Position of adjectives

Adjectives usually go before the nouns they modify.

She is a nice girl. (Here the adjective nice modifies the noun girl and goes before it.)

He is an intelligent boy.

That was a clever idea.

When two or more adjectives come before a noun, they are usually separated by commas.

A large, round table

A short, fair, pretty girl

Note that we do not put a comma after the last adjective in the series.

When the last two are adjectives of color, they are usually separated by and.

A black and white cow (NOT black white cow)

Red and blue socks

When two or more adjectives come in the predicative position, we use and between the last two.

It was hot and sultry.

The boy was handsome, smart and polite.

The clouds looked white and fluffy.

Sometimes we put an adjective after the noun for the sake of emphasis.

There lived an old man strong and wicked. (More emphatic than ‘There lived a strong and wicked old man.’)

In phrases such as those given below, the adjective always comes after the noun.

Time-immemorial
Heir-apparent
God Almighty
President elect

In lines of poetry, too, the adjective is sometimes put after the noun.

O men with sisters dear! (Instead of ‘O men with dear sisters’)

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Mistakes in the use of adjectives

Here is a list of errors that students often make in the use of adjectives.

Incorrect: She is more stronger than her sister.
Correct: She is stronger than her sister.

Avoid double comparatives. Adjectives of one syllable usually form their comparatives by adding –er to the positive. Longer adjectives take more.

Incorrect: Bombay is further from Delhi than Agra.
Correct: Bombay is farther from Delhi than Agra.

Further means ‘additional’. Farther is used to talk about distance.

Incorrect: You have much books.
Correct: You have many books.

Incorrect: I have many work to do.
Correct: I have much work to do.

Use much with uncountable nouns. Use many with countable nouns.

Incorrect: She is growing strong and strong everyday.
Correct: She is growing stronger and stronger everyday.

The comparative form of the adjective is used in structures like these.

Incorrect: Let’s go quiet somewhere.
Correct: Let’s go somewhere quiet.

The adjective usually goes after expressions like somewhere.

Incorrect: I can’t afford that a big car.
Correct: I can’t afford that big a car.

Note the pattern: that + adjective + a/an + noun

Incorrect: Tell me the last news.
Correct: Tell me the latest news.

Latest means ‘the most recent’. Last means ‘the previous one’.

Incorrect: I have less worries than you.
Correct: I have fewer worries than you.

Use less with uncountable nouns. Use fewer with countable nouns.

Incorrect: He wasted his all wealth.
Correct: He wasted all his wealth.

Quantifiers like all, both and half go before possessives.

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Word order: position of adjectives

Different kinds of words go in different positions in a sentence. For example, nouns usually go at the beginning of a sentence. Adjectives usually go before nouns. They can also go after verbs. Nouns, too, can go after verbs. The main factor that determines the position of a word is its function. For example, a noun used as the subject of the verb has to go at the beginning of the sentence. A noun used as the object of a verb can only go after the verb. As the placement of words can significantly affect the meaning of a sentence it is important to learn the rules regarding the position of words. Here is a basic guide to word order in English.

Adjectives

Adjectives usually go before the nouns they modify.

Susie is a beautiful girl. (Here the adjective beautiful goes immediately before the noun (girl) it modifies.)

More examples are given below.

We met an interesting man.
That was a wonderful experience.
She is a great woman.

Note that we cannot put another word between an adjective and the noun it modifies. However, we can use any number of adjectives to modify the same noun.

She married a tall, dark, handsome man.

When more than one adjective modify the same noun, we usually separate them using a comma. No commas are used to separate the last adjective in the series from the noun it modifies.

Adjectives can also go after linking verbs. Note that the most common linking verbs in English are: is, am, are, was, were, become, seem, appear, taste, feel, grow and turn.

When adjectives go after linking verbs, they usually describe the subject.

Susie is beautiful. (Here the adjective beautiful describes the noun Susie.)
The fish tasted funny. (Here the adjective funny describes the taste of the fish.)
The night grew dark.
The milk turned sour.
I felt awful.

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Using adjectives

Adjectives are describing words. Adjectives usually go before the nouns they modify (attributive position). They can also go after the verb be (predicative position). Note that most adjectives can go in both positions.

Study the example sentences given below.

The flowers are red. (Predicative position)

These are red flowers. (Attributive position)

The car is expensive. (Predicative position)

It is an expensive car.

Exercise

Read the following sentences. In all of them, the adjectives are in the predicative position. Change them into the attributive position by rewriting the sentence. Note that the second sentence in the sequence should begin with a pronoun. You will also need to supply a suitable article.

1. The necklace was expensive. …………………………………………………………….

2. The question was tough. …………………………………………………………..

3. The flowers are fresh. …………………………………………………………..

4. The experience was enjoyable. …………………………………………………..

5. The job was tedious. ………………………………………………

6. The memory was painful. ………………………………………………..

7. The woman is experienced. …………………………………………….

8. The workmen are skilled. ………………………………………………..

9. The development was unexpected. ……………………………………………

10. The decision was foolish. …………………………………………………

Answers

1. It was an expensive necklace.

2. It was a tough question.

3. They are fresh flowers.

4. It was an enjoyable experience.

5. It was a tedious job.

6. It was a painful memory.

7. She is an experienced woman.

8. They are skilled workmen.

9. It was an unexpected development.

10. It was a foolish decision.

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The positive, comparative and superlative degrees

An adjective can exist in three forms – positive, comparative and superlative. The positive form is the base form of the adjective. The comparative form expresses a higher degree of some quality. The superlative form expresses the highest degree.

Fill in the blanks with the comparative or superlative form of the adjective given in the brackets.

1. How is your mother today? Is she any ……………………………………..? (Good)

2. In India May is ……………………………………… than June. (Hot)

3. Julie is …………………………………….. than her sister. (Pretty)

4. Who is the …………………………………… girl in your class? (Beautiful)

5. Which is the …………………………………….. of all metals. (Precious)

6. Her husband is ten years ………………………………………… than her. (Old)

7. All of us are bad singers, but I sing the …………………………………….. of all. (Bad)

8. I think you require a …………………………………….. diet. (Nutritious)

9. Which is the …………………………………… part of India? (Dry)

10. It was the ………………………………….. moment of my life. (Proud)

Answers

1. Is she any better?

2. In India May is hotter than June.

3. Julie is prettier than her sister.

4. Who is the most beautiful girl in your class?

5. Which is the most precious of all metals?

6. Her husband is ten years older than her.

7. All of us are bad singers, but I sing the worst of all.

8. I think you require a more nutritious diet.

9. Which is the driest part of India?

10. It was the proudest moment of my life.

Notes

The comparative adjective is usually followed by the prepositionthan. The superlative adjective should be used with the article the.

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Relative pronouns used to introduce adjective clauses

We have already learned that an adjective clause is a group of words that works like an adjective. Adjectives are used to modifynouns. In the same way, adjective clauses are also used to modify nouns.

In this lesson we will take a look at the five relative pronouns used to introduce adjectives clauses. Note that adjective clauses are also called relative clauses.

The most common adjective clauses begin with the relative pronouns who, which and that. Note that who is only used to refer to people and which is only used to refer to things. That can be used to refer to both people and things.

The other two relative pronouns used to introduce adjective clauses are whose and whom. Whose is the possessive form of who.Whom is the object form of who.

The girl, whose brother we met in the morning, is my sister’s classmate.

Here the relative pronoun whose shows the relationship between the girl and her brother.

Whom can replace object pronouns (him, her, them etc.) Who andwhom are often confused. Although it is possible to use whom instead of who in a less formal style, you have to keep the distinction between these forms in academic writing.

Note that when whom is used in a sentence, it will be immediately followed by another noun / pronoun and verb. Who, on the other hand, acts as the subject of the relative clause and hence it is not immediately followed by another noun.

She married a rich guy whom I have known for quite some time. (Note that whom is immediately followed by another pronoun.)
She married an engineer who was my senior at university. (NOT She married an engineer whom was my …)

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Absolute adjectives

Some adjectives express ideas that cannot be graded. For example, a person can’t be more or less dead. In the same way, a sphere can’t be more or less round. In grammars these adjectives are called non-gradable or absolute adjectives.

Non-gradable adjectives do not have comparative or superlative forms. There are very few non-gradable adjectives, so you can learn them by heart if you really want. Here is a list of common non-gradable adjectives in English. Note that this is not a comprehensive list.

Absolute, impossible, principal, adequate, inevitable, sufficient, complete, main, unanimous, unavoidable, entire, minor, fatal, unique, final, universal, ideal, whole, preferable, dead etc.

Exceptions

Although the adjectives given above are not normally used in comparative and superlative forms, you might still hear expressions like more complete or most perfect. Though incorrect, these expressions are quite common in speech and they have become sort of acceptable, too. However, if you are a careful user of the language, you must avoid them especially in writing.

Also be careful, not to use more along with a comparative adjective ending in –er and most with a superlative adjective ending in -est. Do not write more taller or most smartest. These are examples of double comparatives and superlatives. They are always wrong and must be avoided.

She is prettier than her sister. (NOT She is more prettier thanher sister.)

Some compound adjectives have two possible comparatives and superlatives.

Positive: good-looking

Comparative: better-looking or more good-looking

Superlative: best-looking or most good-looking

Positive: well-known

Comparative: better-known or more well-known

Superlative: best-known or most well-known

In this case, you can decide which form you want to use, but don’t write most best-known or more better-looking.

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Adjective or adverb?

Adjectives are words used to modify nouns. They usually go before nouns. Adjectives may also go after be (is, am, are, was, were) and copular verbs like become, seem, look, feel etc.

I feel happy. (NOT I feel happily.)
She seemed excited. (NOT She seemed excitedly.)
They were upset.

Adverbs are words used to modify verbs. They usually express the manner in which something is done. Adverbs are also used to modify adjectives and other adverbs.

An adverb used to modify an adjective or another adverb usually goes before it. Enough is an exception to this rule. It goes after the adjective or adverb it modifies.

Complete the following sentences using the correct words from those given in brackets.

1. Our team played …………………………. (good / well) last week.

2. We have not gathered ………………………… (near / nearly) enough flowers.

3. The old woman was walking …………………………… (slow / slowly) past.

4. Come to my office as ………………………. (quick / quickly) as possible.

5. We had a ……………………….. (really / real) great time at the party.

6. Sophia won the first prize …………………………. (easy / easily)

Answers

1. Our team played well yesterday. (Here the adverb well modifies the verb played.)

2. We have not gathered nearly enough flowers. (Here the adverb nearly modifies the adjective enough.)

3. The old woman was walking slowly past. (Here the adverb slowly modifies the verb walking.)

4. Come to my office as quickly as possible. (Here the adverb quickly modifies the verb come.)

5. We had a really great time at the party. (Here the adverb really modifies the adjective great.)

6. Sophia won the first prize easily. (Here the adverb easily modifies the verb won.)

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Subject verb agreement worksheet

Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of verb. Choose the answers from the options given in the brackets.

1. One of my friends ……………………….. gone to France. (has / have)

2. Each of the boys ………………………. given a present. (was / were)

3. Neither of the contestants ……………………….. able to win a decisive victory. (was / were)

4. Oil and water ……………………….. not mix. (do / does)

5. He and I ……………………….. at Oxford together. ( was / were)

6. Slow and steady …………………….. the race. (win / wins)

7. Neither Peter nor James …………………….. any right to the property. (has / have)

8. No prize or medal ………………….. given to the boy, though he stood first in the examination. (was / were)

9. Either Mary or Alice …………………… responsible for this. (is / are)

10. Neither the Minister nor his colleagues ………………………… given any explanation for this. (have / has)

Answers

1. One of my friends has gone to France.

2. Each of the boys was given a present.

3. Neither of the contestants was able to win a decisive victory.

4. Oil and water do not mix.

5. He and I were at Oxford together.

6. Slow and steady wins the race.

7. Neither Peter nor James has any right to the property.

8. No prize or medal was given to the boy, though he stood first in the examination.

9. Either Mary or Alice is responsible for this.

10. Neither the Minister nor his colleagues have given an explanation for this.

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Adjective phrase

A word group that has an adjective as its head is called an adjective phrase. Note that the adjective in this phrase may be accompanied by other words such as determiners, modifiers etc.

Adjective phrases can go before a noun (attributive position). They can also go after a linking verb like be (predicative position).

He was wearing a dark brown suit. (Here the adjective phrase ‘a dark brown’ modifies the noun suit.)
The fish tasted awfully funny. (Here the adjective phrase ‘awfully funny’ says something about the fish. It goes after the copular or linking verb tasted.

A copular verb does not take an object and it cannot be modified by an adverb. The word or phrase that follows a copular verb typically says something about the subject of the sentence.

The fish tasted awful. (NOT The fish tasted awfully.)

Here the adjective awful says something about the fish. It doesn’t modify the verb tasted.

Note that the adjective in an adjective phrase may be modified by an adverb. When it is modified by an adverb, the adverb goes before the adjective. The adjective may also be modified by other determiners like articles, possessives and demonstratives.

Consider the phrase ‘my cute little daughter’

Here the adjective phrase ‘my cute little’ consists of a possessive (my) and two adjectives (cute and little).

Sometimes the idea expressed by an adjective can also be expressed using a noun phrase. Consider the examples given below.

Brutus is an honorable man. (Here the adjective honorable modifies the noun man.)

The same idea can be expressed using the phrase: a man of honor

Brutus is a man of honor.

Another example is given below.

Churchill was an eminent man. (Here the adjective eminent modifies the noun man.)
Churchill was a man of eminence. (Here the noun phrase ‘a man of eminence’ means the same as the phrase ‘an eminent man’.)

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Commonly confused expressions

Here is a quick overview of some phrases and expressions that are commonly confused.

Supposed to / used to

You are not supposed to break the rules. (NOT You are not suppose to break the rules.)

I am used to living alone. (NOT I am use to living alone.)

It is wrong to drop the ‘d’ in supposed and used. However, this is a mistake that many people make.

Beside the point

If something is beside the point, it is not relevant to the point. It is wrong to write ‘besides the point’.

Beside means ‘next to’ or ‘at the side of’. Besides means ‘in addition to.

Couldn’t care less

The expression ‘I could care less’ is always wrong.

I couldn’t care less means ‘I don’t care at all’. However, ‘I could care less’ does not mean that you care a lot.

Whet your appetite

To whet your appetite is to sharpen your appetite. Even mouth-watering delicacies can’t ‘wet your appetite’. The correct expression is ‘whet your appetite’.

Nip it in the bud

To nip something in the bud is to prevent it from growing into something bigger.

Don’t nip it in the butt. That will not solve your problem.

Toe the line

To toe the line is to adhere to a standard or rule. Don’t write ‘tow the line’.

For all intents and purposes

‘For all intents and purposes’ means ‘pretty much’ or ‘almost completely’. It is wrong to write ‘for all intensive purposes’.

Bald-faced lie

A bald-faced lie is an audacious lie. The person who tells a bald-faced lie does not make any attempt to disguise it as truth. However, this does not make it a ‘bold-faced lie’.

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Grammar

Position of adjectives

Position of adjectives