What are the Types and Order of Adjectives?

Types and Order of Adjectives

Sometimes, multiple adjectives are needed to describe or modify the same noun.

For example, the noun “sky” can be described by more than one adjective.

Describing the Sky

Possible colors of the sky include: blue, dark, white.

Possible conditions of the sky include: dull, clear, sparkly (at night), empty.

Common opinions about the sky include: beautiful, lovely, calming.

To sound natural when using multiple adjectives, an order of adjectives must be followed.

Order of Adjectives

1. Opinion (good, bad, strange, lovely, etc.)
2. Measurement (big, small, tiny, huge, etc.)
3. Shape (curved, straight, round, square, etc.)
4. Condition (wet, dry, clean, sad, happy, etc.)
5. Age (old, young, new, ancient, etc.)
6. Color (red, yellowish, transparent, blue, etc.)
7. Pattern (checked, striped, plaid, flowered, etc.)
8. Origin (American, British, eastern, western, etc.)
9. Material (wooden, plastic, steel, cloth, etc.)
10. Purpose (sleeping, shopping, work, gardening, etc.)

Based on the above, adjectives describing the sky from earlier examples fall into these categories:

• 6. Color: blue, dark, white
• 4. Condition: dull, clear, sparkly (at night), empty
• 1. Opinion: beautiful, lovely, calming

Thus, the natural sequence is: Opinion (1), Condition (4), Color (6).

Example Sentences Following the Order

"I see a lovely clear blue sky."

"A lovely clear blue sky is what I see."

"The sky is lovely, clear, and blue."

Note: The first two sentences do not use commas or coordinating conjunctions, while the third sentence uses both, as it is a predicative adjective series.

Using Commas and Coordinating Conjunctions

For Attributive Adjectives

1. Use a comma and/or coordinating conjunction if two or more adjectives fall under the same type. These are called coordinate adjectives.

Example with the noun hair (type: Measurement):

• "I have heavy, long hair." (comma between two adjectives)
• "I have heavy and long hair." (coordinating conjunction between two adjectives)
• "I have heavy, long, and wide hair." (commas and conjunction for three adjectives)

2. Do not use a comma or conjunction if adjectives do not fall under the same type.

Examples:

• "I see a lovely clear blue sky."
• "A lovely clear blue sky is what I see."

These rules apply only to attributive adjectives (adjectives directly before the noun or indefinite pronoun they describe, without linking verbs).

For Predicative Adjectives

1. Use commas and a coordinating conjunction if there are three or more predicative adjectives, regardless of their types.

Example:

• "The sky is lovely, clear, and blue."

2. Use only a coordinating conjunction if there are two predicative adjectives, regardless of their types.

Examples:

• "The sky is lovely and clear."
• "The sky is dark but calming."

Summary of the Rules

Attributive Adjectives

1. A comma and/or coordinating conjunction are used if adjectives fall under the same type:
   • Comma between two adjectives
   • Coordinating conjunction between two adjectives
   • Both comma and conjunction for three or more adjectives
2. No comma or conjunction is used if the adjectives do not fall under the same type.

Predicative Adjectives

1. Commas and coordinating conjunctions are used if there are three or more predicative adjectives, regardless of type.
2. Only a coordinating conjunction is used if there are two predicative adjectives, regardless of type.

Exceptions

Like many grammar rules, the order of adjectives is not fixed, and exceptions exist. However, it is best to follow the natural order from the table, knowing that variations may be encountered.