Can an Adjective Go After a Noun in English? Explained with Examples

Discover when and why adjectives can appear after nouns in English, including fixed phrases and poetic uses.

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Yes, an adjective can go after a noun in some cases. This construction is common in languages like Spanish and French. In English, postpositive adjectives are rare but do occur in certain fixed phrases like 'attorney general' or 'court martial.' In poetry and rhetorical contexts, adjectives after nouns can add emphasis or a stylistic effect.**

FAQs & Answers

  1. What are postpositive adjectives? Postpositive adjectives are adjectives that appear immediately after the noun they modify, as opposed to the usual English order where adjectives come before nouns.
  2. Why do some English phrases have adjectives after nouns? Some English fixed phrases, often borrowed from French or legal terms, place adjectives after nouns for historical or stylistic reasons, such as 'attorney general' or 'court martial.'
  3. Can adjectives after nouns be used for emphasis? Yes, in poetry and rhetorical contexts, placing an adjective after a noun can add emphasis or create a stylistic effect.

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