Page 173 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

A d j e c t i v e s : p o s i t i o n ( 1 )
(1)
Adjectives:
position

noun
describe,
they
either
be put
can
before the
adjectives
or
following
such
linking verbs
Many
Many adjectives can be put either before the noun they describe, or following linking verbs such
feel, get, and
seem (see Unit 26):
appear, be, become,
as as appear, be, become, feel, get, and seem (see Unit 26):
The hot sun beat down on us all day. The sun was hot.
• ¢ The hot sun beat down on us all day. or or • ¢ The sun was hot.
The high price surprised him. The price seemed high.
• ¢ The high price surprised him. or or • ¢ The price seemed high.
adjectives are seldom or never used before the noun they describe. These include:
Some adjectives are seldom or never used before the noun they describe. These include:
Some

afraid,
alight,
alike,
alive,
adjectives:
Some 'a-'
ae Some 'a-' adjectives: afraid, alight, alike, alive, • ¢ The horse was alone in the field.
The horse was alone in the field.
not The
alone
horse...)
awake,
aware
alone, ashamed, asleep,
~ alone, ashamed, asleep, awake, aware (but not The alone horse...)
(but

{but not My
and
health
describe
adjectives when
they
Some adjectives when they describe health and • ¢ My son felt unwell, (but not My
My son felt unwell.
Some
son...)
(notice that 'sick'
ill
content, fine, glad,
feelings: content, fine, glad, ill (notice that 'sick' unwell son...)
feelings:
unwell
can be used before a noun), poorly, sorry, (un)sure,
can be used before a noun), poorly, sorry, (un)sure,
63 upset, (un)well. (However, these words can
(However,
these words can
(un)well.
upset,
be
used between an adverb and a
sometimes
sometimes be used between an adverb and a
patient'.)
ill
e.g.
'a terminally
noun e.g. 'a terminally ill patient’.)
noun

adjectives
adjectives that can
related
a noun
'a-'
or
of these
after
either
before
used
be
have
Some of these 'a-' adjectives have related adjectives that can be used either before a noun or after
Some
linking verb.
Compare:
a a linking verb. Compare:
The animal was alive.
and
• ¢ The animal was alive. and • A living animal. (or The animal was living.)
A living animal, (or The animal was living.)
include:
like this
afraid - frightened,
alike - similar,
pairs
asleep - sleeping.
Other pairs like this include: afraid - frightened, alike - similar, asleep - sleeping.
Other
used
in both positions:
be
(un)happy can
Notice that (un)happy can be used in both positions:
Notice that
felt unhappy.
The man
and
He's an unhappy man.
• ¢ He's an unhappy man. and • ¢ The man felt unhappy.
linking verb.
For
a
adjectives
after
classifying and emphasising
are
seldom or
never used
Some
Some classifying and emphasising adjectives are seldom or never used after a linking verb. For
example, we can talk about 'a nuclear explosion', but we can't say 'The explosion was nuclear.'
example, we can talk about 'a nuclear explosion', but we can't say 'The explosion was nuclear.'
adjectives
like
this
include:
Other
Other adjectives like this include:

been
main problem
has now
digital,
cubic,
atomic,
adjectives:
Classifying
(ae Classifying adjectives: atomic, cubic, digital, • ¢ The main problem has now been
The
chief, entire, initial, main, solved.
me medical, phonetic; solved.
medical, phonetic; chief, entire, initial, main,
eventual, occasional, I spent my entire savings on the
only, whole; • ¢ I spent my entire savings on the
only, whole; eventual, occasional,
minimum, underlying project.
northern (etc.), maximum, minimum, underlying project.
northern (etc.), maximum,

absolute, complete, I felt an absolute idiot when I found
Emphasising adjectives: absolute, complete,
Emphasising adjectives: • ¢ TI felt an absolute idiot when I found
mere, utter that I hadn't got any money.
that I hadn't got any money.
mere, utter

adjectives can be used immediately after a noun. These include:
Some
Some adjectives can be used immediately after a noun. These include:
some -ible and -able adjectives such as available, imaginable, possible, suitable. However, we
• * some -ible and -able adjectives such as available, imaginable, possible, suitable. However, we
use these adjectives immediately after a noun only when the noun follows words such as as first,
use these adjectives immediately after a noun only when the noun follows words such first,
adjective:
last, next, only and superlative adjectives, or when a prepositional phrase follows the adjective:
last, next, only and superlative adjectives, or when a prepositional phrase follows the
the only treatment suitable, (or ...the only suitable treatment.)
• * It's the only treatment suitable. (or ...the only suitable treatment.)
It's
an
to
only.
available
offer
club members
is
• « It It is an offer available to club members only.
different meanings
concerned, involved, opposite, present, responsible. These words have
• * concerned, involved, opposite, present, responsible. These words have different meanings
ES
noun and immediately after it.
before a
Compare:
used
when they are
when they are used before a noun and immediately after it. Compare:
I was asked for my present address. (= my address now) and
( @ • ° Iwas asked for my present address. (= my address now) and
All the people present (= who were there) approved of the decision.
* «> • * • + All the people present (=who were there) approved of the decision. (= involved), and
__ Adieciives: position (2) => INTER teachers have complained to
The party was excellent, and I'd like to thank all the people concerned (= involved). and
The party was excellent, and I'd like to thank all the people concerned
• ¢
Cars drive too fast past the school and concerned (= worried) teachers have complained to
Cars drive too fast past the school and concerned (= worried)
the police.
the police.
Adjectives: position (2) => IfflffiEl