The Role of Adjectives with Indefinite Articles in English: An Analysis

Is it grammatically correct to place an adjective after a noun when using the indefinite article in English? This question touches on the nuances of English grammar and the flexibility of the language in various contexts. In this article, we will explore the typical placement of adjectives, special circumstances where adjectives can follow nouns, and examples where the indefinite article is involved.

Standard Placement of Adjectives

The most common and standard placement of an adjective in English is before the noun it modifies, regardless of the presence or type of article. For example:

The blue sky A fiery inferno

Adjectives after nouns, while not as common, do exist in certain linguistic contexts. These contexts often include archaic or poetic language, as well as specific idiomatic expressions and legal jargon.

Archaisms and Poetic Usage

Some expressions where adjectives follow nouns are archaic or poetic in nature. Examples include:

Time immemorial Persons unknown

These expressions can appear without articles or with specific articles. For instance:

Distances untravelled
Voices unheard
Timelines unyielding

As mentioned, in such contexts, the adjective follows the noun and functions more poetically than grammatically. Examples include "Poet laureate," which can take various forms:

A poet laureate The poet laureate Our poet laureate

Special Cases with the Indefinite Article

There are special cases where the adjective can be positioned after the noun, particularly with indefinite pronouns. Examples include:

Someone important Nobody special Something new

While these phrases do not strictly have articles, they are used as indefinite pronouns and can still perform a grammatical function. An exception might be seen with negated phrases, which are a bit less common and more awkward:

Nobody important

Linguistic Expansions and Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions often include structures where adjectives follow nouns, especially in legal contexts or specific phrases. Examples include:

Attorney general Heir apparent President elect

These phrases, often used in legal or formal settings, can be used with or without the indefinite article, and sometimes do not require one at all.

Examples and Special Cases

Here are a few more examples that illustrate these points:

Example 1: "A room available that week is unlikely." Here, "available" is part of a larger unit that functions as a noun. Implicitly, it could be rephrased as "A room that is available that week is... "

Example 2: "He surprised the guests with a story untold before now." Similarly, "untold before now" is part of a unit that functions as a noun. This could be rephrased as "a story that has been untold before now."

Example 3: "The doctor declared the victim dead." Here, "dead" is a predicate adjective, meaning "the doctor declared that the victim was dead" or "the doctor declared the victim to be dead."

Conclusion

While the standard placement of adjectives is before the noun, special circumstances allow for adjectives to follow nouns in English. This flexibility is particularly evident in archaic, poetic, and idiomatic expressions, as well as in legal and formal contexts. Understanding these nuances can help improve language comprehension and usage.