English Advanced Grammar
Adjective Placement - How to Use Adjectives
When using more than one adjective to
describe a noun place the adjectives in the following
order before the noun.
NOTE: We usually use no more than three adjectives
preceding a noun.
Opinion
Example: an interesting book, a boring lecture
Dimension
Example: a big apple, a thin wallet
Age
Example: a new car, a modern building, an ancient ruin
Shape
Example: a square box, an oval mask, a round ball
Color
Example: a pink hat, a blue book, a black coat
Origin
Example: some Italian shoes, a Canadian town, an American
car
Material
Example: a wooden box, a woolen sweater, a plastic toy
Here are some examples of nouns modified with three
adjectives in the correct order based on the list above.
Notice that the adjectives are not separated by commas.
A wonderful old Italian clock. (opinion - age - origin)
A big square blue box. (dimension - shape - color)
A disgusting pink plastic ornament. (opinion - color
- material)
Some slim new French trousers. (dimension - age - origin)
Adjective + Preposition Combinations - # 1 - about
/ at / by / for / from
ABOUT
Use the following adjectives followed by 'about'. Each
group of adjectives have the same or related meanings.
Use the verb 'to be' with these expressions.
angry / annoyed / furious about something
Example: I'm really angry about our losses on the stock
market!
excited about something
Example: He's excited about his birthday party next
week.
worried / upset about something
Example: He's worried about his upcoming examinations.
sorry about something
Example: I'm very sorry about Losing your book.
AT
Use the following adjectives followed by 'at'. Each
group of adjectives have the same or related meanings.
Use the verb 'to be' with these expressions.
good / excellent / brillant at something OR at doing
something
Example: They are excellent at planning fun parties.
bad / hopeless at something OR at doing something
Example: Unfortunately, I'm hopeless at being on time.
AT / BY
Use the following adjectives followed by 'at' or 'by'.
Each group of adjectives have the same or related meanings.
Use the verb 'to be' with these expressions.
amazed / astonished / shocked / surprised at OR by something
Example: I was amazed at his stamina.
FOR
Use the following adjectives followed by 'for'. Each
group of adjectives have the same or related meanings.
Use the verb 'to be' with these expressions.
angry with someone for something
Example: I'm really angry with John for his total lack
of responsibility.
famous for something
Example: She's famous for her watercolor paintings.
responsible for something
Example: You'll have to speak to John, he's responsible
for customer complaints.
sorry for doing something
Example: He says he's sorry for shouting at you.
(to feel or be) sorry for someone
Example: I really feel sorry for Pam.
FROM
Use the following adjectives followed by 'from'.
different from somone / something
Example: His photographs are very different from his
paintings.
Info about studying in English countries:
- Guide to Study in the USA: Find universities and colleges in the United States. If offers also pratical information for students that are planning to study in the United States.
- Guide to Study in the United Kingdom: Find universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. If offers also pratical information for students that are planning to study in the United Kingdom.
- Guide to Study in Ireland: Find universities and colleges in Ireland. If offers also pratical information for students that are planning to study in Ireland.
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