Comments on: Ordering adjectives http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/ordering-adjectives/ Is your grammar as good as your code? Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:34:27 +0000 hourly 1 By: LesterSmith http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/ordering-adjectives/#comment-74 LesterSmith Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:43:34 +0000 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/ordering-adjectives/#comment-74 As Stevegs points out, the explanation contradicts the answer.

The problem, I believe, is in trying to create a “rule” from a “rationale.” Yes, most people would agree that metal is the most critical adjective here; it defines something essential about the devices. The reason “b” seems the better order of “big” and “ugly,” however, has to do with rhythm. It’s poetics.

Regarding the role of grammar in cases like these, see “[A href="http://www.upwritepress.com/BlogRetrieve.aspx?PostID=103899&A=SearchResult&SearchID=542354&ObjectID=103899&ObjectType=55"]Not Just One but Four Grammars – and Why That’s Good[/A].”

]]> By: Stevegs http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/ordering-adjectives/#comment-72 Stevegs Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:00:20 +0000 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/ordering-adjectives/#comment-72 The answer given is [B]‘b’[/B] but the logic of the reason supports[B] ‘a’[/B]. if opinion is ‘last’ or furthest from the noun being modified, then the word order should be ugly (opinion), big (size) metal (material) devices. But the ‘natural’ order which is usual and customary is big (size), ugly (opnion) metal (material) devices.

So something seems out of alignment here.

******
You’re right — I think I made the assumption that the seeming natural order would be correct. I’m going to have to dig around and see if I can find out some other reason I’m right. ;-)

Thanks for commenting!

Ivy

]]>