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Adjectives Order
Adjectives Order
Adjectives Order
Adjective order
When we use two or more adjectives together to describe a noun, the order we put them
in is quite important. For example, we don't usually say an old Indian beautiful carpet. It
sounds much better say a beautiful old Indian carpet.
As a general rule, adjectives are usually placed in this order (OSASCOMP):
Although there are some exceptions, the general order of adjectives in a pair or series is:
determiner Opinion Size Age Shape Color Origin Material Purpose noun
a/an/the handsome young German man
one/two/three huge round metal bowls
this/that smart little girl
my/your/his old red sleeping bag
Sometimes we can use but between adjectives, especially if their meanings seem contradictory.
size quality noun
a small but tasty meal
If we use 2 adjectives that are similar in meaning, we usually put the shorter one first: a soft,
comfortable cushion.
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Adjectives word order Arantxa Hernndez Snchez
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Adjectives word order Arantxa Hernndez Snchez
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Adjectives word order Arantxa Hernndez Snchez
7. For each of the following sentences, choose the correct order of adjectives to fill in the blank.
A. I bought a pair of _________________ boots.
1. new, nice, red rain
2. nice new red rain
3. red nice new rain
B. Please put the marbles into that ______________________ box.
1. round little old red
2. little old round red
3. little old red round
8. For each of the following sentences, choose the correct order of adjectives to fill in the blank:
A. I was surprised to receive a __________________ puppy for my birthday.
1. little, cute, eight-week-old
2. cute eight-week-old little
3. cute little eight-week-old
B. Our work uniform consists of black trousers, black shoes, and a ____________ shirt.
1. yellow big polo
2. big yellow polo
3. yellow big polo
C. Ive been spending a lot of time in antique shops looking for the perfect____________ clock.
1. little silver Italian cuckoo
2. little Italian silver cuckoo
3. silver little Italian cuckoo
9. Which sentence uses the correct order of adjectives?
A. Our grandparents drive a motorhome with black and white stripes.
B. Our grandparents drive a motorhome with black with white stripes.
C. Our grandparents drive a motorhome with black, white stripes.
10. Which sentence uses the correct order of adjectives?
A. During my college years, I wore a red, black and white big hat to sporting events.
B. During my college years, I wore a big red, black and white hat to sporting events.
C. During my college years, I wore a big red black and white, hat to sporting events.
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Adjectives word order Arantxa Hernndez Snchez
KEY:
1. A large and white
B large white
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. A
6. A little blue, green and white
B - Interesting new, old and antique
7. A nice new red rain
B- little old round red
8. A cute little eight-week-old puppy.
B big yellow polo
C little silver Italian cuckoo
9. A: with black and white stripes.
10. B: a big red, black and white hat to sporting events.