Adjective order
In English adjectives have to be listed in a certain order or they sound weird. Most English speakers don't realize they know this.
Here's the ordered list:
- Opinion
- Size
- Age
- Shape
- Color
- Origin
- Material
- Purpose
For example you can't rearrange the adjectives in this sentence without the result sounding awful or losing meaning.
Lovely little old rectangular green French silver whittling knife
It's one of a myriad of special rules in English language. Consider:
Terrible old conveyer belt
vs:
Old terrible conveyer belt
I'm sure there are exceptions to this rule. The only consistency in English is how inconsistent it is. Let me know if you find any.
If I didn't already speak the language I would hate it.
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