Qualificatif

Qualificatif is a linguistic term used to describe a word or expression that attributes a property to a noun, thereby qualifying it. In French grammar, the qualificatif typically corresponds to what is widely called an adjective in English grammar, though the category can be broader in some descriptions. The core function of a qualificatif is to specify features such as color, size, material, origin, or evaluative judgments.

Morphology and syntax: Qualificatifs agree with the noun in gender and number (for example, un livre rouge, une voiture rouge; un homme grand, une femme grande). They can occur in different positions: before the noun (prepositive) or after (postpositive), and this position can subtly affect meaning or emphasis. Adjectives can also serve as predicates, following a linking verb (la pomme est rouge), where they describe the subject rather than directly modifying a noun in noun phrase.

Types and scope: Qualificatifs include descriptive adjectives (color, size, shape, material), as well as adjectives conveying evaluative or subjective judgments (bon, mauvais, formidable). They form part of the noun phrase and help distinguish referents, provide distinctions, or express appraisal. Some adjectives have multiple meanings depending on position or context, leading to nuanced interpretations (for example, ancien collègue vs. collègue ancien in French).

Usage and variation: The exact behavior of qualificatifs depends on the language and its grammar. In French, agreement and placement rules are central to correct usage, and a qualificatif can influence the overall sense of the noun phrase. See also: adjective, noun modifier, attributive and predicative usage.