Describing People and Objects
Adjectives
Adjectives are placed directly before nouns to describe certain qualities.
That is a complex organizational structure.
Our accounting policy includes keeping simple and understandable records.
Adjectives are also often used with the verb 'to be' to describe the character of people or things. In this case, place the adjective at the end of the sentence.
Oversight of the oil industry is very unreliable.
Outside aid is extremely important.
Adjective Order
It is possible to use a string of adjectives to describe a person, place or thing. When using more than one adjective, use the following pattern to place the adjectives in order before the noun.
Opinion, dimension, age, shape, color, origin, material + noun
NOTE: Use no more than three adjectives to describe a noun.
1. Opinion
Example:
Our partnership is somewhat helpful.
Activist events are exciting occasions.
2. Dimension
Example:
3. Age
Example:
This ancient artwork is now the symbol of the Native People's Advocacy Alliance.
His is the youngest member of our personnel department.
4. Shape
Example:
The rectangular clipboard holds our petition.
We printed our advocacy plan on round sheets of paper and that set our plan apart from the rest.
5. Color
Example:
Agency Endowment funds appear in red text in this report.
The red dots on the map indicate affected populations.
6. Origin
Example:
American weapons are found in areas of conflict around the world.
The Italian delegates had the most popular political position.
7. Material
Example:
The baseline data confirms the program to install tin roofs was successful.
Treat our balance sheet as if it's been etched in a stone tablet.
Here are some examples of nouns modified with three adjectives in the correct order based on the list above.
This absurd round brown statue of a servant boy is a prime example of the prejudices of the period.
Reaching that benchmark allowed us to provide more money to creative young European students.
That interesting square red logo was designed for a poverty alleviation organization.
That strange triangular ancient ruin is a perfect place for our presentation about UFOs.