How To Use Commas With Multiple Adjectives
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.
How to use commas with multiple adjectives. Try reversing the order of the adjectives. Adjectives describing the same noun which do not have equal rank do not require a comma. As you can see the commas between the adjectives affect the meaning of the sentence and how readers will interpret it. Quantity value opinion size temperature age shape colour origin material. Coordinate adjectives versus cumulative adjectives block qdt book qdt book the com.
The usual order is. Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives. Sometimes though you don rsquo t use a comma between two adjectives nbsp. If the sentence still sounds normal then you have coordinate adjectives and they need a comma between them. A comma should be placed between two adjectives of equal rank that describe the same noun.
If you want to describe a single characteristic using multiple adjectives leave the commas out. They re coordinating if you could place and between them you shouldn t put a comma after the final adjective. If your sentence sounds strange then you have cumulative adjectives and you shouldn t use a comma. The basic rule for using a comma between adjectives is. When you use a string of adjectives you often separate the adjectives with commas as in ldquo he is tall dark and handsome rdquo.
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. Coordinate adjectives modify the same noun to the same degree. In other words they coordinate with one another to describe a noun. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives that describe a noun.
Furry three cats cuddled on my lap. 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. When you re describing something with two or more adjectives you can use a comma between them if those adjectives are coordinating. Ordering multiple adjectives when a number of adjectives are used together the order depends on the function of the adjective.