Explanation
Exercises
Ordering Adjectives in a Noun Phrase — OSASCOMP & real-world use
B1 Upper-Intermediate Opinion → Purpose

Why order matters

  • Natural flow Native speakers follow a typical sequence even without thinking about it.
  • You don’t need many 1–3 adjectives are common; more than that can feel heavy.
  • Communication first Small variations are usually fine if the meaning is clear.

Fast map (OSASCOMP)

#SlotTypical wordsExample chunk
0Determiner / quantitya, the, this, my, two, manythese
1Opinionlovely, horrible, beautifulbeautiful
2Sizesmall, huge, tinysmall
3Agenew, ancient, youngancient
4Shaperound, square, narrownarrow
5Colour / patternred, dark blue, stripeddark blue
6OriginFrench, Asian, VictorianFrench
7Materialwooden, silk, steelsilk
8Purpose / type (closest to the noun)sleeping (bag), racing (car), kitchen (table)evening dress

Template: Det + Opinion + Size + Age + Shape + Colour + Origin + Material + Purpose + Noun

Opinion vs fact adjectives

  • Opinion first They bought an amazing (opinion) modern (age) apartment.
  • Balanced tone If you use two opinions, put the broader one first: a lovely elegant dress.

Opinion words describe what you think; “fact” words give objective details (size, age, colour, etc.).

Determiners & intensifiers

  • Determiners come before adjectives: my two favourite old books.
  • Degree adverbs go before the adjective they modify: a really beautiful small garden.

Several adjectives from the same group

  • Coordinate If you can add and or swap order, use a comma: a long, narrow road.
  • Cumulative If they build on each other, no comma: three small glass bottles.
  • Colour modifiers Put intensity/pattern before basic colour: a bright deep blue jacket, a black-and-white striped shirt.

Purpose / type (nearest the noun)

  • -ing or -ed a sleeping bag, a roasted vegetable salad.
  • Noun as modifier a coffee mug, a kitchen table (still counts as “purpose/type”).

This slot is usually last because it tells you what the item is for.

Measurements & hyphenation (before the noun)

  • Numbers + units Use hyphens with singular units: a 20-minute call, a 5-kilometre walk.
  • Age as measure a ten-year-old child (hyphenated group).
  • No hyphen with -ly adverbs: a highly effective method.

Model phrases

  • those lovely small old round silver Italian metal coffee spoons
  • a horrible huge new black German leather motorcycle jacket
  • my favourite modern Japanese wooden tea table

Flexibility & post-position

  • Fixed collocations Some sequences are conventional: a big bad wolf, the great wide world.
  • Adjectives after the noun occur with certain structures: something interesting, the people involved, the president elect, rooms available.
  • Rhythm Writers sometimes shift order for emphasis or style—clarity first.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • ❌ Mixing article with general plural: *the flowers are beautiful* (general) → ✔ Flowers are beautiful. Use the for specific flowers.
  • ❌ Overloading the noun: too many modifiers make reading hard. Choose the two or three most useful details.
  • ❌ Wrong slot for origin/material: *a wooden French small spoon* → ✔ a small French wooden spoon.
Exercises:
1
2
3

Ordering Adjectives in a Noun Phrase

Choose suitable adjectives to complete the sentences below.
1
A: Do you like my winter coat?
2
He’s an engineer.
3
We bought a set of bowls.
4
She wore a dress.
5
I need a jacket for hiking.
6
Did you see that vase?
7
They adopted a dog from the shelter.
8
We sat on a sofa.
9
He’s wearing those boots you bought him.
10
I found a box in the attic.

Ordering Adjectives in a Noun Phrase

Choose the correct answer for the sentences below.
1
She bought a ____ coat.
A.
B.
C.
2
He lives in a ____ house.
A.
B.
C.
3
We need a ____ table for the lounge.
A.
B.
C.
4
She’s wearing an ____ dress.
A.
B.
C.
5
We adopted a ____ puppy from the shelter.
A.
B.
C.
6
He bought ____ shoes for the wedding.
A.
B.
C.
7
They moved into a ____ office last month.
A.
B.
C.
8
In the museum we saw a ____ vase.
A.
B.
C.
9
They live in a ____ neighborhood.
A.
B.
C.
10
He drives a ____ car.
A.
B.
C.

Ordering Adjectives in a Noun Phrase

Chose the correct order for the following phrases.
1
She rented a ____ apartment.
A.
B.
C.
2
He’s a ____ professor.
A.
B.
C.
3
A pair of ____ boots.
A.
B.
C.
4
We bought a ____ sofa.
A.
B.
C.
5
An ____ engineer joined our team.
A.
B.
C.
6
In the display case was a ____ vase.
A.
B.
C.
7
We ordered a ____ table for the kitchen.
A.
B.
C.
8
She carried an ____ handbag.
A.
B.
C.
9
I need a ____ tin.
A.
B.
C.
10
He bought a ____ smartphone.
A.
B.
C.