Adjectives: normal position

Two positions

Most adjectives can go in two main places in a sentence.

1. with a noun, usually before it. This is called ‘attributive position’.

   • The new secretary doesn’t like me.
   • He’s going out with a rich businesswoman.

   In older English (see here), it was quite common to put adjectives after nouns, especially in poetry and songs.

   • He came from his palace grand.

   In modern English, this only happens in a few cases.

   note

   For adjectives before personal pronouns (e.g. Poor you!), (see here).

2. after be, seem, look, become and other linking verbs (see here). This is called ‘predicative position’.

   • That dress is new, isn’t it?
   • She looks rich.
   • I feel unhappy.

Adjectives used only before nouns

Some adjectives are used only (or mostly) before nouns. After verbs, other words must be used. Common examples:

elder and eldest Compare:

• My elder sister is a pilot.
• She’s three years older than me.

live /laɪv/ (meaning ‘not dead’) Compare:

• a live fish
• It’s still alive.

old (referring to relationships that have lasted a long time)

• an old friend (not the same as a friend who is old)

little (in BrE: (see here) Compare:

• a nice little house
• The house is quite small.

Some others:

• He’s a mere child. (but not That child is mere.)
• It’s sheer madness. (but not That madness is sheer.)
• You bloody fool! (but not That fool is bloody.)
• I was studying for my future career as a lawyer. (but not My career as a lawyer was future.)
• This is the main problem! (but not This problem is main.)

Adjectives used only after verbs

Some adjectives beginning with a-, and a few others, are used mainly after linking verbs, especially be. Common examples: ablaze, afloat, afraid, alight, alike, alive, alone, asleep, awake. Compare:

• The baby’s asleep.
  a sleeping baby (not an asleep baby)

• The ship’s still afloat.
  a floating leaf

• He was afraid.
  a frightened man

The adjectives ill (see here) and well (see here) are most common after verbs. Before nouns, many people prefer other words. Compare:

• He’s very well.
  a healthy/fit man

• You look ill.
  Nurses take care of sick people.

Verb + object + adjective

Another possible position for adjectives is after the object, in the structure verb + object + adjective.

• I’ll get the car ready.
• Do I make you happy?
• Let’s paint the kitchen yellow.