Adjectives | Attributive Position

When adjectives go before nouns, they are used attributively. When they go after be (is, am, are, was, were) and other copular verbs, they are used predicatively.

Some adjectives can only be used attributively. That means they can only go before nouns. Examples are: elder, eldest, live, little etc.

Some adjectives can only be used predicatively. Examples are: afraid, afloat, alight, alike, alive, alone, asleep, awake

Worksheet

Say whether the adjectives are used attributively or predicatively in the sentences given below.

1. It is an interesting question.
2. She is my elder sister.
3. The girl looked happy.
4. I felt cold.
5. It was a horrible experience.
6. He is the right person for this job.
7. We have known each other for a long time.
8. Before he even realised it, he grew old.
9. A fierce battle ensued.
10. It is dangerous to play with knives.

Answers

1. attributive – Here the adjective interesting goes before the noun question.
2. attributive – Here the adjective elder goes before the noun sister.
3. predicative – Here the adjective happy goes after the copular verb looked.
4. predicative – Here the adjective cold goes after the copular verb felt.
5. attributive – Here the adjective horrible goes before the noun experience.
6. attributive – Here the adjective right goes before the noun person.
7. attributive – Here the adjective long goes before the noun time.
8. predicative – Here the adjective old goes after the copular verb grew.
9. attributive – Here the adjective fierce goes before the noun battle.
10. predicative – Here the adjective dangerous goes after the verb is.

See also

• Attributive position of adjectives
• Predicative position of adjectives