una persona única‘a unique person’
la única persona‘the only person’(b) The overtone placed on the adjective by the speaker, which may be distinctive or
simply neutral, as in:Es un valle fértil.
It is a fertile valley (fertile as opposed to barren or dry).or affective, as in:Es un fértil valle.
It is a fertile valley (with the adjective no longer contrasting with its
opposite, and functioning as a block with the noun it qualifies).(c) The type of adjective, which with some adjectives is essentially distinctive, and
therefore is used always after the noun. Among them we find adjectives indicating
nationality and place of origin, shape, substance, purpose, etc.:un avión británico‘a British aeroplane’
una señora catalana‘a Catalan lady’
un caja cuadrada‘a square box’
un cuchara plástica‘a plastic spoon’
una calle peatonal‘a pedestrian street’Adjectives indicating colour normally follow the noun:un vestido negro‘a black dress’But note:
la blanca montaña‘the white mountain’ (with the adjective
acquiring a subjective and affective overtone)(d) Style and regional differences, both beyond the scope of this book, but suffice it to
say that there is a tendency in some areas of the Spanish-speaking world towards an
increased use of the adjective in a preceding position with respect to the noun.5.2 (p. 25)
36.1.3 Other ways of describing people, places and things
Ser is not the only verb used in descriptive language. In fact, we can use a number of
constructions involving other verbs, where the aim may go beyond that of simple
description. Consider for instance:Desde la distancia pudo observar la figura alta y erguida de Isabel.
From the distance he/she was able to observe the tall and upright figure
of Isabel. 21.1 (p. 99)
A verb frequently used when describing the attributes possessed by a person, a place or
a thing is tener, ‘to have’, found in sentences like the following:Ana tiene ojos azules.
Ana has blue eyes.Referring to a subject’s nature or identity 36.1