Adjectives in English generally do not change form to agree with nouns, and their typical position is after determiners and before nouns when they describe attributes. This guide highlights when adjectives remain unchanged and how adjective order affects meaning.
Agreement
Adjectives in English are usually invariable, so they do not change form for gender, number, or case. The same adjective form describes singular and plural nouns alike, simplifying agreement.
Examples
We saw several beautiful butterflies in the garden.
Exceptions
Some adjectives have distinct comparative and superlative forms, and a few change meaning with suffixes, but basic agreement stays constant.
Position
Adjectives normally appear before the noun they modify when they describe an inherent quality and after certain verbs when they express a temporary state or result. Adjective order matters when multiple adjectives appear.
Typical Order
When several adjectives modify a noun, they generally follow a conventional sequence: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose. This order sounds natural to English speakers.
Adjectives After Nouns
Some adjectives change meaning depending on whether they come before or after the noun, and placing an adjective after the noun can add emphasis or create a set phrase.
Adjectives After Verbs
Adjectives that describe a state, condition, or result usually follow linking verbs like be, seem, become, and feel. Placing the adjective after the verb highlights the noun’s quality.
Examples
Summary
English adjectives do not change form to agree with nouns, and their typical position is before the noun for descriptive attributes and after linking verbs for states. Adhering to conventional adjective order ensures natural-sounding phrases.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025