Adjective Placement Primer- Why Nouns Always Get the Spotlight Before the Adjectives

Does adjective come before noun? This is a common question that often arises when learning English grammar. Understanding the placement of adjectives in a sentence is crucial for forming grammatically correct and coherent sentences. In this article, we will explore the rules and exceptions governing the order of adjectives before nouns in English.

Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, providing additional information about the noun’s characteristics, qualities, or attributes. Typically, in English, adjectives come before the nouns they are describing. For instance, in the sentence “The big red apple,” the adjectives “big” and “red” come before the noun “apple.” This order is simple and straightforward when dealing with a single adjective.

However, things can become a bit more complex when there are multiple adjectives in a sentence. When multiple adjectives precede a noun, the order in which they are placed can significantly impact the meaning and clarity of the sentence. The general rule for ordering adjectives in English is as follows:

1. Opinion: This refers to an adjective that expresses an opinion or personal feeling about the noun. For example, “beautiful,” “ugly,” or “delicious.”
2. Size: This includes adjectives that describe the size of the noun. Examples are “large,” “small,” “tall,” or “short.”
3. Age: Adjectives that indicate the age of the noun come next, such as “old,” “young,” “new,” or “ancient.”
4. Shape: This category covers adjectives that describe the shape of the noun, such as “round,” “square,” “circular,” or “rectangular.”
5. Color: Adjectives that express the color of the noun follow, for example, “red,” “blue,” “green,” or “yellow.”
6. Origin: Adjectives that describe the origin or place of the noun come next, such as “American,” “Italian,” “Chinese,” or “European.”
7. Material: This category includes adjectives that describe the material from which the noun is made, such as “wooden,” “plastic,” “metallic,” or “leather.”
8. Purpose: The final category is for adjectives that describe the purpose or function of the noun, such as “medical,” “school,” “office,” or “sporting.”

Following this order, a sentence with multiple adjectives might look like this: “The large, round, old, wooden table.” This sentence clearly communicates that the table is large, round, old, and made of wood.

While this rule provides a general guideline, there are exceptions and variations that can occur. For example, when an adjective is formed by combining two words (e.g., “well-known,” “self-employed”), these adjectives can come before or after the noun, depending on the context and emphasis. Additionally, in some cases, the order of adjectives can be reversed to achieve a specific effect or to create a more poetic or descriptive sentence.

In conclusion, while the general rule is that adjectives come before nouns in English, understanding the various categories and exceptions can help you construct grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. Remember, the key to mastering this aspect of English grammar is practice and familiarity with the rules and exceptions.