An attributive adjective is one that logically qualifies a subsequent adjective, and cannot be separated from it. Thus something may be a large mouse and a small mammal (i.e. large for a mouse, small for a mammal). If the qualified adjective is suppressed, ambiguity may result. The doctrine is frequently advanced that the adjective ‘good’ is attributive, implying a subsequent kind or qualification. If this is right it may make no sense to talk simply of a good thing or good state of affairs, and this is often regarded as undermining some of the attraction of utilitarianism. See also alienans.