Primeiros Adjetivos: Grande, Pequeno, Bom, Ruim
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'big', 'small', 'good', and 'bad' before a noun to describe its size or quality instantly.
- Place the adjective before the noun: 'a big house' (not 'a house big').
- Use 'is' or 'are' to link them: 'The cat is small.'
- These words never change for plural nouns: 'big dogs', not 'bigs dogs'.
Overview
good (bom) ou um filme bad (ruim)? Foi um big (grande) blockbuster ou um small (pequeno) filme independente?Big, small, good e bad são alguns dos primeiros e mais úteis adjetivos que você aprenderá em inglês.good (boa)? Seu apartamento é small (pequeno)?big (grande)? O trânsito está bad (ruim)? Essas palavras respondem a perguntas básicas e compartilham sentimentos.How This Grammar Works
- 1Antes do substantivo: O adjetivo vem diretamente antes da coisa que está descrevendo.
a big dog(um cachorro grande)a good idea(uma boa ideia)a small car(um carro pequeno)a bad day(um dia ruim)
a dog big. A ordem correta é sempre a big dog.- 1Depois do verbo
to be: Quando você está afirmando um fato sobre algo usandois,amouare, o adjetivo vem depois do verbo.
- The dog is
big. (O cachorro é grande.) - The idea is
good. (A ideia é boa.) - My car is
small. (Meu carro é pequeno.) - The traffic is
bad. (O trânsito está ruim.)
big. Simples, certo? É muito menos estressante do que tentar decidir o que assistir na Netflix.Gender & Agreement
- a
bigboy (um menino grande) - a
biggirl (uma menina grande) bigboys (meninos grandes)biggirls (meninas grandes)
Big nunca muda. Sem -s no final para plurais. Nada. Compare isso com o francês ou o espanhol, e você verá por que os aprendizes de inglês têm sorte aqui. É uma coisa a menos para se preocupar, como quando sua entrega de comida chega exatamente na hora.Conjugation Table
| Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
big (substantivo singular) |
I see a big cat. |
Eu vejo um gato grande. |
big (substantivo plural) |
I see big cats. |
Eu vejo gatos grandes. |
small (substantivo singular) |
She has a small problem. |
Ela tem um problema pequeno. |
small (substantivo plural) |
She has small problems. |
Ela tem problemas pequenos. |
good (substantivo singular) |
That is a good book. |
Aquele é um bom livro. |
good (substantivo plural) |
Those are good books. |
Aqueles são bons livros. |
bad (substantivo singular) |
He had a bad day. |
Ele teve um dia ruim. |
bad (substantivo plural) |
He had some bad days. |
Ele teve alguns dias ruins. |
Common Collocations
- Big:
bigcity,bigmistake,bigsurprise,bigdeal,bigbrother - Small:
smalltalk,smallworld,smallportion - Good:
goodmorning,goodjob,goodidea,goodluck,goodnews - Bad:
badday,badhabit,badmood,badnews,badtrip
small talk (conversa mole) com alguém que não conhece bem. Você parabeniza um amigo dizendo good job (bom trabalho). Você chama um grande evento da vida de big deal (grande coisa). Aprender esses pares é como obter um código de trapaça para soar natural.
Formation Pattern
a, an ou the).
big, small, good, bad).
a + good + book = a good book.
the + big + dog = the big dog.
to be (is, are, am).
The house + is + small. = The house is small.
The tacos + are + good. = The tacos are good.
Common Mistakes
- 1Posição Errada: Colocar o adjetivo depois do substantivo.
- ✗ A car
small. - ✓ A
smallcar.
- 1Adicionar
-spara Plurais: Lembre-se, os adjetivos nunca mudam.
- ✗ The dogs are
bigs. - ✓ The dogs are
big.
- 1Usando
Goodvs.Well: Este é um truque.Goodé um adjetivo; descreve um substantivo.Wellé um advérbio; descreve um verbo. Mas as pessoas costumam confundi-los na conversa!
- ✗ I speak English
good. - ✓ I speak English
well. (Descreve *como* você fala) - ✓ My English is
good. (Descreve o seu inglês)
Quick FAQ
P: Posso usar dois adjetivos juntos?
R: Sim! Você pode dizer
aAbordaremos as regras de ordem dos adjetivos mais tarde, mas por enquanto, apenas saiba que é possível.big,baddog.
P: big, small, good, bad têm opostos?
R: Sim! O oposto de big é small. O oposto de good é bad. Eles vêm em pares agradáveis e organizados.
P: Não há problema em apenas dizer Good. como resposta?
R: Com certeza. Se alguém perguntar, How are you?, uma resposta muito comum e normal é apenas,
Good, thanks. You?P: bad pode significar good? Como na gíria?
R: Você notou algo legal! Sim, às vezes em gírias muito informais, você pode ouvir alguém dizer que uma música é bad para dizer que é incrível. Mas isso é avançado e depende do tom. Por enquanto, use bad apenas para significar algo negativo. Você não quer dizer acidentalmente ao seu professor que a aula dele é bad!
Adjective Placement and Agreement
| Type | Singular Noun | Plural Noun | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Before Noun
|
A big house
|
Big houses
|
No 's' on 'big'
|
|
After Verb
|
The car is small
|
The cars are small
|
Adjective stays same
|
|
Negative
|
It is not good
|
They are not good
|
Use 'not' after verb
|
|
Question
|
Is it bad?
|
Are they bad?
|
Verb comes first
|
Common Contractions with Adjectives
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
It is big
|
It's big
|
It's a big dog.
|
|
They are good
|
They're good
|
They're good people.
|
|
It is not small
|
It isn't small
|
It isn't a small room.
|
|
That is bad
|
That's bad
|
That's a bad idea.
|
Meanings
These four words are the foundational building blocks for describing the physical size and the inherent value or quality of objects, people, and ideas.
Physical Size
Using 'big' and 'small' to describe the dimensions or scale of an object.
“The elephant is big.”
“The mouse is small.”
Quality/Value
Using 'good' and 'bad' to express approval, satisfaction, or the lack thereof.
“This pizza is good.”
“That was a bad movie.”
Importance/Severity
Using 'big' to mean important or 'bad' to mean serious.
“This is a big mistake.”
“I have bad news.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Attributive)
|
Adj + Noun
|
A good book.
|
|
Affirmative (Predicative)
|
Noun + is/are + Adj
|
The book is good.
|
|
Negative (Attributive)
|
Not a + Adj + Noun
|
Not a big problem.
|
|
Negative (Predicative)
|
Noun + is/are + not + Adj
|
The problem is not big.
|
|
Interrogative
|
Is/Are + Noun + Adj?
|
Is the pizza good?
|
|
Short Answer (+)
|
Yes, it is.
|
Is it big? Yes, it is.
|
|
Short Answer (-)
|
No, it isn't.
|
Is it bad? No, it isn't.
|
Espectro de formalidade
The quality is exceptional. (Reviewing a product)
It is very good. (Reviewing a product)
It's great! (Reviewing a product)
It's fire! (Reviewing a product)
The Four Basic Descriptors
Size
- Big Large size
- Small Little size
Quality
- Good Positive
- Bad Negative
Opposite Pairs
Where does the adjective go?
Is there a noun?
Examples in Context
Food
- • Good pizza
- • Bad apple
- • Big burger
Animals
- • Small cat
- • Big dog
- • Good boy
Exemplos por nível
The cat is big.
The cat is big.
It is a small car.
It is a small car.
The coffee is good.
The coffee is good.
This is a bad day.
This is a bad day.
A big apple.
A big apple.
The shoes are too small.
The shoes are too small.
Is the movie good?
Is the movie good?
He is a very good student.
He is a very good student.
The weather is not bad today.
The weather is not bad today.
They have two big dogs.
They have two big dogs.
It was a big mistake to leave early.
It was a big mistake to leave early.
The good thing is that we are safe.
The good thing is that we are safe.
I had a bad experience at that hotel.
I had a bad experience at that hotel.
Small businesses need our support.
Small businesses need our support.
That is a good point.
That is a good point.
The company made a big push into the Asian market.
The company made a big push into the Asian market.
It's not a bad idea, but we need more time.
It's not a bad idea, but we need more time.
He's a good man at heart.
He's a good man at heart.
The small details make the difference.
The small details make the difference.
We are facing a big challenge.
We are facing a big challenge.
The sheer scale of the project was too big to comprehend.
The sheer scale of the project was too big to comprehend.
There is a bad smell coming from the basement.
There is a bad smell coming from the basement.
He has a good command of the English language.
He has a good command of the English language.
The small print in the contract is crucial.
The small print in the contract is crucial.
It's a big ask, but can you help me?
It's a big ask, but can you help me?
The inherent goodness of humanity is a central theme.
The inherent goodness of humanity is a central theme.
The 'Big Four' accounting firms dominate the industry.
The 'Big Four' accounting firms dominate the industry.
He was caught in a bad way after the accident.
He was caught in a bad way after the accident.
The small-mindedness of the committee was frustrating.
The small-mindedness of the committee was frustrating.
It's a big world out there, full of opportunities.
It's a big world out there, full of opportunities.
Fácil de confundir
Learners use 'good' to describe how they do an action.
Learners use 'big' to describe a person's height.
These are very similar and often interchangeable.
Using the adverb form after a linking verb.
Erros comuns
The house big.
The big house.
They are bigs dogs.
They are big dogs.
It a good book.
It is a good book.
A smalls cat.
A small cat.
I am very good.
I am doing well.
The movie was badly.
The movie was bad.
It is a more big car.
It is a bigger car.
The good of the movie...
The goodness of the movie...
He is a big man (meaning tall).
He is a tall man.
A bad-quality product.
A poor-quality product.
Padrões de frases
The ___ is ___.
I have a ___ ___.
It is not a ___ ___.
Is the ___ ___?
They are ___ ___.
Real World Usage
This shirt is too small.
The food was very good.
He is a good driver.
Big day today! 🎓
I have good communication skills.
Bad weather expected.
I have a bad headache.
Is my bag too big?
The 'Very' Trick
No Plurals!
Opposites Attract
Not Bad
A vs An
Smart Tips
Use your hands! English speakers often use gestures while saying 'big' or 'small' to show exactly what they mean.
Use 'okay' or 'not bad'. It's a safe middle ground.
Check your adjective for an 's'. If you see one, delete it!
Remember that 'big' can describe events, not just objects.
Pronúncia
Big
Short 'i' sound like 'sit'. Do not say 'beeg'.
Good
The 'oo' is short, like in 'foot'. Not long like 'food'.
Bad
The 'a' is wide, like in 'cat'.
Small
The 'a' sounds like 'aw' in 'law'. The 'l' is a 'dark l'.
Emphasis
It is a BIG dog.
Stressing the adjective adds extra emotion or surprise.
Memorize
Mnemônico
B.S.G.B. - Big Stars Get Bright! (Big, Small, Good, Bad).
Associação visual
Imagine a giant (Big) holding a tiny mouse (Small) while eating a delicious cake (Good) that has a fly on it (Bad).
Rhyme
Big or small, short or tall. Good or bad, happy or sad.
Story
A big giant lived in a small house. He was a good giant, but he had a bad cold.
Word Web
Desafio
Look around your room. Find 3 things and describe them using these 4 words (e.g., 'Big bed', 'Small lamp', 'Good chair').
Notas culturais
Americans often use 'good' to mean 'doing well' when asked 'How are you?'.
British speakers might use 'not bad' as a high compliment, meaning 'actually quite good'.
In international business, 'bad' is often replaced with 'challenging' to sound more professional.
Most of these words come from Old English or Old Norse, reflecting the Germanic roots of English.
Iniciadores de conversa
Is your city big or small?
What is a good movie?
Is the weather bad today?
Do you have a big family?
Tell me about a bad habit you have.
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
Which one is correct?
The apples ___ good.
Find and fix the mistake:
They are smalls cats.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Is the movie good? B: No, it is ___.
Pick the quality word.
Un perro grande.
Answer starts with: A b...
Score: /8
Exercicios praticos
8 exercisesWhich one is correct?
The apples ___ good.
Find and fix the mistake:
They are smalls cats.
good / is / coffee / The
Big
A: Is the movie good? B: No, it is ___.
Pick the quality word.
Un perro grande.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesMy phone screen is very ___.
I like cat small.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Tenemos un día malo.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the items:
Don't make a ___ decision.
She drives a car big.
Which of these sentences is grammatically correct?
Translate into English: 'Nos gusta la música buena.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the adjectives with their opposites:
Score: /12
Perguntas frequentes (8)
Yes! You can use `very` before any of these adjectives to make them stronger, like `very good` or `very small`.
They are mostly the same. `Big` is more common in daily speech, while `large` is a bit more formal.
Usually, yes. However, in some very old slang, it could mean 'cool', but you should always use it as a negative word at the A0 level.
You say `a good` because 'good' starts with a consonant sound. You only use `an` if the next word starts with a vowel sound.
Yes, but be careful. `A big man` usually means he is wide or strong. If you mean he is tall, use the word `tall`.
In modern English, especially in the US, `I am good` is the standard response to 'How are you?'. `I am well` is more formal.
Yes! Just remember the adjective doesn't change. `Big dogs`, `small cats`, `good books`.
Yes, they are very similar. `Small` is more about the actual size, while `little` can sound more cute or emotional.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
grande, pequeño, bueno, malo
Word order is reversed and English has no gender agreement.
grand, petit, bon, mauvais
French requires gender/number agreement.
groß, klein, gut, schlecht
German has complex adjective endings.
大きい (ookii), 小さい (chiisai)
Japanese adjectives conjugate like verbs.
كبير (kabir), صغير (saghir)
Adjective follows noun and matches definiteness.
大 (dà), 小 (xiǎo)
Chinese uses 'hěn' as a structural link.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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