Rules of adjectives

How to order adjectives in English

In many languages, adjectives denoting attributes usually occur in a specific order. Generally, the adjective order in English is:

1. Quantity or number

2. Quality or opinion

3. Size

4. Age

5. Shape

6. Color

7. Proper adjective (often nationality, other place of origin, or material)

8. Purpose or qualifier

For example:

1. I love that really big old green antique car that always parked at the end of the street.

2. My sister adopted a beautiful big white bulldog.

More examples:

1. I love that really old big green antique car that always parked at the end of the street. [quality – age – size – color – proper adjective]

2. My sister has a big, beautiful, tan and white, bulldog. [size – quality – color – color]

3. A wonderful old Italian clock. [opinion – age – origin]

4. A big square blue box. [dimension – shape – color]

5. A disgusting pink plastic ornament. [opinion – color – material]