{"id":173802,"date":"2023-04-11T01:27:56","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T05:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/order-of-adjectives-in-english\/"},"modified":"2025-04-02T07:05:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T11:05:49","slug":"order-of-adjectives-in-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/english\/order-of-adjectives-in-english\/","title":{"rendered":"Order of Adjectives in English (with Example Sentences)"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to arrange adjectives can be particularly tricky for English learners.\u00a0It’s usually based on the category of the adjective. The order of adjectives in English is quantity, opinion\/value, size, temperature, age, shape, color, origin, material and purpose<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

There are some exceptions and there can be slight variations between the different types of English<\/a> (such as American, British and Australian), but the more general adjectives usually go first. Let’s have a look at\u00a0exactly how English adjective order works.<\/p>\n

In addition to this post, you can also watch this video lesson from our YouTube channel<\/a>:<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Order<\/th>Category<\/th>Examples<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1<\/td>Quantity<\/td>six, some, a lot of <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>Opinion\/Value<\/td>amazing, terrible, comfortable <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>Size<\/td>small, bulky, compact <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>Temperature<\/td>lukewarm, frozen, steaming <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>Age<\/td>young, vintage, old <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>Shape<\/td>rectangular, curved, jagged <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>Color<\/td>silver, red, green <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>Origin<\/td>British, Cuban, Japanese <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>Material<\/td>silk, plastic, glass <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>Purpose<\/td>running shoes, sleeping bag, coffee table <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

1. Quantity<\/h2>\n

Adjectives describing the quantity of the noun come first. These include numbers:<\/p>\n

one, <\/em>4.5, <\/em>100<\/em><\/p>\n

Quantity can also be expressed through adjectives such as:<\/p>\n

many, <\/em>several, <\/em>few<\/em><\/p>\n

If you’re only referring to one object, person or place with the noun, you can simply use these articles<\/a>:<\/p>\n

a, an, the\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A<\/strong><\/em> mug<\/p>\n

2. Opinion\/Value<\/h2>\n

These adjectives communicate how the noun is viewed by yourself or others. These are subjective terms:<\/p>\n

beautiful<\/em>, unusual<\/em>, annoying,<\/em>\u00a0delicious<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful <\/em><\/strong>mug<\/p>\n

3. Size<\/h2>\n

Adjectives describing the size of the noun are placed next. This word tells the reader or listener how big or small the noun is. A variety of words can be used to explain this, including:<\/p>\n

large<\/em>, huge<\/em>, tiny<\/em>, mini<\/em><\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful large <\/strong><\/em>mug<\/p>\n

One exception here that you may notice is the word “big,” which often comes before an opinion\/value word. For example, “the big bad wolf” is a character in the story “The Three Little Pigs.”<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Temperature<\/h2>\n

The adjectives placed next in line give information about the temperature, if necessary:<\/p>\n

cold<\/em>, cool<\/em>, freezing<\/em>, warm<\/em>, hot<\/em><\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful large warm <\/strong><\/em>mug<\/p>\n

5. Age<\/h2>\n

Age doesn’t have to be a number. Age can also be communicated with words that explain the time period or era the noun was created in or lived in. Adjectives used here could be:<\/p>\n

new<\/em>, modern<\/em>, antique<\/em>, prehistoric<\/em><\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful large warm modern <\/strong><\/em>mug<\/p>\n

6. Shape<\/h2>\n

Next in line are the adjectives that describe the shape. Some of the words you could use to communicate the shape the noun looks like could be:<\/p>\n

angular<\/em>, round,<\/em>\u00a0square<\/em><\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful large warm modern round<\/strong><\/em> mug<\/p>\n

7. Color<\/h2>\n

<\/b>Adjectives describing color are positioned next:<\/p>\n

brown<\/em>, blue<\/em>, silver\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

These words can also be used when describing the coloring of a person’s hair or an animal’s fur:<\/p>\n

brunette,<\/em>\u00a0blonde<\/em><\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful large warm modern round black <\/strong><\/em>mug<\/p>\n

8. Origin<\/h2>\n

<\/b>Adjectives that describe where the noun came from tell the reader or listener about its origin. These adjectives could include:<\/p>\n

American<\/em>, British<\/em>, Dutch<\/em>, Indian<\/em>, Australian<\/em><\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful large warm modern round black European <\/strong><\/em>mug<\/p>\n

9. Material<\/h2>\n

<\/b>These adjectives simply indicate what the noun is made of<\/a>. Adjectives here could be:<\/p>\n

wood<\/em>, metal<\/em>, paper<\/em>, silk,<\/em> rubber<\/em><\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful large warm modern round black European stainless steel <\/strong><\/em>mug<\/p>\n

10. Purpose<\/h2>\n

<\/b>The last adjective before the noun describes its purpose. This explains what the noun is used for:<\/p>\n

tennis ball<\/em> (used for tennis),\u00a0stirring spoon (<\/em>used for stirring), diving pool<\/em> (used for diving)<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful large warm modern round black European stainless steel travel <\/strong><\/em>mug<\/p>\n

How to Choose English Adjectives Wisely<\/h2>\n

I know what you’re thinking.<\/p>\n

“A beautiful large warm modern round black European stainless steel travel mug” is a mouthful of a phrase<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

That’s why it’s important not to use too many adjectives<\/strong>.\u00a0Too many adjectives give off a very confusing message<\/a> to readers and listeners.<\/p>\n

Instead, focus on learning the position of each category so that when you do<\/em> need one, you know exactly where to put it.<\/p>\n

Look at this example:<\/p>\n

A magnificent huge newly-opened blue American water swimming pool<\/em><\/p>\n

Not all of these adjectives are relevant. We know that swimming pools are made of water and they’re blue.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, mugs can be made from a variety of materials and could be any color.<\/p>\n

Using an adjective that describes the color of a coffee mug is giving the listener or reader information they don’t already have. This information is relevant. It’s needed to create a more detailed picture in their mind.<\/p>\n

As a general rule, try to focus on only two, three or four adjectives<\/strong> that’ll add the most description to your sentence.\u00a0Once you’ve selected these few adjectives, simply place them in the order stated above.<\/p>\n

A portable new black laptop<\/em><\/p>\n

A pair of cozy, warm, fur-lined slippers\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Several old, thick hardcover books <\/em><\/p>\n

Three disposable plastic pens<\/em><\/p>\n

For a bit more guidance on the subject, it also helps to take a closer look at how native English speakers order their adjectives.<\/p>\n

Read modern books<\/a> and listen intently to movies<\/a>, TV shows<\/a> and other English language media, then try using descriptive phrases that you come across.<\/p>\n

On the FluentU<\/a> program, you can see how native speakers naturally use multiple adjectives in real English videos.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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