Commas with coordinate adjectives

Key Notes:

1. Definition of Coordinate Adjectives:

• Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that independently modify a noun in a sentence.
• They are equal in importance and can be rearranged without changing the meaning of the sentence.

2. Using Commas Between Coordinate Adjectives:

• Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives when they modify the same noun.
• Example: She had a long, tiring day.
  (Both “long” and “tiring” describe the day equally.)

3. Testing for Coordinate Adjectives:

• Test 1: Try reversing the adjectives. If the sentence still makes sense, they are coordinate adjectives.
• Example: It was a cold, windy night. → It was a windy, cold night.
  (Both are correct, so use a comma.)
• Test 2: Insert “and” between the adjectives. If this works without changing the meaning, they are coordinate adjectives.
• Example: It was a cold and windy night.

4. Non-coordinate Adjectives:

• Non-coordinate adjectives do not require a comma. They cannot be rearranged or joined by “and.”
• Example: She wore a bright red dress.
  (“Bright” modifies “red,” and “red” modifies “dress,” so no comma is needed.)

5. Comma Rule Summary:

• Use commas between coordinate adjectives but not between non-coordinate adjectives.
• Example: The tall, majestic mountains were breathtaking.
  (Both “tall” and “majestic” describe the mountains independently, so a comma is required.)

6. Common Mistakes:

• Adding a comma between non-coordinate adjectives.
• Example: Incorrect: She wore a blue, silk dress. (Here, “blue” and “silk” are non-coordinate.)