English Adjective Order
English Adjective Order
Before we jump into our lesson on adjectival order, let’s get on the same page about adjectives. First, no one says or writes adjectival; however, since this is an article and teaching lesson plan on adjectives, we had better walk the walk and talk the talk. We all know that adjective is a noun and that, stylistically, we don’t put two nouns, such as adjective and order next to each other. Practically speaking and in common usage, we cram nouns together all the time and give the first noun a fancy title: attributive noun. This first position noun is also referred to as “a noun premodifier, a noun adjunct, and a converted adjective (Nordquist). If you just clicked on that link, you are just as much a grammar nerd as I. Ah, but I digress…
Definition
An adjective modifies a noun and answers Which one? How many? or What kind? Modifies means to define, limit, or describe. In other words, an adjective talks about a noun.
Usage
It can be a single word (delicious lasagna) or a compound-word (world-famous hot dogs). Note: Don’t use a hyphen if you can use the word and between the two adjectives.
When to Use Commas between Adjectives
When coordinate adjectives of a similar category are used in a list, they have to be separated with commas. To determine if adjectives are coordinate adjectives, try placing the word and between the adjectives. Second, try reversing them. If the phrases sound fine both ways, the adjectives are coordinate adjectives and require commas between each. Example: large, angry dog
Coordinate Adjectives Limerick
When writing a series of adjectives,
Think and between each
and reverse
The adjective order
and if they sound fine,
Use commas between
every time.
When Not to Use Commas between Adjectives
When hierarchical adjectives build upon each other with different levels or degrees to modify the same noun, the adjectives are not separated by commas. To determine if adjectives are hierarchical adjectives, try placing the word and between the adjectives. Second, try reversing them. If the phrases make no sense both ways, the adjectives are hierarchical and do not use commas to separate them. Examples: A hot thick-crust sausage pizza.
Hierarchical Adjectives Limerick
When writing a series of adjectives,
Think and between each
and reverse
The adjective order
and if they sound bad,
Commas you never should add.
Adjectival Order
Before Nouns: In English, we usually place adjectives before nouns. Examples: comfortable coat, that cheeseburger
After Nouns: An adjective that follows a linking verb to describe a preceding noun is called a predicate adjective. Example: Mark is nice; he looks good; and he feels well. Because the predicate adjective serves as an object, it often has modifiers. Example: Joe was unusually cool.
…for elementary students
According to Function: When using more than one adjective to modify the same noun in a sentence, usually follow this order of adjectival functions: Which One-How Many-What Kind. Examples: these (Which one?) two How many? handsome (What kind?) men
Practice: Re-order the adjectives and place the commas where they belong.
- a geometric six-sided shape
- realistic only her hope
- mean that twelve-year-old kid
- those scary countless and sleepless nights
…for secondary students
According to Function: When using more than one adjective to modify the same noun or pronoun in a sentence, usually follow this order of adjectival functions:
Determiners
Examples: a, an, the, this, that, these, those
Amount or Number
Examples: few, twenty-nine
Characteristic
Examples: beautiful, grumpy
Size
Examples: huge, miniscule
Age
Examples: young, senior
Shape
Examples: square, elongated
Color
Examples: blue, dark
Proper Adjective
Examples: Burger King Whopper, Beyoncé records
Purpose, Qualifier, Limitation
Examples: recreational, middle, only
Noun or Pronoun
Examples: balloon, Mr. Patches, one
Practice: Re-order the adjectives and place the commas where they belong.
- the strange-looking Martian tiny green two invaders
- paint yellow old round an splotch
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- those little two-year old three cute children
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Answers for elementary practice…
- a six-sided geometric shape
- her only realistic hope
- that twelve-year-old mean kid
- those countless, scary, and sleepless nights
Answers for secondary practice…
- the two strange-looking, tiny green Martian invaders
- an old, round, yellow paint splotch
- this full-year, comprehensive, 1000-page Pennington Publishing grammar and mechanics program
- those three cute, little two-year old children
*****
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