Putting adjectives in the right order English
Native English speakers naturally place adjectives (and secondary nouns acting as adjectives) in the "correct" order when writing or speaking; but very few native English speakers have ever learnt, or even thought of, the rules that determine the order in which adjectives are placed.
This obviously means that the rules are a) very basic and simple, and b) very few in number. More than rules, they are principles.
Adjectives are placed in English according to their nature or type. There are three groups of adjectives, defining the qualities of a noun :
? C. Constant, innate or fundamental permanent qualities
? B. Basic, permanent but circumstantial qualities
? A. Accessory, relative or perceived circumstantial qualities.
And of course, they will be placed in the natural order ABC, with the most fundamental adjectives coming closest to the noun, i.e. last.
Each group contains different types of adjectives, which may require a specific sequence. the table below lists the different groups and their types, and is followed by examples.
When two group A adjectives of similar nature qualify the same noun, they may be linked by "and". However "and" is never used to link adjectives from different groups.
| Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
Noun |
| Accessories |
Basic |
Constant |
|
Possessive
> Numerical
perceived quality,
> Size, weight, age
etc |
Colour
> Nationality
> Gender
(sometimes gender before nationality) |
Permanent quality
> substance
(often a secondary noun) |
|
| My first big |
green |
rubber |
ball |
| His five old |
American |
|
cousins. |
|
British female |
|
voters |
| Magnificent old |
American |
Ford |
automobile. |
| Memorable |
French |
skiing |
holiday |
| Dangerous and useless |
|
chemical |
experiment |
| Nice fresh |
red Spanish |
|
tomatoes |