English grammar
A red shirt, the shoes are black
Say what colour things are.
From the scene The red shirt
In short
Put the colour before the thing, or after be. A colour never adds -s: red shoes.
Your turn
Which one goes with be + colour?
Options: The shoes are black. · a red shirt, a red dress · red shoes (not reds shoes)
Show answer
be + colour → The shoes are black.
How it works
A colour goes before the noun, the word for the thing (a red shirt), or after be (the shoes are black).
Good to know
Like other adjectives, a colour never changes: red shirts, black shoes, never "reds" or "blacks". A colour can also stand alone: I like red.
colour + noun a red shirt, a red dress
Nuria
I'm looking for a red shirt.
Busco una camisa roja.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I'm looking for (blank).
Options: a red shirt · The shoes are black · red shoes
Show answer
Nuria
I'm looking for a red shirt.
Busco una camisa roja.
be + colour The shoes are black.
Javi
No, the shoes are black.
No, los zapatos son negros.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No, (blank).
Options: a red shirt · red shoes · the shoes are black
Show answer
Javi
No, the shoes are black.
No, los zapatos son negros.
no -s on the colour red shoes (not reds shoes)
Nuria
And red shoes?
¿Y zapatos rojos?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank)?
Options: red shoes · a red shirt · The shoes are black
Show answer
Nuria
And red shoes?
¿Y zapatos rojos?
the colour itself I like red.
Your turn
What goes with I like red.?
Options: colour + noun · be + colour · the colour itself
Show answer
I like red. → the colour itself
Common mistake
Not is here. Shoes = more than one.
No, the shoes are black.
No, los zapatos son negros.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| colour + noun | a red shirt, a red dress |
|---|---|
| be + colour | The shoes are black. |
| no -s on the colour | red shoes (not reds shoes) |
| the colour itself | I like red. |
More lines from the story
- JaviYes, we've got a red dress.Sí, tenemos un vestido rojo.
- JaviHi, Nuria. What are you looking for?Hola, Nuria. ¿Qué buscas?
- JaviWe've got red shirts. And blue ones too.Tenemos camisas rojas. Y también azules.