Order of Adjectives: Rules, Examples, Chart & Worksheets

English grammar can often feel like a puzzle. One such puzzle for learners is the order of adjectives. Adjectives are words that describe nouns. They tell us about a person, place, thing, or idea by adding details such as size, color, shape, origin, or opinion.

For example:

• Correct: She adopted a cute little brown puppy.

• Incorrect: She adopted a brown cute little puppy.

The difference may seem small, but to a native English speaker, the first sentence sounds natural while the second feels awkward. That is because in English, adjectives are not placed randomly. They follow a strict sequence known as the order of adjectives in English.

What is the Order of Adjectives?

The order of adjectives refers to the sequence in which multiple adjectives must appear before a noun. For example:

• A big old round wooden table (correct)

• A wooden round old big table (incorrect)

Both sentences contain the same adjectives, but only the first is grammatically correct. That is because English follows a natural rhythm and hierarchy. Without this order, sentences sound confusing and unnatural.

The Correct Order of Adjectives in English

Here is the universally accepted order of adjectives:

1. Quantity/Number – one, several, many

2. Opinion – beautiful, ugly, smart

3. Size – small, large, huge

4. Age – old, young, new

5. Shape – round, square, oval

6. Color – red, green, black

7. Origin – Indian, Italian, American

8. Material – wooden, plastic, silk

9. Purpose/Qualifier – sleeping (bag), wedding (dress), tennis (shoes)

Example sentence: I bought three beautiful large old round blue Italian wooden dining tables.

Every adjective has a specific “slot” it must occupy. Rearranging them disturbs the natural flow of English.

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Order of Adjectives Chart

Here is a simple order of adjectives chart for easy reference:

This chart can be printed and displayed in classrooms or study corners. Many English teachers use such charts in grammar lessons because they make the order of adjectives in English easy to remember.

Order of Adjectives Examples

Here are more detailed order of adjectives examples showing the correct sequence:

1. She bought a beautiful small round Italian glass vase.

2. They moved into a large old brick house.

3. He gifted me a lovely long blue silk scarf.

4. We enjoyed a delicious big hot Italian pizza.

5. I saw a scary little ancient black statue.

Now let’s look at some incorrect examples and correct them:

• Incorrect: A cotton white nice shirt.

• Correct: A nice white cotton shirt.

• Incorrect: An American red fast car.

• Correct: A fast red American car.

• Incorrect: A plastic small blue toy.

• Correct: A small blue plastic toy.

Notice how the position of each adjective matters.

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Correct Order of Adjectives vs Incorrect Order

Understanding this difference is crucial.

• Correct: An elegant long black French coat.

• Incorrect: A French black elegant long coat.

• Correct: A tasty large round chocolate cake.

• Incorrect: A chocolate round tasty large cake.

By practicing such comparisons, learners develop an ear for natural English.

Why the Order of Adjectives Matters

1. Clarity – Proper order prevents confusion.

2. Fluency – It helps learners speak confidently.

3. Exams – School tests often ask to rearrange adjectives.

4. Professional communication – Clear writing is essential in academic and workplace settings.

Order of Adjectives in a Sentence

Let’s apply the rule in different sentence types:

• Simple Sentence: She wore a beautiful red dress.

• Compound Sentence: He bought a big old house, and she decorated it with lovely antique furniture.

• Complex Sentence: Although it was a small wooden chair, it looked elegant in the living room.

This shows how the order of adjectives in a sentence works in real writing.

Order of Adjectives Worksheet

Here is a worksheet you can use for practice.

Part A – Arrange in Correct Order

1. A wooden old small chair

2. A green lovely silk saree

3. A French black elegant handbag

Answers:

1. A small old wooden chair

2. A lovely green silk saree

3. An elegant black French handbag

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Part B – Fill in the Blanks

1. She has a ______ (round / small / beautiful) face.

2. He owns a ______ (German / fast / red) car.

3. I need ______ (woolen / two / warm) sweaters.

Answers:

1. A beautiful small round face

2. A fast red German car

3. Two warm woolen sweaters

Part C – Correct the Mistakes

1. A silk green lovely dress → Correct: A lovely green silk dress

2. A big wooden ancient box → Correct: An ancient big wooden box

This order of adjectives worksheet can be printed for classroom or home practice.

Order of Adjectives Exercises

Here are extra order of adjectives exercises for advanced learners:

Rearrange the adjectives correctly

1. Three cotton blue beautiful shirts

2. An American fast red car

3. A round small plastic toy

Correct Answers

1. Three beautiful blue cotton shirts

2. A fast red American car

3. A small round plastic toy

These order of adjectives exercises reinforce learning by making students apply rules actively.

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Common Mistakes in the Order of Adjectives

1. Putting opinion after size.

2. Mixing up origin and material.

3. Using too many adjectives in one sentence.

Tip: Use 2–3 adjectives for natural-sounding English.

Teaching the Order of Adjectives to Kids

Children learn faster with engaging methods. Some strategies:

• Songs and rhymes for memorization.

• Games like “Describe the Object.”

• Order of adjectives chart displayed on walls.

• Interactive worksheets with pictures of toys, clothes, or animals.

PlanetSpark specializes in teaching kids grammar through fun, activity-based methods that make concepts stick.

Order of Adjectives in English vs Other Languages

In English, order is strict. But in other languages like French or Spanish, adjectives may come after the noun or follow different patterns. This is why non-native learners often struggle.

Tips to Master the Order of Adjectives

1. Memorize the sequence with the mnemonic OSASCOMP: Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Color, Origin, Material, Purpose.

2. Read English books and underline adjective groups.

3. Practice with worksheets and exercises daily.

4. Speak aloud using descriptive sentences.

The order of adjectives is a core grammar rule in English. It ensures sentences sound natural, fluent, and easy to understand. By using an order of adjectives chart, practicing with examples, worksheets, and exercises, and applying rules in daily writing, learners can quickly gain confidence.

For students, especially kids, interactive learning makes grammar fun. That is why courses like PlanetSpark’s Grammar and Creative Writing Program are designed to simplify complex topics and make learning enjoyable.

PlanetSpark English Grammar Course: The Perfect Next Step

Mastering topics like the order of adjectives is only the beginning. To truly build a strong foundation in English, kids need a structured program that makes grammar simple, fun, and practical. That’s where the PlanetSpark English Grammar Course comes in.

Key Features of the Course

• Interactive Live Classes: Kids learn grammar concepts through engaging lessons, discussions, and activities.

• Worksheets & Exercises: Practice with specially designed worksheets and quizzes that reinforce each topic.

• Personalized Feedback: Expert mentors track progress and guide children step by step.

• Story-Based Learning: Grammar is taught through stories, role plays, and real-life applications.

• Doubt-Solving Sessions: Every child gets the opportunity to ask questions and clarify concepts instantly.

Why Parents Choose PlanetSpark

• Fun and Engaging: Unlike boring grammar drills, our course uses games, activities, and storytelling.

• Confidence-Building: Kids not only learn rules but also apply them in speaking and writing.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the order of adjectives?
It is the fixed sequence in which adjectives must appear before a noun: Quantity, Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Color, Origin, Material, Purpose.

2. How to remember the order of adjectives?
Use the mnemonic OSASCOMP and practice daily with examples.

3. Can we use more than three adjectives?
Yes, but it may sound unnatural. 2–3 adjectives are ideal.

4. What is the difference between correct and incorrect order of adjectives?
Correct: A lovely small red bag. Incorrect: A red lovely small bag.

5. Is this topic important for exams?
Yes, school grammar exams often include order of adjectives exercises.

6. What is an adjective of purpose?
It tells the use of the noun, such as sleeping bag or cooking pot.

7. Where can I practice worksheets on order of adjectives?
PlanetSpark provides interactive worksheets and exercises.

8. Why does English follow this rule strictly?
It ensures clarity and natural flow in communication.

9. Can kids learn order of adjectives easily?
Yes, with charts, songs, games, and worksheets.

10. What is the correct order in “a cotton new white shirt”?
Correct: A new white cotton shirt.