English grammar
Same adjective, different meaning: an old friend vs a friend who is old, poor Ramón vs a poor man
Use old, poor, great and big so they mean what you want.
From the scene A great man, a big man
In short
Some adjectives change meaning: an old friend (for years), poor Ramón (I feel sorry), a great man (important), a big man (large).
Your turn
Which one goes with old after be = elderly?
Options: an old friend; my old boyfriend · a great man, not a big man · not a friend who's old
Show answer
old after be = elderly → not a friend who's old
How it works
Some English adjectives change meaning with their position.
Good to know
Before a noun, old can mean for a long time or former (an old friend, my old boyfriend); after be or in a who-clause it means elderly (a friend who's old).
Good to know
Poor + a name means I feel sorry for him (poor Ramón); a poor man has no money. A great man is important; a big man is large.
old before a noun = for years / former an old friend; my old boyfriend
Elena
An old friend, Ramón: for many years. Not a friend who's old.
Viejo amigo, Ramón: de hace muchos años. No un amigo viejo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), Ramón: for many years. Not a friend who's old.
Options: An old friend · A great man · Poor Ramón
Show answer
Elena
An old friend, Ramón: for many years. Not a friend who's old.
Viejo amigo, Ramón: de hace muchos años. No un amigo viejo.
old after be = elderly not a friend who's old
Elena
An old friend, Ramón: for many years. Not a friend who's old.
Viejo amigo, Ramón: de hace muchos años. No un amigo viejo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
An old friend, Ramón: for many years. (blank).
Options: Not a friend who's old · An old friend; my old boyfriend · Not a big man
Show answer
Elena
An old friend, Ramón: for many years. Not a friend who's old.
Viejo amigo, Ramón: de hace muchos años. No un amigo viejo.
great = important; big = large a great man, not a big man
Elena
Not at all! He was one metre sixty. A great man, not a big man.
¡Qué va! Medía uno sesenta. Un gran hombre, no un hombre grande.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Not at all! He was one metre sixty. (blank).
Options: Not a friend who's old · A great man, not a big man · An old friend; my old boyfriend
Show answer
Elena
Not at all! He was one metre sixty. A great man, not a big man.
¡Qué va! Medía uno sesenta. Un gran hombre, no un hombre grande.
poor + name = I feel sorry for him poor Ramón
Elena
You're not a poor man, Ramón. You're poor Ramón.
Pobre no es, Ramón. Es usted un pobre hombre.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
You're not a poor man, Ramón. You're (blank).
Options: my old boyfriend · not a friend who's old · poor Ramón
Show answer
Elena
You're not a poor man, Ramón. You're poor Ramón.
Pobre no es, Ramón. Es usted un pobre hombre.
a poor man = he has no money I'm not a poor man
Ramón
Poor? I'm not a poor man: I own an old building!
¿Pobre? Yo no soy un hombre pobre: ¡tengo un edificio antiguo!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Poor? (blank): I own an old building!
Options: Not a friend who's old · I'm not a poor man · An old friend; my old boyfriend
Show answer
Ramón
Poor? I'm not a poor man: I own an old building!
¿Pobre? Yo no soy un hombre pobre: ¡tengo un edificio antiguo!
Common mistake
Not big or tall here. Elena means important, not tall.
Write this, dear: "Manolo was a great man."
Escribe, cariño: "Manolo era un gran hombre."
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
| old before a noun = for years / former | an old friend; my old boyfriend |
|---|---|
| old after be = elderly | not a friend who's old |
| great = important; big = large | a great man, not a big man |
| poor + name = I feel sorry for him | poor Ramón |
| a poor man = he has no money | I'm not a poor man |
More lines from the story
- ElenaWrite this, dear: "Manolo was a great man."Escribe, cariño: "Manolo era un gran hombre."
- RamónHello. Am I in the book yet?Buenas. ¿Ya salgo yo en el libro?