How To Use Commas With Multiple Adjectives
A comma should be placed between two adjectives of equal rank that describe the same noun.
How to use commas with multiple adjectives. If you want to describe separate characteristics of a noun to your reader place commas between the adjectives. Adjectives describing the same noun which do not have equal rank do not require a comma. Furry three cats cuddled on my lap. If your sentence sounds strange then you have cumulative adjectives and you shouldn t use a comma. Once i saw the sentence you walk down the steep smelly corridor i thought steep is a noun and a verb is missing in smelly corridor because we don t use a comma between two adjectives of different type.
When you re describing something with two or more adjectives you can use a comma between them if those adjectives are coordinating. As you can see the commas between the adjectives affect the meaning of the sentence and how readers will interpret it. Adjectives of equal rank are adjectives that can exchange locations in the sentence with one another such that the sentence will still make sense. Quantity value opinion size temperature age shape colour origin material. Sometimes though you don rsquo t use a comma between two adjectives nbsp.
They re coordinating if you could place and between them you shouldn t put a comma after the final adjective. If in both instances the resulting phrase still sounds appropriate we are most likely dealing with coordinate adjectives and should use a comma between them. First place the word and between the two adjectives. In other words they coordinate with one another to describe a noun. The basic rule for using a comma between adjectives is.
If the sentence still sounds normal then you have coordinate adjectives and they need a comma between them. If you want to describe a single characteristic using multiple adjectives leave the commas out. The usual order is. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives that describe a noun. When you use a string of adjectives you often separate the adjectives with commas as in ldquo he is tall dark and handsome rdquo.
For learners of english as a second language it is crucial to be familiar with these rules. You can replace the comma with an and you are able to switch the order of the adjectives without changing the meaning of the sentence if one ignores the rule for the adjective order it is easier to see how the order can be switched without changing the meaning of the sentence. Coordinate adjectives versus cumulative adjectives block qdt book qdt book the com. Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives.