Correct order of adjectives

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi

I am aware that there is no fixed order of descriptive words, but still I would like to go on with this question. :shock:

[color=red]Professor English Grammar:

Shape+Age

1- It is a round old table.

[color=red]Michael Swan

Age+Shape

1- It is an old round table.

I would like to know what sounds more natural to your native ears.

Tom

2

Hi Tom,

I’ll go for old round table. Round old table to me sounds odd because it suggests that you and the table are old mates as in expressions like: You silly old thing/You dear old chap - in other words old is being used in an affectionate way. The rough guide for order is that the evaluative one comes before the descriptive one. So in your example: What sort of table is it? Answer it’s old. What does it look like? Answer it’s round.

Alan

3

Hi Tom

I’d also go for “old round table”. :smiley:

By the way, who or what is “Professor English Grammar”?

Amy

4

Dear Amy

“Professor English Grammar” is a famous grammar book in Pakistan like Michael Swan’s Practical English Usage. It consists of almost 50 pages, and each page shows a new grammar rule.

Tom

5

.
I’d favour Swan over the Professor if I were you, Tom.
.

6

Hi Tom

Thanks for the information.

Amy

PS
I agree with MM. :wink: