In English, it is common to use more than one adjective before a noun – for example, “He’s a silly young fool” or “She’s a smart, energetic woman.”
When you use more than one adjective, you have to put them in the right order, according to type. Below you will find a table that explains the different types of adjectives and the correct order for them.
Opinion | An opinion adjective explains what you think about something (other people may not agree with you). |
Size | A size adjective, of course, tells you how big or small something is. |
Age | An age adjective tells you how young or old something or someone is. |
Shape | A shape adjective describes the shape of something. |
Colour | A colour adjective, of course, describes the colour of something. |
Origin | An origin adjective describes where something comes from. |
Material | A material adjective describes what something is made from. |
Purpose | A purpose adjective describes what something is used for. These adjectives often end with “-ing”. |
| Opinion | Size | Age | Shape | Colour | Origin | Material | Purpose |
|
a | Silly |
| Young |
|
| English |
|
| man |
a |
| Huge |
| Round |
|
| Metal |
| bowl |
a |
| small |
|
| red |
|
| Sleeping | bag |
Which is the correct order?
Which is the correct order?
Which is the correct order?
Which is the correct order?
Which is the correct order?