The stylistic ordering of English modifiers

Abstract

Learners and teachers alike are torn between two divergent views on order of adjectives: the first view is hinged on the fact that adjectives can be used in any order so long as it makes sense; this is generally referred to as notional acceptability. The other however claims that adjectives should be used in a normal and prescribed order. This paper examines the pre-modifying elements and their co-occurrence in a structure of modification or a nominal group in English language. The paper identifies five constituents that can precede the head noun in a structure of a noun phrase and argues that the constituents do not only follow a normal order in English Language but more importantly, they are mutually and stylistically exclusive.