La place de l’adjectif
1 · Colours, shapes and nationalities: usually after
Use these as everyday models. Each adjective also agrees with its noun.
Elle porte une chemise bleue.She is wearing a blue shirt.
Nous avons une table ronde.We have a round table.
C’est une entreprise italienne.It is an Italian company.
2 · Frequent short adjectives: often before
BANGS recalls Beauty, Age, Number, Goodness and Size. Connect it to familiar words such as joli, jeune, premier, bon and petit.
C’est mon premier cours.It is my first class.
Nous avons un petit jardin.We have a small garden.
3 · A category gives a clue; the word gives the pattern
Age words illustrate the limit of BANGS. Jeune usually comes before; ancien meaning old often follows, as does moderne.
Une jeune collègue habite dans une maison ancienne.A young colleague lives in an old house.
Ils habitent dans une maison moderne.They live in a modern house.
4 · Grand and ancien: position can change meaning
These pairs are useful to keep together.
| un grand homme | a great man |
| un homme grand | a tall man |
| mon ancien professeur | my former teacher |
| une maison ancienne | an old house |
5 · Before a vowel: bel, nouvel, vieil
Use these forms directly before a masculine singular noun beginning with a vowel or mute h. Feminine forms stay belle, nouvelle, vieille.
| un bel arbre | a beautiful tree |
| un nouvel appartement | a new flat |
| un vieil hôtel | an old hotel |
6 · Two adjectives can frame the noun
Give each adjective its usual position. Agreement still follows the same noun on both sides.
Elle choisit une jolie robe verte.She chooses a pretty green dress.
Il porte un vieux manteau noir.He is wearing an old black coat.