Adjectives are an essential part of the English language. They add detail and specificity to nouns, making our sentences more interesting and informative. However, understanding the correct position of adjectives in sentences can be a challenging task for language learners. This article aims to demystify the rules and patterns surrounding the placement of adjectives, providing you with a comprehensive guide to mastering this aspect of English grammar.
Basic Position: Before the Noun
In English, the most common position for an adjective is directly before the noun it modifies. This is known as the attributive position. For example:
– She has a beautiful house.
– He wore a red shirt.
– They adopted a small dog.
In these sentences, the adjectives “beautiful,” “red,” and “small” come directly before the nouns “house,” “shirt,” and “dog,” respectively. This is the default position for adjectives in English.
Postpositive Adjectives
While the attributive position is the most common, adjectives can also appear after the noun in certain circumstances. This position is known as the postpositive position. Postpositive adjectives are often found in the following contexts:
1. In Certain Fixed Expressions
Some fixed expressions and titles in English use postpositive adjectives. For example:
– The president elect will take office in January.
– The only option available was to leave.
In these cases, the adjectives “elect” and “available” come after the nouns “president” and “option.”
2. With Indefinite Pronouns
When using indefinite pronouns such as “something,” “anything,” “nothing,” or “someone,” the adjective typically follows the pronoun. For example:
– Is there anything interesting on TV?
– She wants to eat something sweet.
Here, the adjectives “interesting” and “sweet” follow the pronouns “anything” and “something.”
3. In Legal and Formal Language
Postpositive adjectives are sometimes used in legal and formal contexts, often following the noun they modify. For example:
– The attorney general announced new regulations.
– The heir apparent to the throne is Prince Charles.
In these sentences, “general” and “apparent” follow the nouns “attorney” and “heir.”
Predicate Position: After a Linking Verb
Another common position for adjectives is after a linking verb, where they serve as a predicate adjective. Linking verbs include “to be,” “seem,” “become,” “appear,” and others. For example:
– The sky is blue.
– She seems happy.
– He became angry.
In these examples, the adjectives “blue,” “happy,” and “angry” follow the linking verbs “is,” “seems,” and “became,” and describe the subject of the sentence.
Ordering Multiple Adjectives
When using more than one adjective to describe a noun, it is important to follow a specific order. Native speakers of English typically follow this order intuitively, but it can be tricky for language learners. The general order of adjectives is as follows:
1. Quantity or number
2. Quality or opinion
3. Size
4. Age
5. Shape
6. Color
7. Proper adjective (often nationality, other place of origin, or material)
8. Purpose or qualifier
For example:
– She bought three (quantity) beautiful (quality) small (size) antique (age) round (shape) Italian (origin) wooden (material) tables.
While it is rare to see a noun described by so many adjectives in everyday speech, this example demonstrates the correct order. It is important to note that this order is not rigid, and in some cases, certain adjectives may be placed differently for emphasis or style.
Adjectives with Adverbs
Adjectives are often modified by adverbs, which provide additional information about the degree or manner of the adjective. Adverbs typically come before the adjective they modify. For example:
– The movie was extremely interesting.
– She is very talented.
– He is quite tall.
In these sentences, the adverbs “extremely,” “very,” and “quite” modify the adjectives “interesting,” “talented,” and “tall,” respectively.
Adjectives in Comparative and Superlative Forms
When using adjectives in their comparative or superlative forms, the position of the adjective can change depending on the structure of the sentence.
1. Attributive Position
In the attributive position, comparative and superlative adjectives come before the noun. For example:
– She has a bigger house than mine.
– He wore the smallest shirt he could find.
In these examples, the comparative adjective “bigger” and the superlative adjective “smallest” come before the nouns “house” and “shirt.”
2. Predicate Position
In the predicate position, comparative and superlative adjectives follow a linking verb. For example:
– Her house is bigger than mine.
– This shirt is the smallest I have ever seen.
In these sentences, the adjectives “bigger” and “smallest” follow the linking verbs “is.”
Adjectives with Nouns Acting as Adjectives
Sometimes, nouns can act as adjectives to modify other nouns. In such cases, the noun acting as an adjective typically comes before the main noun. For example:
– I need a coffee cup.
– They visited the history museum.
Here, the nouns “coffee” and “history” function as adjectives to modify the nouns “cup” and “museum.”
Adjectives in Idiomatic Expressions
Certain idiomatic expressions in English use adjectives in specific positions that may not follow the general rules. For example:
– She is head over heels in love.
– He is a jack of all trades.
In these expressions, “head over heels” and “jack of all trades” are idiomatic and do not follow the standard adjective placement rules.
Position of Adjectives in Questions
When forming questions, the position of adjectives can vary depending on the structure of the question. In general, adjectives follow the noun in questions with a linking verb. For example:
– What color is the sky?
– How tall is he?
In these questions, the adjectives “color” and “tall” follow the nouns “sky” and “he.”
Position of Adjectives in Relative Clauses
In relative clauses, adjectives can appear before or after the noun they modify, depending on whether the adjective is part of the relative clause. For example:
– The book that is interesting is on the table.
– The interesting book is on the table.
In the first sentence, the adjective “interesting” is part of the relative clause “that is interesting” and follows the noun “book.” In the second sentence, the adjective “interesting” is in the attributive position before the noun “book.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Language learners often make mistakes with the position of adjectives in sentences. Here are some common mistakes and tips on how to avoid them:
1. Incorrect Order of Multiple Adjectives
Incorrect: She has a red, small car.
Correct: She has a small, red car.
Remember to follow the general order of adjectives: size before color.
2. Misplacing Adjectives with Indefinite Pronouns
Incorrect: She wants to eat sweet something.
Correct: She wants to eat something sweet.
Adjectives should follow indefinite pronouns.
3. Misplacing Adjectives in Predicate Position
Incorrect: The sky blue is.
Correct: The sky is blue.
Adjectives should follow linking verbs in the predicate position.
4. Incorrect Placement in Comparative and Superlative Forms
Incorrect: She has a house bigger.
Correct: She has a bigger house.
In the attributive position, comparative and superlative adjectives should come before the noun.
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of the position of adjectives in sentences, try the following practice exercises:
Exercise 1: Identify the Position
Identify whether the adjectives in the following sentences are in the attributive, postpositive, or predicate position:
1. The tall man walked into the room.
2. She is someone special.
3. The flowers are beautiful.
Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes
Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
1. She wore a dress blue.
2. He bought a wooden old table.
3. They saw something amazing.
Exercise 3: Order the Adjectives
Put the adjectives in the correct order:
1. She has a (Italian, old, beautiful) necklace.
2. They adopted a (small, black, adorable) puppy.
3. He bought a (large, round, wooden) table.
Conclusion
Understanding the position of adjectives in sentences is crucial for mastering English grammar. By familiarizing yourself with the rules and patterns outlined in this article, you can improve your ability to use adjectives correctly and effectively. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the placement of adjectives in the sentences you read and hear. With time and practice, you will become more confident in your use of adjectives, making your English more precise and engaging.
