Adjectives – word order

Adjectives are describing words which usually qualify or describe a noun. They come in two places in a sentence either (a) before a noun, for example, ‘a young man’, or (b) after a verb which describes the subject of a sentence, for example, He is young.

Sometimes we use more than one adjective to describe something. For example: That is a beautiful, long, red dress.

When two or more adjectives come before a noun they usually go in this order: OPINION + SIZE + SHAPE + AGE + COLOUR + ORIGIN + MATERIAL + PURPOSE + noun.

Here are some more examples:

• A small rubber ball (size + material)
• A young German woman (age + origin)
• A large, round hat (size + shape)
• White leather running shoes (colour + material + purpose)
• A handsome young Chinese man (opinion + age + origin)

Rearrange the following sentences putting the adjectives in the right order: (Scroll down for the correct answers.)

1. An German interesting young woman
2. A fat short man Brazilian
3. A Japanese middle-aged tall woman
4. Two white small paper clips
5. Some Japanese tiny TV sets
6. A Brazilian young handsome doctor
7. A red plastic cheap raincoat from China
8. An blue long attractive coat
9. A pair of leather expensive black shoes made in Germany.
10. I took my friend to an new Chinese expensive restaurant

*Note: You do not pluralise adjectives. For example you cannot say beautifuls or happys. Whether the noun is singular or plural the adjective remains the same. For example: That is a beautiful mountain / Those are beautiful mountains.

“Last week I stayed in a 4-star hotel.” It is wrong to write or say: “Last week I stayed in a 4-stars hotel,” because ‘4-star’ is an adjective.

ANSWERS

1. An interesting young German woman
2. A short, fat Brazilian man
3. A tall ,middle-aged Japanese woman
4. Two small, white paper clips
5. Some tiny Japanese TV sets
6. A, handsome young Brazilian doctor
7. A cheap, red plastic raincoat from China
8. An attractive long blue coat
9. A pair of expensive black leather shoes made in Germany.
10. I took my friend to an expensive new Chinese restaurant.