Commas with coordinate adjectives

key notes :

What are Coordinate Adjectives?

• Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that describe the same noun equally and can be reordered or separated by a comma.

The Comma Rule:

• Use a comma between two coordinate adjectives if they equally describe the noun and can be switched around without changing the meaning.
• Example: “The long, winding road” (You could say “The winding, long road,” and it still makes sense).

Test for Coordinate Adjectives:

• Switch the adjectives: If the meaning doesn’t change when the adjectives are reordered, they are coordinate adjectives.
• Insert “and”: If you can place “and” between the adjectives without changing the meaning, use a comma.
• Example: “The big, scary dog” (You could say “The big and scary dog”).

Do Not Use a Comma with Non-Coordinate Adjectives:

• Non-coordinate adjectives work together in a fixed order to describe a noun and should not be separated by commas.
• Example: “The three little pigs” (You cannot say “The little three pigs,” so no comma is used).

Common Mistakes:

• Avoid using a comma between adjectives when one adjective modifies the noun as a whole.
• Example: “A beautiful old house” (No comma because “old” modifies the house, not equally alongside “beautiful”).

let’s practice!