Create Grammatically Correct Noun Groups with This Order of Adjectives Chart

Last weekend, I saw a wooden vintage brown small old chair in a shop window.

It doesn’t sound quite right, does it? That’s because the adjectives are in the wrong order!

Many students make the same mistake when trying to add adjectives to make their writing more descriptive. The intent is well-placed, but often, the execution is not! That’s because there are distinct rules in English surrounding the order that adjectives must follow when creating a noun group. This is sometimes referred to as the “royal order of adjectives.”

This order of adjective chart displays the nine main types of adjectives in the correct sequence, showing students how to build longer noun groups without confusion. With clear examples and a bold, easy-to-read design, it serves as both a teaching aid and a reference tool for everyday writing tasks.

This order of adjectives chart is available as a full-color or black-and-white PDF or editable Google Slides file. 

Read on to learn more about why knowing the order of adjectives is important for students!

Why the Order of Adjectives Matters in Student Writing

Understanding the order of adjectives is an important step in developing strong writing skills. Without this knowledge, students may struggle to make their sentences sound natural and grammatically correct. As shown in the example above, when adjectives are written in the wrong order, the sentence just sounds wrong!

Here’s why teaching this concept is so valuable:

• Clarity in communication – Sentences are easier to understand when adjectives are written in a logical order and the sequence is grammatically correct.
• Confidence in writing – When students learn the correct order of adjectives, they can use multiple adjectives in their writing without second-guessing themselves. 
• Supports language acquisition – Learning that there are different categories of adjectives reinforces knowledge of parts of speech and enhances general vocabulary.

By displaying this adjective order chart in your classroom, students will have a consistent reminder of the correct order of adjectives that they can easily reference during writing activities. 

Download Your Order of Adjectives Table Today!

Use the Download button to access your preferred version of this order of adjectives table. Please note that you will be required to make a personal copy of the Google Slides file before you can access it.

Print and display on your classroom bulletin board. Refer to the display whenever your students need a reminder of the correct order of adjectives!

Resources to Complement This Adjective Order Chart

Looking for more resources to supplement your grammar program? Click below to browse more curriculum-aligned resources from the Teach Starter team!

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Wheely Wonderful Words – Overused Adjectives

Banish overused adjectives with a handy adjective-synonym word wheel!