The Secret Rule of Adjectives You Use Every Day

10/04/2025

Have you ever tried to describe something and found that the words just tumbled out in a specific order? You'd say "a silly little green dog," but never "a green little silly dog." It just sounds wrong, doesn't it?

This isn't a coincidence. It's an unspoken rule of English grammar that native speakers learn without ever being taught in a classroom. This rule governs the order in which we place adjectives before a noun, and it’s surprisingly specific. While it might feel like instinct, there is a method to the madness.

The Adjective Order Revealed (infographic)

Linguists have identified a preferred order for adjectives. While there are some variations, the general sequence is often remembered by acronyms like OSASCOMP. It breaks down like this:

1. Opinion: This is your judgment or attitude about the noun. Words like lovely, awful, strange, or beautiful go here.

2. Size: This describes the physical size of the noun. Examples include huge, tiny, long, or short.

3. Age: This tells us how old the noun is. Think ancient, new, young, or six-year-old.

4. Shape: This describes the physical shape. Words like square, round, or triangular fit here.

5. Color: This one is straightforward. Blue, red, yellow, and so on.

6. Origin: This tells us where the noun is from. Examples include American, British, or lunar.

7. Material: This describes what the noun is made of, such as wooden, silk, or silver.

8. Purpose: This describes what the noun is used for. This adjective often acts almost like a part of the noun itself. Examples include sleeping (as in sleeping bag) or roasting (as in roasting pan).

So, when you see a "lovely little old round red French wooden jewelry box," it sounds perfectly natural because it follows this hidden pattern. If you were to say "a French red old wooden jewelry lovely little box," it would sound like a jumbled mess.

You're a Grammar Genius and Didn't Know It

The most fascinating part of this rule is that you already knew it. You’ve been using it your whole life. It’s a perfect example of how complex language is and how our brains absorb intricate patterns without conscious effort. So, the next time you describe your big old friendly dog, give yourself a pat on the back. You are following a sophisticated grammatical rule without even thinking about it.