Word Order — Adjective Placement
English adjectives come BEFORE the noun; French mostly puts them after
Category: Word Order
The Rule
English: adjective + noun ('a red car'). French: usually noun + adjective ('une voiture rouge'). Some French adjectives precede (grand, petit, beau) but most follow. English ALWAYS precedes.
Why This Matters
French: 'une maison blanche' (a house white). English: 'a white house'. While French has a few pre-noun adjectives (BAGS: Beauty, Age, Goodness, Size), English puts ALL adjectives before the noun. French speakers regularly produce 'a house beautiful'.
Examples
• an interesting book — "un livre intéressant" [English: interesting + book (reversed from French)] • the French government — "le gouvernement français" [Nationality adjectives also go BEFORE in English] • a cold winter day — "un jour d'hiver froid" [Multiple adjectives: all before the noun]
Common Mistakes
❌ I bought a car red. ✅ I bought a red car. → Direct transfer from French 'voiture rouge'. English requires adjective before noun. ❌ the government French ✅ the French government → Even nationality adjectives precede the noun in English.
Quick Tip
English rule is simple: ALL adjectives go BEFORE the noun. No exceptions for color, nationality, or any other category. 'A big red French car' — everything before 'car'.
English rule is simple: ALL adjectives go BEFORE the noun. No exceptions for color, nationality, or any other category. 'A big red French car' — everything before 'car'.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: I bought a car red. → Correct: I bought a red car.. Direct transfer from French 'voiture rouge'. English requires adjective before noun.
Incorrect: the government French → Correct: the French government. Even nationality adjectives precede the noun in English.
Quiz
Which is correct?