POSITION OF ADJECTIVES
A single Adjective used attributively is generally placed immediately before the noun; as,
King Francis was a hearty king and loved royal sports.
Where are you going, my pretty maid, with your rosy cheeks and golden hair?
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done.
Observe the difference in meaning between:-
(i) a great nobleman's son, and
(ii) a nobleman's great son.
In poetry, however, the Adjective is frequently placed after the noun; as,
Children dear, was it yesterday.
We heard the sweet bells over the bay.
O man with sisters dear!
When several Adjectives are attached to one noun they are generally placed after it for emphasis; as
There dwelt a miller hale and bold.
The King, fearless and resolute, at once, advanced.
Franklin had a great genius, original, sagacious, and inventive.
When some word or phrase is joined to the Adjective to explain its meaning, the Adjective is placed after its noun; as,
He was a man fertile in resources.
A Sikh, taller than any of his comrades, rushed forward.
In certain phrases, the Adjective always comes after the noun
Heir apparent, time immemorial, lord paramount, viceroy elect, letters, patent, knights temporal, notary public, body politic, God Almighty.
