Common Adjective Errors: Adjective Order

The order of adjectives in English can be confusing, especially for non-native speakers. Here are some general rules:

Order of Adjectives

1. Opinion: Describes the speaker’s opinion of the noun.
   • Example: a beautiful dress
2. Size: Describes the size of the noun.
   • Example: a small house
3. Age: Describes the age of the noun.
   • Example: an old car
4. Shape: Describes the shape of the noun.
   • Example: a round table
5. Color: Describes the color of the noun.
   • Example: a red apple
6. Origin: Describes the origin of the noun.
   • Example: an Italian restaurant
7. Material: Describes the material the noun is made of.
   • Example: a wooden chair
8. Purpose: Describes the purpose of the noun.
   • Example: a sleeping bag

Practice Exercises:

1. a (small, blue, round) ball
2. a (delicious, Italian) pizza
3. a (old, wooden) table
4. a (beautiful, red, silk) dress
5. a (funny, old) man

Answers:

1. a small, round, blue ball
2. a delicious Italian pizza
3. an old wooden table
4. a beautiful silk red dress
5. a funny old man

Adjective Order Practice

Identify the correct order of adjectives in each sentence.

1. a (small, blue, round) ball
2. a (delicious, Italian) pizza
3. a (old, wooden) table
4. a (beautiful, red, silk) dress
5. a (funny, old) man
6. a (new, Japanese, sports) car
7. a (big, black, furry) dog
8. a (delicious, Chinese) meal
9. a (small, round, green) apple
10. a (comfortable, old, leather) armchair

Answers:

1. a small, round, blue ball
2. a delicious Italian pizza
3. an old wooden table
4. a beautiful silk red dress
5. a funny old man
6. a new Japanese sports car
7. a big furry black dog
8. a delicious Chinese meal
9. a small round green apple
10. a comfortable old leather armchair