📝 Types of Adjectives Based on Position

1. Prepositive Adjectives (Attributive Adjectives)

Prepositive adjectives are adjectives that come before a noun in a sentence. This is the most common position for adjectives in English. These adjectives modify the noun by describing its quality, quantity, size, color, etc., and are placed directly before the noun they describe.

Examples of Prepositive Adjectives:

1. A red apple – "red" is the prepositive adjective describing "apple."

2. An old man – "old" comes before "man."

3. Five colorful balloons – "five" and "colorful" are both prepositive adjectives.

4. Beautiful flowers – "beautiful" describes "flowers."

💡Structure: [Adjective] + [Noun]

You can also use more than one adjective before a noun:

• A small round table

• Three large brown dogs

This is different from postpositive adjectives, which come after the noun (used mostly in fixed expressions or some formal/legal/poetic language, e.g., "attorney general" or "time immemorial").

2. Postpositive Adjectives

Postpositive adjectives are adjectives that come after the noun they modify. While most English adjectives are used before nouns (prepositive), postpositive adjectives are less common and usually appear in certain fixed phrases, poetic or formal language, and specific grammatical structures.

✅ Examples of Postpositive Adjectives:

1. The president elect

– "elect" comes after the noun "president."

2. Something important

– "important" follows the pronoun "something."

3. The best option available

– "available" describes "option" but comes after it.

4. A man proud of his work

– "proud of his work" follows and modifies "man."

5. Time immemorial

– A fixed phrase where the adjective "immemorial" comes after "time."

💡 Where Postpositive Adjectives Are Common:

1. After pronouns like: someone, something, anyone, nothing

• She wants something sweet.
• Is there anyone capable?

2. In certain formal or poetic styles:

• Soldiers brave and loyal fought till the end.
• He is a man honorable and just.

3. In set or legal phrases:

• Court martial
• Heir apparent
• Attorney general

3. Predicative Adjectives

Predicative adjectives are adjectives that come after a linking verb and describe the subject of the sentence. They are part of the predicate—hence the name predicative.

✅ Structure:

Subject + Linking Verb + Adjective

🔗 Common Linking Verbs:

• be (am, is, are, was, were)
• seem
• become
• feel
• look
• appear
• sound
• taste
• smell

📘 Examples of Predicative Adjectives:

1. The sky is blue.

– "blue" is a predicative adjective describing "sky."

2. She seems tired.

– "tired" describes "she" and follows the linking verb "seems."

3. The soup tastes delicious.

– "delicious" comes after the verb "tastes" and describes "soup."

4. They became angry.

– "angry" is a predicative adjective after "became."

⚠️ Predicative vs. Attributive (Prepositive) Adjectives:

📝 Types of Adjectives by Position

🔍 Example Breakdown

🧾 Summary Chart

1. Prepositive Adjectives (Attributive Adjectives)

🧠 Function: Describes the noun directly before it

📝 Examples:

• A brave soldier
• The blue sky
• Several interesting books

2. Postpositive Adjectives

✅ Position: Immediately after the noun

🧠 Function: Often used in formal, poetic, or fixed phrases

📝 Examples:

• Someone important
• The president elect
• Heir apparent

3. Predicative Adjectives

✅ Position: After a linking verb (e.g., be, seem, become, feel)

🧠 Function: Describes the subject

📝 Examples:

• She is happy.
• They seem confused.
• The sky became dark.

✏️ Adjective Position Worksheet

🧠 Part A: Read and Understand

Adjective Type Position Example Sentence

Prepositive Comes before the noun ✅ She wore a beautiful dress.

Postpositive Comes after the noun ✅ I saw something strange.

Predicative Comes after a linking verb ✅ The dress is beautiful.

📝 Part B: Identify the Adjective Type

Write P for Prepositive, Po for Postpositive, and Pr for Predicative.

1. The sky is clear. ______

2. A tall man entered the room. ______

3. I found nothing useful. ______

4. Her voice sounds sweet. ______

5. An angry dog barked loudly. ______

6. They seem tired. ______

7. Someone special is coming. ______

8. A shiny red car passed by. ______

9. The meal was delicious. ______

10. Everything necessary is packed. ______

✍️ Part C: Rewrite the Sentences

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence using a different adjective position. (Use the same adjective.)

1. Prepositive ➡ Predicative

o A clever student won the prize.

o ✍️ ___________________________________________________________

2. Predicative ➡ Prepositive

o The car is fast.

o ✍️ ___________________________________________________________

3. Postpositive ➡ Prepositive

o I need something useful.

o ✍️ ___________________________________________________________

🎨 Part D: Create Your Own Sentences

Write one sentence of each type using the adjective "happy":

1. Prepositive: ____________________________________________________

2. Postpositive: ___________________________________________________

3. Predicative: ____________________________________________________