Reason why single adjective is behind the noun

Question

hello! ^^I learned that singluar adjective usully comes before noun.but frequently singluar adective comes after noun.for example:mission impossible, fish raw, money leftwhat is difference when adjective before/after noun?What is difference  fish raw / raw fish, impossible mission / mission impossible, left money / money leftplease help.....

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

Hi LeeSang,

Let's take your examples one by one.

1. Mission impossible -- This started as a popular TV series, where it was actually Mission: Impossible. The mission was classified as impossible to complete. It's now entered the vocabulary as a set phrase, but the regular position for "impossible" is before the noun. It was an impossible journey. Actually, the more natual place for it is with a linking verb. The jouney was nearly impossible. Your sister is impossible when she gets like this.

2. Fish raw -- I have never seen this. It's very unnatural. I don't like sushi. The thought of eating raw fish just doesn't sit well with me.

3. Money left -- this is an example of a postpositive adjective. You would say "your left hand" for that meaning of "left" but for this (the participle of the verb "to leave" (not included) as an adjective) it comes after the noun.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
I suppose you could say 'He likes his fish raw'. This is another example of the kind of adjective GG described in her point 3.
It's like 'He painted his house blue'.

Best wishes, Clive

Cool Breeze · Answer

In French adjectives often follow nouns and because there was a lot of French influence on English after the Battle of Hastings for about 300 years, in some cases the French word order remains in modern English. Court martial is a good example. There are also many international companies in whose names the adjective international comes after a noun.

CB

LeeSang · Answer

Thanks a lot ^^

Reason why single adjective is behind the noun

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