Learn English Basic Grammar With Simple Examples

An adjective used attributively is generally placed immediately before the Nouns;as,

• King Francis was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport.
• Where are you going, my pretty maid, with your rosy cheeks and golden hair?
• O Captain ! my Captain ! our fearful trip is done.

Observe the difference in meaning between:

•  a great nobleman's, and
   a nobleman's great son.

In poetry, however, the Adjective is frequently placed after the Noun;as,

• Children dear, was it yesterday?
• We heard the sweet bells over the bay.
• O man with sisters dear !

When several Adjectives are attached to one noun they are sometimes placed after it for emphasis;as,

• There dwelt a miller hale and bold.
• The king, fearless and resolute, at once advanced.
• Franklin had a great genius, original, sagacious, and inventive.

When some words or phrase is joined to the Adjective to explain its meaning, the Adjective is placed after its noun;as,

• He was a man fertile in resource.
• A Sikh, taller than any of his comrades, rushed forward.

In certain phrases the Adjective always comes after the Noun;as,

• Heir apparent, time immemorial, lord paramount, viceroy elect, letters patent, knights temporal, notary public, body politic, God Almighty.