Adjectives are a fundamental component of the English language, enhancing our communication by adding color, detail, and nuance to the nouns they describe. However, one of the trickiest aspects for language learners is understanding the correct placement of adjectives within a sentence. Misplacing adjectives can lead to confusion or even a complete change in meaning. This article aims to demystify the rules and conventions governing the placement of adjectives in English sentences.
Basic Placement of Adjectives
In English, the most common position for an adjective is directly before the noun it modifies. For instance, in the sentence “She has a red car,” the adjective “red” is placed before the noun “car.”
This positioning is straightforward but becomes more complex when multiple adjectives are involved. The sequence of adjectives follows a specific order: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose. For example, you would say, “She has a beautiful, small, old, round, red, Italian, wooden, dining table.” It’s a mouthful, but it follows the conventional order.
Adjectives After Nouns
While adjectives usually precede the noun, there are exceptions where they follow the noun. This is common in certain fixed expressions such as “attorney general” or in poetic and literary language. In phrases like “time immemorial” or “body politic,” the adjectives “immemorial” and “politic” come after the nouns “time” and “body,” respectively.
Additionally, adjectives can follow the noun when they are part of a predicate, linked by a verb such as “to be,” “seem,” or “appear.” For example, in the sentence “The sky is blue,” the adjective “blue” follows the noun “sky” and is linked by the verb “is.”
Postpositive Adjectives
Another situation where adjectives appear after the noun is with postpositive adjectives. These are more common in formal or poetic contexts and in certain fixed phrases. Examples include “something special,” “anyone else,” or “the president elect.”
Postpositive adjectives are also prevalent in legal and official titles. For example, you might encounter phrases like “court martial” or “attorney general.” Here, “martial” and “general” follow the nouns “court” and “attorney,” respectively.
Adjectives in Comparative and Superlative Forms
When dealing with comparative and superlative forms of adjectives, the placement rules can slightly alter. Comparatives often appear before the noun, as in “a better option,” but can also follow the noun when used with “than,” as in “an option better than the rest.”
Superlatives usually precede the noun, such as in “the best solution,” but can follow the noun in more complex structures, like “the solution that is best for everyone.”
Adjectives with Pronouns
When adjectives are used with pronouns, they generally follow the pronoun. For example, “something interesting,” “nothing new,” and “someone special” all place the adjective after the pronoun.
In cases where the pronoun is a possessive, the adjective follows the possessive pronoun and precedes the noun. For instance, “his new car” or “their big house.”
Adjectives in Adjective Phrases
Adjectives can also form part of adjective phrases, which may include modifiers and complements. In the phrase “full of wonder,” “full” is the adjective, and “of wonder” is the complement. The entire phrase acts as an adjective that follows the noun, as in “a world full of wonder.”
Order of Multiple Adjectives
When using multiple adjectives to describe a noun, it’s important to follow a specific sequence to ensure clarity and naturalness. The general order is as follows:
1. Opinion (e.g., beautiful, boring)
2. Size (e.g., small, large)
3. Age (e.g., old, new)
4. Shape (e.g., round, square)
5. Color (e.g., red, blue)
6. Origin (e.g., Italian, American)
7. Material (e.g., wooden, plastic)
8. Purpose (e.g., dining, sleeping)
For example, you might say, “She has a beautiful, small, old, round, red, Italian, wooden dining table.”
Adjective Clauses
Adjective clauses, also known as relative clauses, act like adjectives but are longer phrases that follow the noun. For instance, in “The book that I read was fascinating,” “that I read” is an adjective clause modifying “book.”
Participial Adjectives
Participial adjectives are derived from verbs and end in -ing or -ed. These can appear before or after the noun. For example, “a boring lecture” places the participial adjective before the noun, while “the lecture was boring” places it after the noun as part of the predicate.
Adjectives in Different Sentence Structures
Adjectives can also be used in various sentence structures, such as:
– Simple sentences: “She wore a blue dress.”
– Compound sentences: “He has a fast car, and she has a slow bike.”
– Complex sentences: “The movie, which was exciting, kept us on the edge of our seats.”
Adjectives with Linking Verbs
When used with linking verbs like “seem,” “appear,” “become,” and “feel,” adjectives usually follow the verb. For instance, in “She seems happy,” the adjective “happy” follows the linking verb “seems.”
Adjective Placement in Questions
In questions, adjectives generally follow the subject. For example:
– “Is she happy?”
– “Are they ready?”
– “Was the movie interesting?”
Adjective Placement in Exclamations
In exclamatory sentences, adjectives often appear at the beginning. For instance:
– “What a beautiful day!”
– “How exciting this is!”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Language learners often make mistakes with adjective placement, especially when multiple adjectives are involved. Here are some common errors and tips to avoid them:
1. **Incorrect Order of Multiple Adjectives**: Remember the sequence (opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, purpose). Practice by describing objects around you using multiple adjectives in the correct order.
2. **Misplacing Adjectives in Predicate**: Ensure that adjectives follow linking verbs in predicates. Instead of “The sky blue is,” it should be “The sky is blue.”
3. **Overusing Postpositive Adjectives**: While postpositive adjectives are useful, they are less common in everyday speech. Stick to the conventional placement unless using fixed expressions or formal language.
4. **Misunderstanding Adjective Clauses**: Adjective clauses should always follow the noun they modify. “The book I read that was fascinating” is incorrect; it should be “The book that I read was fascinating.”
Practical Exercises
To solidify your understanding, here are some exercises:
1. **Adjective Ordering**: Describe an object around you using at least three adjectives in the correct order.
2. **Predicate Adjectives**: Write five sentences using adjectives in the predicate.
3. **Adjective Clauses**: Create three sentences using adjective clauses.
4. **Linking Verbs**: Write three sentences using adjectives with linking verbs.
Conclusion
Mastering the placement of adjectives in English sentences is essential for clear and effective communication. By following the rules and practicing regularly, you can avoid common mistakes and enhance your descriptive language skills. Remember that adjectives add richness and detail to your speech and writing, so using them correctly will make your language more vivid and precise. Keep practicing, and you’ll find that adjective placement becomes second nature.
