Adjectives That Come
are words that modify a noun. A noun is a person, place or thing. An adjective
tells you just a little more about that person, place or thing. A "red"
fireplug is an adjective describing a noun. A "lovely" poem tells you what kind
of poem it is.
English, adjectives are more likely to come in front of the noun than after it.
But once in a while, they do follow the noun in the order of a sentence.
Adjectives are usually after the noun in languages such as French and Spanish.
But in English, when the writer is trying to convey superiority in a special
way, then they come after the noun.
adjectives are called "postpositive." It's not because they are positive words.
The word "positive" refers to their position in the sentence. They
are positioned after the word they modify. The phrase sounds more stylish than
if the adjective came ahead of the noun as usual, and puts the focus on the
adjective even more than the noun. Postpositives also are used in brand names
to set them apart, as with iPod nano ("nano" is the adjective) or Bud Lite
("lite" is the adjective).
are some examples:
the light fantastic (sounds more exciting than "the fantastic light")
general (the attorney who is the head or the chief, like a general of
martial (a military kind of court)
extraordinaire (to describe anybody who's extra good at his or her job, you
could use this postpositive adjective)
By Susan Darst Williams • www.GoBigEd.com • Grammar Granny
025 • © 2006