This post helps us understand what a proper adjective is and how it is used in English.
What is a proper adjective in English?
Proper adjective definition: A proper adjective is a word that is formed from a proper noun. Since it comes from a proper noun, it has to be capitalized.
One might need to brush up on proper nouns to understand proper adjectives better.
We usually use a proper adjective to modify a noun in terms of where it comes from (the origination of the noun). Italy is a proper noun, and when we refer to something that comes from it, we use the proper adjective ‘Italian‘.
In the example “This is an Italian restaurant”, the word ‘Italian’ is a proper adjective that’s modifying the noun ‘restaurant‘. Associating it with the country Italy indicates that it (the restaurant) serves food that comes from or is prevalent in Italy.
A list of proper adjectives (places)
| Proper noun (countries) | Proper adjective |
| India | Indian |
| America | American |
| China | Chinese |
| Nepal | Nepalise |
| Korea | Korean |
| Pakistan | Pakistani |
| Germany | German |
| Bangladesh | Bangladeshi |
| Switzerland | Swiss |
| Spain | Spanish |
| Australia | Australian |
| Russia | Russian |
| Brazil | Brazilian |
| Britain | British |
| Denmark | Danish |
| Germany | German |
| England | English |
| Iran | Iranian |
| Greece | Greek |
| Japan | Japanese |
| Mexico | Mexican |
| Poland | Polish |
| Libya | Libyan |
Examples:
- Indian government takes very good care of its citizens.
- UFC has a lot of Brazilian fighters in the organization.
- My father loves Iranian movies.
- I am a huge fan of Chinese food.
- This cafe is famous for Danish cakes.
- Hrithik Roshan is called a Greek god.
- These people have come here to explore the Indian culture.
- I love Swiss candies.
| Proper noun (Region/continent) | Proper adjective |
| Asia | Asian |
| Africa | African |
| Europe | European |
| Middle East | Middle Eastern |
| North Africa | North African |
| South America | South America |
| Southeast Asia | Southeast Asian |
| Antarctica | Antarctic |
Examples:
- Most European countries are very developed.
- Chapati is a common type of bread in Asian culture.
- UFC has 3 African champions currently.
- Hausa is one of the North African tribes.
- He is often seen in Middle Eastern movies.
Eponymous Adjectives (Based on People)
Eponymous adjectives are proper adjectives derived from the names of real or mythical people. They are widely used in literature, science, politics, and philosophy.
| Name (Proper Noun) | Eponymous Adjective | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Darwin | Darwinian | Darwinian theory of evolution |
| William Shakespeare | Shakespearean | Shakespearean drama |
| Gautama Buddha | Buddhist | Buddhist philosophy |
| Karl Marx | Marxist | Marxist ideology |
| Sigmund Freud | Freudian | Freudian analysis |
| Queen Elizabeth | Elizabethan | Elizabethan architecture |
Examples:
- I strongly believe in Buddhist practices.
- Reading the Marxist theory would help you write the paper.
- My friend Tory is a huge fan of Shakespearean plays.
- You can’t completely be against the Darwinian view without knowing it completely.
Proper Adjectives From Historical Period or Culture
| Proper Noun | Proper Adjective |
|---|---|
| Renaissance | Renaissance |
| World War II | WWII-era |
| Victorian Era | Victorian |
| Rome | Roman |
Examples:
- She studied Renaissance art in college.
- The Colosseum is a great example of Roman architecture.
Practice set!
Identify the proper adjective and the noun it modifies.
- I bought a Swiss watch.
- She enjoys Victorian literature.
- He admires Shakespearean tragedies.
- This is an American company.
- We need a Buddhist perspective.
The answers to the quiz are provided at the end of the article.
❌ Common Mistakes with Proper Adjectives
Many learners misuse proper adjectives due to confusion with common adjectives or nouns. Here are some common mistakes:
1. Not capitalizing proper adjectives
- Incorrect: I love french fries.
- ✅ Correct: I love French fries.
- Incorrect: She enjoys japanese cartoons.
- ✅ Correct: She enjoys Japanese cartoons.
2. Using the proper noun instead of the proper adjective
- Incorrect: He is a Britain actor.
- ✅ Correct: He is a British actor.
- Incorrect: We bought a Mexico product.
- ✅ Correct: We bought a Mexican product.
3. Mixing or creating wrong forms
- Incorrect: She studies the Marx theory.
- ✅ Correct: She studies the Marxist theory.
- Incorrect: They teach Islam tradition.
- ✅ Correct: They teach Islamic tradition.
4. Treating brand names as common adjectives
- Incorrect: I bought a nike shoe.
- ✅ Correct: I bought a Nike shoe.
- Incorrect: He uses a samsung phone.
- ✅ Correct: He uses a Samsung phone.
Answers:
- Swiss → watch
- Victorian → literature
- Shakespearean → tragedies
- American → company
- Buddhist → perspective
FAQs
What is a proper adjective in English?
A proper adjective is an adjective formed from a proper noun and always begins with a capital letter. It describes the origin, nationality, or association of a noun.
Example: Italian food (from Italy).
Are proper adjectives always capitalized?
Yes, proper adjectives must always be capitalized because they are derived from proper nouns.
Incorrect: french wine
Correct: French wine
Is “English” a proper noun or a proper adjective?
It can be both.
Proper noun: I speak English.
Proper adjective: She teaches English grammar.
Is “Indian” a proper adjective?
Yes. “Indian” is a proper adjective formed from the proper noun “India” and is used to describe something or someone from India.
What’s the difference between proper and common adjectives?
Proper adjectives refer to specific names (always capitalized). Common adjectives describe general qualities.
Example: French cheese (proper) vs. soft cheese (common).
Can brand names be proper adjectives?
Yes, brand names can act as proper adjectives when they describe nouns.
Example: Nike shoes, Apple product — both “Nike” and “Apple” function as proper adjectives here.
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