Adjective or abjective – which is correct? and an IELTS tutor, this is a question I often come across. The confusion between these two words is quite common, and it’s important to understand the difference in usage, to avoid making mistakes in your writing and speaking.
Let’s start with the basics. An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun. It adds information to the noun, giving it more meaning or making it more specific. For example, in the sentence “The beautiful flowers bloomed in the garden”, the word “beautiful” is an adjective that describes the flowers.
On the other hand, the word “abjective” does not exist in the English language. It is a common mistake that people make when they want to use the word “objective” in a negative context. “Objective” refers to something that is unbiased, fair, or based on facts and not influenced by personal feelings or opinions. For example, “The news article presented an objective view of the situation.” However, if you want to express the opposite, you should use the word “subjective”. “Subjective” means something that is influenced by personal opinions, feelings, or biases. For example, “Her review of the movie was subjective, as she didn’t like the genre.”
To further clarify the difference, let’s look at some examples:
1. Adjective:
– She wore a beautiful dress to the party.
– The book on the shelf is thick and heavy.
– The restaurant serves delicious food.
2. Subjective:
– His movie review was subjective, as he is a fan of the actor.
– Their decision to buy the house was subjective, based on their personal preferences.
– The article represented a subjective opinion, rather than objective facts.
As you can see, adjectives are used to describe nouns and add more information, while subjective refers to personal opinions or biases.
Now that we have established the correct usage, it’s important to understand the impact it can have on your IELTS exams. Using the wrong word can lead to a misunderstanding of your intended meaning and affect your score.
In the Writing and Speaking sections, it is essential to use adjectives correctly to help paint a vivid picture and make your writing or speaking more descriptive. On the other hand, using “abjective” instead of “subjective” can indicate a lack of vocabulary or understanding of the language, which may negatively impact your overall score.
In conclusion, the confusion between adjective and abjective is quite common, but understanding the difference is crucial. Adjectives describe or modify nouns, while subjective refers to personal opinions or biases. Using the correct word will enhance your writing and speaking skills and prevent misunderstandings. So, remember to choose your words carefully, and never use “abjective” when you mean “subjective”. Good luck with your English language journey!