Placement

Adjectives in English are invariable. They do not change their form depending on the gender or number of the noun.

Examples

• This is a hot potato.
• Those are some hot potatoes.

To emphasize or strengthen the meaning of an adjective, use the adverbs very or really in front of the adjective you want to strengthen.

Examples

• This is a very hot potato
• Those are some really hot potatoes.

Adjectives in English usually appear in front of the noun that they modify.

Examples

• The beautiful girl ignored me.
• The fast red car drove away.

Adjectives can also appear after being and sensing verbs like to be, to seem, to look & to taste.

Examples

• Italy is beautiful.
• I don't think she seems nice at all.
• You look tired.
• This meat tastes funny.

Some exceptions

Adjectives appear after the noun in some fixed expressions.

Examples

• The Princess Royal is visiting Oxford today.
• The President elect made a speech last night.
• He received a court martial the following week.

The adjectives involved, present & concerned can appear either before or after the noun that they modify, but with a different meaning depending on the placement.

Examples

• involved
  • I want to see the people involved.
    • I want to see the people who have something to do with this matter.
  • It was an involved discussion.
    • The discussion was detailed & complex.

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• present
  • Here is a list of the people present at the meeting.
    • Here is a list of the people who were at the meeting.
  • The present situation is not sustainable.
    • I need to see the man concerned by this accusation.

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• concerned
  • I need to see the man concerned by this accusation.
    • I need to see the man who has been accused.
  • A concerned father came to see me today.
    • A worried father came to see me today.