B. Grammar: Adjective position in sentences

There are three types of adjectives in English: attributives adjectives (which are ‘adjectifs épithètes’ in French), predicative adjectives (the equivalent of the French ‘adjectifs attributs’) and postpositive adjectives (in French: ‘adjectifs apposés’).

Adjectives can go before or after a noun.

1. Attributive adjectives are adjectives that go in the first position – before the noun.
The word order is adjective + noun.
Example: a black cat → My sister has a black cat.

2. Predicative adjectives are adjectives that go in the second position – after the noun (or subject) – and are used after linking verbs such as ‘be’, ‘become’, ‘feel’ or ‘seem’.
The word order is subject + verb + adjective.
Example: My sister’s cat is black.

Note: In questions, the order is reversed (verb + subject + adjective).
Example: Is your sister’s cat black?

3. Postpositive adjectives are adjectives that go after a noun, especially in certain institutionalized expressions.
The word order is noun + adjective.
Example: the Secretary General

Postposition is obligatory when the adjective modifies a pronoun.
Example: everyone present

Postpositive adjectives are also commonly found with superlative, attributive adjectives.
Example: the best conditions imaginable


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