We use adjectives to describe words - modify nouns and pronouns in order to provide more information about a person, thing, or place. This also makes your writing more interesting and helps you be more specific in expressing your thoughts.
Generally, we place 2-3 adjectives in front of a noun, but there are some rules that help us decide on the order of these adjectives.
Example
Explanation
My new leather backpack.
New and leather are both adjectives that modify the noun backpack.
Rule 1: We place opinion adjectives (nice, good, beautiful, etc. - those that express one's opinion) before fact adjectives (old, big, metal, etc. - those that provide factual information).
Example
Explanation
A beautiful wooden chair.
Opinion adjective beautiful comes before the fact adjective wooden.
Rule 2: We place general adjectives (old, hot, small, etc.) before more specific or identifying adjectives (wooden, Irish, layered, etc.).
Example
Explanation
Beaufort d’Ete is an expensive French cheese.
There are many expensive types of cheese (general adjective), but this particular one is French (more specific adjective).
Rule 3: We connect the final two adjectives with the word and if they come after a linking verb (be, become, feel, seem, etc.).
Example
Explanation
This cheese is delicious, local and unique.
The last two adjectives (local and unique) are connected with and because they come after a linking word is.
Rule 4: We connect two adjectives of the same type with the word and if they come before a noun.
Example
Explanation
Remember my white and yellow sneakers?
Adjectives white and yellow both express colors and come before the noun sneakers, so we connect them with and.
Note: The order of the adjectives black and white is fixed.
Although we rarely use more than 3 adjectives in a row, here's the complete rule on how to place them in order:
| Order | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | opinion | beautiful |
| 2 | size | small |
| 3 | physical quality | blond |
| 4 | shape | round |
| 5 | age | young |
| 6 | color | blue |
| 7 | origin | Italian |
| 8 | material | paper |
| Order | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | opinion | beautiful |
| 2 | size | small |
| 3 | physical quality | blond |
| 4 | shape | round |
| 5 | age | young |
| 6 | color | blue |
| 7 | origin | Italian |
| 8 | material | paper |
Quiz
1/4
Place the adjectives in the correct order. A ___ (big, red) car.
0
correct answers.