. An interrogative pronoun replaces nouns in a question (e.g., "Who is coming?" or "What is your name?"). On the other hand, an interrogative adjective modifies nouns to form a question (e.g., "Which book do you want?" or "What time is it?").

4. Is 'Who' an Interrogative Adjective?

No, "who" is not typically considered an interrogative adjective. It is usually classified as an interrogative pronoun. Although it can be used to ask questions about people, but it doesn't modify a noun in the same way that an interrogative adjective does.

5. What Are Interrogative Adjective Words?

The terms that function as interrogative adjective words in English are "what," "which," and "whose". These words are used before nouns to ask questions and modify the noun's meaning.