Correct order of adjectives

[Tom]

Hi

I am aware that there is no fixed order of descriptive words, but still I would like to go on with this question.

Professor English Grammar:

Shape+Age

1- It is a round old table.

Michael Swan

Age+Shape

1- It is an old round table.

I would like to know what sounds more natural to your native ears.

Tom

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

I'll go for old round table. Round old table to me sounds odd because it suggests that you and the table are old mates as in expressions like: You silly old thing/You dear old chap - in other words old is being used in an affectionate way. The rough guide for order is that the evaluative one comes before the descriptive one. So in your example: What sort of table is it? Answer it's old. What does it look like? Answer it's round.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a flat hunter

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

I'd also go for "old round table".

By the way, who or what is "Professor English Grammar"?

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Tom]

Dear Amy

"Professor English Grammar" is a famous grammar book in Pakistan like Michael Swan's Practical English Usage. It consists of almost 50 pages, and each page shows a new grammar rule.

Tom

[Mister Micawber]

.
I'd favour Swan over the Professor if I were you, Tom.
.
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Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

Thanks for the information.

Amy

PS
I agree with MM.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English