Adjective order

If you are using more than one adjective before a noun, there is often a specific order in which they must be placed.

For example:

A black leather jacket

A leather black jacket

Here is a short acronym to help you remember: OSASCOMP. Below you will find an explanation for each letter and some example sentences.

Rule 1: OSASCOMP – O for opinion

Adjectives that talk about opinions, judgements or attitudes usually come first.

	Opinions, judgements or attitudes	Noun
a	lovely	jacket.
a	perfect	plate.
an	expensive	bike.

Rule 2: OSASCOMP – S for size

Adjectives relating to size, length and height come next. For example:

	Judgements, opinions or attitudes	Size, length, height	Noun
a	lovely	large	jacket.
a	perfect	big	plate.
an	expensive	–	bike.

Rule 3: OSASCOMP – A for age

Next are any adjectives relating to age

	Judgements, opinions or attitudes	Size, length, height	Age	Noun
a	lovely	large	new	jacket.
a	perfect	big	old	plate.
an	expensive	–	modern	bike.

Rule #4: OSASCOMP – S for shape

	Judgements, opinions or attitudes	Size, length, height	Age	Shape	Noun
a	lovely	large	new	–	jacket.
a	perfect	big	old	round	plate.
an	expensive	–	modern	–	bike.

Rule #5: OSASCOMP – C for colour

Next are the adjectives that talk about colour.

	Judgements, opinions or attitudes	Size, length, height	Age	Shape	Colour	Noun
a	lovely	large	new	–	black	jacket.
a	perfect	big	old	round	white	plate.
an	expensive	–	modern	–	red	bike.

Rule #6: OSASCOMP – O for origin

This refers to adjectives that say where the noun is from.

	Judgements, opinions or attitudes	Size, length, height	Age	Shape	Colour	Origin	Noun
a	lovely	large	new	–	black	–	jacket.
a	perfect	big	old	round	white	Chinese	plate.
an	expensive	–	modern	–	red	Italian	bike.

Rule #7: OSASCOMP – M for material

This refers to what the noun is made of.

	Judgements, opinions or attitudes	Size, length, height	Age	Shape	Colour	Origin	Material	Noun
a	lovely	large	new	–	black	–	leather	jacket.
a	perfect	big	old	round	white	Chinese	porcelain	plate.
an	expensive	–	modern	–	red	Italian	–	bike.

Rule #8: OSASCOMP – P for purpose

This refers to what the noun is used for (e.g. wedding ring). They are often nouns used as adjectives.

	Judgements, opinions or attitudes	Size, length, height	Age	Shape	Colour	Origin	Material	Purpose	Noun
a	lovely	large	new	–	black	–	leather	–	jacket.
a	perfect	big	old	round	white	Chinese	porcelain	dinner	plate.
an	expensive	–	modern	–	red	Italian	–	sports	bike.

Important notes:

1. The adjectives used in the tables above are examples only. It is uncommon in English to use more than three adjectives in the same sentence to describe a noun.

2. Some adjectives can be found in different positions, but if you follow the OSASCOMP rule you won’t be wrong!

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Now take the end of lesson review