Position of Adjectives
The article covers the basic rules of adjective order and provides examples to illustrate their usage in context. This resource is valuable for students and writers seeking to improve their English language skills.
adjective + noun
subject + copula verb (be seem, look etc) + adjective
1-Most adjectives can go in two places in a sentence:
a-before a noun
- The new secretary doesn't 11ke me.
- She married a rich businessman.
b-after a 'copula verb' (be, seem, look, appear, feel and some other verbs)
- That dress is new, isn't it? He looks rich.
2-A few adjectives can go before a noun, but not usually after a verb.
Examples are elder, eldest, and little. After a verb, we use older, oldest, and small.
- My elder brother lives in Newcastle. (Compare: He's three years older than me.)
- He's a funny little boy. (Compare: He looks very small.)
3-Some adjectives can go after a verb, but not usually before a noun.
The most common are ill, well and afraid, alive, alone, asleep. Before nouns we use sick, healthy, frightened, living, lone, sleeping.
- He looks ill. (Compare: He's a sick man.)
- Your mother's very well. (Compare: She's a very healthy woman.)
- She's asleep. (Compare: a sleeping baby)
4-In expressions of measurement, the adjective comes after the measurement-noun.
- two meters high (NOT high two meters)
- ten years old
- two miles long