What is a Cumulative Adjective?
We use adjectives to define, explain, and give layers to nouns or pronouns. And sometimes, we need more than one adjective to achieve that. Cumulative adjectives are two or more adjectives modifying the same noun such as thrilling old Japanese film or lively little yellow lights.
Because they act as a group of words describing one thing (or person), cumulative adjectives are also called unit modifiers. So, how do we order multiple descriptors describing one noun?
The Sequence of Cumulative Adjectives:
In English, adjectives normally follow this sequence:
| Order | Categories | Example Adjectives |
| 1 | quantity | three, few, half |
| 2 | opinion | bright, thrilling, innovative, unbelievable, heartful, popular |
| 3 | size | little, huge, tall |
| 4 | physical quality | smooth, rough, slimy |
| 5 | shape | round, rectangular, human-shaped |
| 6 | age/condition | old, new, modern, vintage |
| 7 | color | yellow, gray, blue |
| 8 | origin/ethnicity/subject | Japanese, American, Asian, Christian |
| 9 | material | rubber, glass, cotton |
| 11 | purpose | moisturizing, deep-cleaning, container |
Order isn’t the only thing that matters; You should also consider how many adjectives you use to describe each noun. Although they make nouns more definite, too many descriptors can overload and weaken your writing. So, pile the perfect amount and drop the weightless.
For example, here are some sentences with well-ordered cumulative adjectives:
- She gave us three difficult long History exams this morning.
[four adjectives: quantity – opinion – size – subject; modified noun: exams]
- Several award-winning classic Bollywood films delve into poverty and privilege.
[four adjectives: quantity – opinion – age – origin; modified noun: films]
- They bought a cheap old blue car yesterday.
[three adjectives: opinion – age – color; modified noun: car]
- We stayed in a quiet small vintage cabin for weeks.
[three adjectives: opinion – size – age; modified noun: cabin]
These short adjectives may look like they can be reordered, but doing that will disrupt their modifying impact. Remember that cumulative adjectives are sequenced for a reason. To clarify, each adjective powers the next to make up a unit that defines the noun. As a result, notice how the rearranged adjectives in “we stayed in a vintage small quiet cabin for weeks” do not make sense.
In short, the examples above are for the sake of discussing the cumulative adjectives order only. Now that you know how to sequence them, you can discern when to use them. Don’t throw in unnecessary modifiers when you can opt for brevity and clarity. For example:
- He bought two super pricey branded bags because of his raise.
- He bought two luxury bags because of his raise.
Cumulative Adjectives vs. Coordinate Adjectives:
Unlike cumulative adjectives, coordinate adjectives are not strict with sequence. Coordinate adjectives are two or more equally important adjectives modifying the same noun. They are separated by commas or the word and, for example:
- She offered some eye-opening, remarkable, and fresh insights.
Rearranging the coordinate adjectives in this sentence does not alter its meaning:
“She offered some remarkable, fresh, and eye-opening insights.”
Similarly, here are more examples of coordinate adjectives:
- Your passionate, fearless views on social issues inspired me.
- It’s been a long, draining day.
- She’s a sunny, artistic, and spiritual woman.
Related Reading: Comma Use – Pause, Take a Break
Coordinate adjectives are relatively easier to grasp than cumulative adjectives. But using them is still a matter of style and purpose. Therefore, don’t over adorn your piece with dragging modifiers. Instead, look for nouns and verbs that paint your thoughts.
Thank you for reading. We hope it’s effective! Always feel free to revisit this page if you ever have any questions about cumulative adjectives or coordinate adjectives.
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