Adjectives are an essential part of any language, adding depth, color, and detail to our sentences. For English learners, understanding the position of adjectives in sentences is crucial for clear and effective communication. Unlike some languages where the placement of adjectives may follow a rigid structure, English offers a bit more flexibility. However, this flexibility can also lead to confusion. In this article, we will delve into the various positions adjectives can occupy in English sentences, offering detailed explanations and examples to help you master their usage.
Attributive Adjectives
One of the most common positions for adjectives in English is before the noun they modify. These are known as attributive adjectives. For instance:
– She wore a beautiful dress.
– The old house on the hill has been abandoned.
In these examples, the adjectives “beautiful” and “old” directly precede the nouns “dress” and “house,” respectively. This is a straightforward and common way to describe a noun.
Order of Attributive Adjectives
When multiple adjectives are used before a noun, they generally follow a specific order:
1. Opinion
2. Size
3. Age
4. Shape
5. Color
6. Origin
7. Material
8. Purpose
For example:
– She bought a beautiful (opinion) large (size) antique (age) oval (shape) red (color) Italian (origin) marble (material) table (purpose).
While native speakers follow this order naturally, it may require some practice for learners. Remembering the acronym “OSASCOMP” can help you recall the correct sequence.
Predicative Adjectives
Adjectives can also appear after the noun they modify when linked by a verb, typically a form of “to be” or other linking verbs like “seem,” “become,” “feel,” etc. These are known as predicative adjectives. For example:
– The sky is blue.
– He seems happy today.
In these cases, the adjectives “blue” and “happy” describe the subjects “sky” and “he,” but they appear after the linking verb.
Linking Verbs
Linking verbs play a crucial role in sentences with predicative adjectives. Some of the most common linking verbs include:
– To be (am, is, are, was, were)
– To seem
– To become
– To appear
– To feel
– To look
– To sound
– To taste
For example:
– The soup tastes delicious.
– She became angry.
In these sentences, “tastes” and “became” are linking verbs that connect the subject with the predicative adjectives “delicious” and “angry.”
Postpositive Adjectives
Occasionally, adjectives can appear immediately after the nouns they modify. These are called postpositive adjectives. This position is more common in certain fixed phrases, poetic language, or legal and formal writing. For example:
– The president elect will take office in January.
– There were many challenges unsolved.
While this structure is less common in everyday speech, it is still essential to recognize and understand it.
Adjective Phrases and Clauses
Adjectives can also be part of more complex structures like adjective phrases or adjective clauses. These structures provide additional information about a noun and can appear in various positions within a sentence.
Adjective Phrases
An adjective phrase is a group of words that describe a noun, with the adjective being the central element. These phrases can appear before or after the noun. For example:
– The extremely talented musician performed a new song.
– A musician extremely talented performed a new song.
In the first sentence, the adjective phrase “extremely talented” appears before the noun “musician.” In the second sentence, the same phrase follows the noun.
Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause, also known as a relative clause, is a group of words that include a subject and a verb and provide information about a noun. These clauses often begin with relative pronouns like “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” or “which.” For example:
– The book that you lent me was fascinating.
– She is someone who loves animals.
In these examples, the adjective clauses “that you lent me” and “who loves animals” provide additional details about “book” and “someone,” respectively.
Special Cases and Considerations
While the rules mentioned above cover most scenarios, there are some special cases and considerations to keep in mind.
Adjectives with Different Meanings
Some adjectives can have different meanings depending on their position. For example, consider the adjective “concerned”:
– The concerned parents spoke to the teacher. (Attributive: worried)
– The parents are concerned. (Predicative: worried)
In both sentences, “concerned” means “worried.” However, there are adjectives whose meanings change entirely based on their position:
– She is a late friend. (Attributive: deceased)
– She is late. (Predicative: not on time)
Understanding these nuances is essential for accurate communication.
Compound Adjectives
Compound adjectives are formed by combining two or more words to act as a single adjective. They often appear before the noun they modify and are usually hyphenated. For example:
– A well-known author
– A high-speed train
The hyphen helps clarify that the words work together as a single unit to describe the noun.
Adjectives in Comparative and Superlative Forms
Adjectives can also take on comparative and superlative forms to compare two or more nouns. These forms typically appear before the noun they modify, but they can also follow linking verbs:
– She is taller than her brother.
– This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read.
– The movie was better than I expected.
In these examples, “taller,” “most interesting,” and “better” are comparative and superlative forms of the adjectives “tall,” “interesting,” and “good,” respectively.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning the correct placement of adjectives in English can be challenging, and even advanced learners sometimes make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to avoid them.
Misplacing Multiple Adjectives
When using multiple adjectives, it’s essential to follow the correct order. For example, saying “a red big ball” instead of “a big red ball” sounds awkward and unnatural to native speakers. Remembering the OSASCOMP order can help you avoid this mistake.
Confusing Attributive and Predicative Adjectives
Mixing up attributive and predicative adjectives can lead to confusion. For example, saying “The boy afraid” instead of “The afraid boy” or “The boy is afraid.” Always ensure that predicative adjectives follow a linking verb.
Overusing Adjectives
While adjectives add detail and richness to sentences, overusing them can make your writing or speech cumbersome. For example, “The small, old, blue, wooden, rocking chair” might be more effectively described with fewer adjectives: “The old rocking chair.”
Ignoring Adjective Clauses
Adjective clauses provide essential details about a noun, but they can sometimes be overlooked or misplaced. Ensure that your adjective clauses are correctly positioned and clearly linked to the nouns they describe.
Practicing with Examples
One of the best ways to master the position of adjectives is through practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve:
1. Identify the adjectives in the following sentences and determine if they are attributive, predicative, or postpositive:
– The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
– The cake, delicious and moist, was a hit at the party.
– The students, eager to learn, arrived early.
2. Rewrite the following sentences by placing the adjectives in the correct order:
– She bought a red beautiful big balloon.
– He has an Italian old marble table.
3. Create sentences using the following adjectives in both attributive and predicative positions:
– happy
– expensive
– talented
Conclusion
Understanding the position of adjectives in English sentences is essential for clear and effective communication. By mastering attributive, predicative, and postpositive adjectives, as well as adjective phrases and clauses, you can add depth and detail to your language skills. Remember the order of multiple adjectives, practice regularly, and pay attention to special cases and nuances. With time and effort, you will become proficient in using adjectives to enhance your English proficiency. Happy learning!
