A2 English GrammarAdjective Order and Position
Learn where to place adjectives in English sentences and the correct order when using multiple adjectives together.
1Adjective Position
In English, adjectives usually come before the noun (attributive position) or after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', 'look', 'feel' (predicative position).
Adjective Position
| Position | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Before noun | adjective + noun | a beautiful house |
| After 'be' | be + adjective | The house is beautiful. |
| After linking verbs | seem/look/feel + adj | She looks happy. |
Examples
She has a red car.
She has a red car.
adjective before noun
The car is red.
The car is red.
adjective after 'be'
The food smells delicious.
The food smells delicious.
after linking verb 'smell'
He seems tired today.
He seems tired today.
after linking verb 'seem'
2Order of Multiple Adjectives
When using multiple adjectives, they follow a specific order: Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Color, Origin, Material, Purpose. Remember: OSASCOMP. Native speakers follow this naturally.
Adjective Order
| Order | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Opinion | lovely, beautiful, nice |
| 2 | Size | big, small, tall |
| 3 | Age | old, young, new |
| 4 | Shape | round, square, long |
| 5 | Color | red, blue, green |
| 6 | Origin | French, Italian, Chinese |
| 7 | Material | wooden, metal, cotton |
| 8 | Purpose | sleeping (bag), cooking (pot) |
Examples
a lovely small old house
a lovely small old house
opinion + size + age
a big round wooden table
a big round wooden table
size + shape + material
beautiful long black hair
beautiful long black hair
opinion + shape + color
an expensive Italian leather bag
an expensive Italian leather bag
opinion + origin + material
3Commas Between Adjectives
Use commas between adjectives of the same category (coordinate adjectives). Don't use commas between adjectives of different categories. Test: if you can say 'and' between them, use a comma.
Examples
a tall, dark, handsome man
a tall, dark, handsome man
commas: all are description
a beautiful old house
a beautiful old house
no comma: different categories
a kind, generous person
a kind, generous person
comma: same category (personality)
an exciting new movie
an exciting new movie
no comma: opinion + age
4Adjectives That Only Go in One Position
Some adjectives can only be used in one position. 'Main', 'only', 'chief' only go before nouns. 'Asleep', 'awake', 'alive', 'afraid' only go after verbs.
Position-Specific Adjectives
| Only before noun | Only after verb |
|---|---|
| main | asleep |
| only | awake |
| chief | alive |
| former | afraid |
Examples
The main reason is cost.
The main reason is cost.
main only before noun
The baby is asleep.
The baby is asleep.
asleep only after verb
She's my only sister.
She's my only sister.
only before noun
Are you still awake?
Are you still awake?
awake after verb