Interrogative Adjectives - Explore Meaning, Definition, Usage and Examples

You would probably know what the word ‘interrogative’ means. The words ‘interrogation’ and ‘interrogative’ refer to the action or procedure of questioning someone or about something in order to collect information. Now, let us see the meaning of an interrogative adjective, its definition and usage. Let us also have a look at the examples given in order to understand it better.

Table of Contents

What Is an Interrogative Adjective?

An interrogative adjective is a word like ‘whose’, ‘what’ and ‘which’ that is employed in order to modify the noun or the pronoun by asking a question.

Definition of an Interrogative Adjective

An interrogative adjective, also known as interrogative determiner, is an adjective that modifies a noun by asking a question. The interrogative adjectives in English are ‘what’, ‘which’, and ‘whose’.

Examples of Interrogative Adjectives

There are only three interrogative adjectives in English. Let us look at some examples of how each of them can be used in sentences to modify the noun.

Example 1:

  • Whose bag is this?
  • Did you find out whose keys those were?

Example 2:

  • What kind of books would you suggest for students of grade 8?
  • Do you know what sort of desserts Manu likes?

Example 3:

  • Do you have any idea which teacher would be accompanying us for the trip?
  • Around 5 movies were released in the theaters last Friday. Which movie would you like to watch?

Difference between Interrogative Adjectives and Interrogative Pronouns

Let us take a look at the following table to find out how interrogative adjectives differ from interrogative pronouns.

Interrogative Adjectives
Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative adjectives are those words which are used to modify a noun by asking a question. Interrogative pronouns, on the other hand, are used to substitute or replace a noun in a question.
An interrogative adjective is usually followed by a noun. Unlike interrogative adjectives, an interrogative pronoun is followed by a verb.
Examples of interrogative adjectives include what, whose and which. Examples of interrogative pronouns include who, whom, whose, what and which.
  • Which movie did you watch recently?
  • Do you know whose bags these are?
  • Which of these is your favorite dish?
  • Whose is this?

Test Your Understanding of Interrogative Adjectives

Identify if the underlined words in the following sentences are interrogative adjectives or interrogative pronouns.

1. Who was in that room?

2. Can you tell me whom I should contact?

3. Do you know whose vehicle is parked in B2?

4. Which of these did you find in the lost and found box?

5. What would you like to have for dinner tomorrow?

 

Let us check if you have understood the difference between interrogative adjectives and interrogative pronouns.

Answers:

1. Who was in that room? – Interrogative pronoun

2. Can you tell me whom I should contact? – Interrogative pronoun

3. Do you know whose vehicle is parked in B2? – Interrogative adjective

4. Which of these did you find in the lost and found box? – Interrogative adjective

5. What would you like to have for dinner tomorrow? – Interrogative pronoun

Frequently Asked Questions on Interrogative Adjectives in English

Q1

What is an interrogative adjective?

An interrogative adjective is a word like ‘whose’, ‘what’ and ‘which’ that is employed in order to modify the noun or the pronoun by asking a question.
Q2

What are the examples of interrogative adjectives?

Whose, what and which are the interrogative adjectives in the English language.
Q3

What is the difference between interrogative adjectives and interrogative pronouns?

The main difference between an interrogative adjective and an interrogative pronoun is that an interrogative adjective modifies the noun, and an interrogative pronoun replaces or substitutes the noun.

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