Adjective order


Introduction


We use adjectives to describe nouns. We often use more than one adjective.

Adjective after "be"

We can put the adjective after "be". We can use two adjectives with "and", and commas with three or more:


Adjective before the noun

We put the adjective before the noun:
More than one adjective

We usually put more than one adjective in a specific order. We don’t need to use commas if we use the adjectives before the noun: Examples:

Form - order of adjectives


When we use two or more adjectives, we generally use adjectives about the individual noun first and about the type of noun last, with opinions (suggesting good or bad) first and facts last.

This table shows a common order of adjectives:

  opinion > shape > age > colour > location > made from

individual noun >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> general type
1 - opinion    2 - shape or condition    3 - age    4 - colour    5 - location    6 - made from   
stylish
beautiful
cheap
expensive
long
short
round
hot
young
old
new
modern
black
white
gold
dark
French
European
Italian
African
wooden
leather
glass
silk

Examples


Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct order of adjectives and noun from a, b or c:
.
1)
It's a ____.
 

 

2)
He has ____ table.
 

 

3)
They sell ____.
 

 

4)
My mother has ____.
 

 

Further practice

Complete the sentences by choosing the correct answer from a, b, c or d:
.
1)
The restaurant makes ____ food.
 

 

2)
There is an ____ painting on the wall.
 

 

3)
He was carrying a ____ suitcase.
 

 

4)
She wore a ____ scarf.
 

 

5)
They bought a ____ bowl.
 

 

6)
We hired the ____ car.
 

 


Create a free Getting Started account



Vocabulary
 

Vocabulary


Vocabulary exercises:Expand your vocabulary using our three vocabulary trainers:Practice your spelling using our three spelling tests:Practice vocabulary relating to graphs and charts:
Learn vocabulary
Reading exercises
 

Reading exercises



Improve your reading skills:
 
Go to reading exercises
Video lessons
 

Video lessons


Focus on specific areas of business English using our video lessons:
 
Take a video lesson