Adding Description

Today’s post comes from East Bay ESL’s new e-book, Back Pocket Grammar:  Adjectives.  Buy it on the Online Courses page.

Description explains how someone or something  looks or feels.  Here are some examples.  The descriptive words are bolded.

• Naomi is depressed because she lost her new white kitten.
  
• Charles tries to be helpful but he is actually quite distracting.
  
• Small pink flowers are growing around the ancient yellow house.
  
• The mummy wore tattered clothing and a frightened expression.
  
• The classroom was stuffy and crowded.
  
• Could you hand me a fresh towel?
  
• She looked delighted by the unexpected guest.
  
  

Description is important because it makes our stories precise and compelling.  For examples, you can see the difference in detail in the sentences below.

No description:  John is sitting on a bench.
Description: John is sitting on the new metal bench.

No description:  A bird flew above us.
Description:  A huge, sleek, black bird flew above us.

By using description, you have more control over how people understand you.  Descriptive words for people, places, things, or ideas are called adjectives.

Check back next week for more practice and lessons from Grammar Online:  Adjectives.