Limiting adjectives help narrow down which noun you’re talking about. Instead of describing the quality of a noun, they define it by showing quantity, ownership, selection, or emphasis. Words like “each,” “my,” “that,” and “some” don’t tell you how something looks or feels. They simply point out which one or how many you’re referring to.
For example:
- Each participant signed the form.
- That book belongs to the library.
- My notes are missing.
In these cases, the adjectives don’t describe the noun—they limit or specify it. That’s what sets them apart from descriptive adjectives.
Functions of Limiting Adjectives in Sentences
Limiting adjectives do not describe how something looks, feels, or behaves. Instead, they serve one clear purpose: to specify, identify, or narrow down the noun in a sentence. They answer questions like:
- Which one? → That car is mine.
- Whose? → Her phone was on the table.
- How many? → Few people noticed the change.
Unlike descriptive adjectives, which add qualities like color or size, limiting adjectives focus on definition and clarity. They are often essential to the meaning of a sentence because they tell you exactly which noun you’re referring to.
You’ll often see them used in everyday contexts:
- In instructions: “Use each item only once.”
- In questions: “Whose keys are these?”
- In explanations: “Some files were missing.”
Their function is simple but critical: they help the reader or listener identify the noun, not imagine it.
Types of Limiting Adjectives
Limiting adjectives come in several forms, each serving a slightly different purpose. While they all restrict or specify the noun, the way they do it depends on the type. Let’s look at the main categories:
Demonstrative Adjectives
These adjectives point to specific nouns and answer “which one?”
Examples: this, that, these, those
- This report needs editing.
- Those shoes are on sale.
Possessive Adjectives
These show ownership or possession.
Examples: my, your, his, her, its, our, their
- My schedule is full today.
- Their reaction surprised everyone.
Distributive Adjectives
These refer to individual members of a group.
Examples: each, every, either, neither
- Each guest received a welcome gift.
- Neither route is faster.
Indefinite Adjectives
These refer to non-specific quantities or amounts.
Examples: some, many, few, several, all, any
- Many people applied for the role.
- Some progress has been made.
Interrogative Adjectives
These adjectives are used to ask questions about nouns.
Examples: which, what, whose
- Which path did you take?
- Whose suggestion was accepted?
Numeral Adjectives
These indicate exact numbers or order.
Examples: one, two, first, second, ten, hundred
- She made two calls before leaving.
- He ranked first in the competition.
Each of these types helps limit a noun in a specific way—by pointing it out, showing ownership, indicating number, or raising a question.
Limiting Adjectives vs. Descriptive Adjectives
While both limiting and descriptive adjectives come before nouns, they serve different roles in a sentence.
Limiting adjectives define or restrict the noun by telling you which one, whose, how many, or what kind. They give factual or structural information rather than adding detail.
Descriptive adjectives, on the other hand, express qualities—like color, shape, mood, or size—and help paint a more vivid picture.
Let’s compare them:
| Sentence | Adjective Type | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| My bag is on the chair. | Limiting | “My” tells whose bag—it narrows it down. |
| The blue bag is on the chair. | Descriptive | “Blue” describes the appearance of the bag. |
| Each child received a gift. | Limiting | “Each” points to individual children. |
| The happy child smiled brightly. | Descriptive | “Happy” adds emotional detail. |
In many cases, a noun can have both types:
- My new phone is fast.
- “My” limits the noun.
- “New” describes the condition.
Examples of Limiting Adjectives in Sentences
Each of these sentences uses a limiting adjective to point out or define the noun that follows:
- This jacket fits better than that one.
- My notes were missing from the folder.
- Each student received a different topic to present.
- Some effort is better than none.
- Whose phone is ringing on the desk?
- Neither option seems practical.
- Ten volunteers signed up today.
- Their idea changed the direction of the project.
- Every page of the book was fascinating.
- Which restaurant did they choose for dinner?
FAQs About Limiting Adjectives
What is a limiting adjective?
A limiting adjective is a word that specifies or defines a noun rather than describing it. It tells you which one, how many, whose, or which kind. Examples include this, my, each, and ten.
How are limiting adjectives different from descriptive adjectives?
Limiting adjectives narrow down the meaning of a noun without adding detail. Descriptive adjectives provide qualities like color, size, or mood. For instance, my in “my book” is limiting, while blue in “blue book” is descriptive.
Can a noun have both limiting and descriptive adjectives?
Yes. Example: Her red dress was stunning.
“Her” is a limiting adjective (shows possession), and “red” is descriptive (shows color).
Are numeral adjectives considered limiting adjectives?
Yes. Words like one, five, first, or second are numeral adjectives and fall under limiting adjectives because they define the quantity or order.
Do limiting adjectives always come before the noun?
Typically, yes. Limiting adjectives usually appear directly before the noun they modify: those books, each day, his pen.