According to Jane Straus, author of The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, it’s actually pretty simple: Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and can be inserted between them. Examples: He is a strong, healthy man. The man is strong and healthy; hence a comma.
Can you connect two sentences with a comma?
Using Commas to Combine Sentences Writing Commons | How are commas used? Commas alone cannot join two complete sentences. However, a comma combined with a coordinating conjunction can join two complete ideas of equal weight and importance. When combining sentences… Use coordinating conjunctions with a comma Such as and, but, or, so, for (meaning “because”), and yet
What are the rules for using a comma?
Comma Rule 1: Use a comma when two sentences are joined with and, or, but, or nor. When two complete sentences are joined with and, or, but, or nor, place a comma before the and, or, but, or nor. A sentence that has two or more verbs but does not have two complete sentences does not require a comma. Example
When two complete sentences are joined by a comma?
Only use a comma when you join two complete sentences or three or more items in a row. The comma always goes before the coordinating conjunction. When using a semicolon to create a compound sentence, be sure there is an independent clause (word group that can stand alone as a sentence) on both sides. *Be careful about the word for .
What does a comma do, exactly?
com·ma
- Grammar A punctuation mark ( , ) used to indicate a separation of ideas or of elements within the structure of a sentence.
- A pause or separation; a caesura.
- Any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Polygonia having wings with irregularly notched edges and a small comma-shaped marking on the underside of the hind wing.
How do you use two adjectives in a sentence?
For example, we can write "He's a funny young boy," or "She's a smart, energetic woman." When you use more than one adjective, you have to put them in the right order, according to type. It is correct to write, "I have a small red car", but it is not correct to write, "I have a red small car".
Can you have two adjectives together in a sentence?
When two adjectives are used together to describe a noun, they are sometimes called "paired adjectives" (they are also sometimes called coordinate & cumulative adjectives).
Do you put a comma between 3 adjectives?
Use a comma between consecutive coordinate adjectives. Don't use a comma between cumulative adjectives. Coordinate adjectives modify a noun equally and separately. When coordinate, each adjective modifies the same noun separately and equally.
How do you arrange multiple adjectives in a sentence?
3:569:10How to use multiple adjectives in a sentence? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThese are delicious. Now that's my opinion you may not even like the you may not even find what iMoreThese are delicious. Now that's my opinion you may not even like the you may not even find what i find delicious. So these are delicious.
How many adjectives can be used in a sentence?
In English, two or three adjectives modifying a noun tend to be the usual limit. It should be noted that adjectives can be also formed from two or more words combined by the use of hyphens (compound adjectives).
Can you use 3 adjectives together?
The order of adjectives when using two or more adjectives. There are general rules for using two or more adjectives together. In most cases adjectives are placed before the noun. It is not common to used more then 3 adjectives together, but it is possible and is grammatically correct.
What are examples of cumulative adjectives?
Cumulative adjectives are two or more adjectives that build upon each other. Three, adorable, and gray are all cumulative adjectives in the phrase "three adorable gray lambs." But cumulative adjectives aren't randomly placed to describe the noun — they follow a specific order.
How do you arrange adjectives in a sentence?
They do not follow a special order. And they have different punctuation rules. The order of cumulative adjectives is as follows: quantity, opinion, size, age, color, shape, origin, material and purpose.
What order do adjectives appear in?
Native English speakers know intuitively that certain types of adjectives need to appear in a particular order. These adjectives are not coordinate but cumulative. While we sometimes make exceptions (surprise!), the order is typically quantity, opinion, size , age , color , shape, origin, material, and purpose.
How to tell if an adjective is a coordinate?
The rulebooks tell us to put commas between coordinate adjectives—that is, adjectives that are equal in meaning—but it is not always easy to tell when adjectives are coordinate. Apply two simple tests to be sure: 1 First, place the word and between the two adjectives. 2 Second, reverse them. 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.
What Are Coordinate Adjectives?
The rulebooks tell us to put commas between coordinate adjectives—that is, adjectives that are equal in meaning —but it is not always easy to tell when adjectives are coordinate. Apply two simple tests to be sure:
Is "winding" a comma?
The adjectives in sentence three— narrow, winding, and treacherous —are coordinate with one another, so the commas are appropriate . The word and would sound fine between those words (“the narrow and winding roads” or “the winding and treacherous roads”), and we could easily rearrange the three modifiers in any order.
Do you need a comma between blue and wool?
In sentence 2, we do not need a comma between the words blue and wool because the two adjectives are not coordinate. It would sound illogical to say “blue and wool sweaters” or “wool blue sweaters.”
Do you put a comma between "long and tedious" and "long and tedious"?
Let’s try those two tests on sentence 1: We could say “a long and tedious planning session” or “a tedious, long planning session.” Thus, we need the comma between the words long and tedious. However, we could not say “a tedious and planning session,” nor could we say “a planning, tedious session .” Thus, we should not use a comma between the words tedious and planning.
Do you put a comma in front of a noun?
Remember, of course, that we never use a comma in front of the noun or pronoun being modified or between adverbs and the adjectives they modify.
How to put a comma after a word?
If necessary, insert a comma (or commas) by clicking the space (s) after the appropriate word (s ). If the sentence is punctuated correctly, click "correct as is" at the end of the sentence.
Why do we put a comma in a sentence?
Sometimes a comma is inserted to clarify that two adjectives modify an adjective-noun combination.
What is a series of adjectives that comes before a noun?
A series of adjectives that comes before a noun can be classified as coordinate or cumulative.
Do you use a comma between a cumulative adjective?
Definition: Cumulative adjectives build upon each other and must be in a certain order. They are equally important and give different types of information. Do not use commas between cumulative adjectives.
When to use a comma in a sentence?
According to Jane Straus, author of The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, it’s actually pretty simple: Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and can be inserted between them. Examples: He is a strong, healthy man . The man is strong and healthy; hence a comma. We stayed at an expensive summer resort.
Is there a comma in "special fresh flavor"?
It’s a “ special fresh flavor.”. Since it’s not likely one would say “special and fresh flavor,” the “and” rule applies. Not only that, the phrase “special fresh flavor” means something different from “fresh special flavor.”. The reversal rule works well here as well to demonstrate that no comma is needed.
When to use a comma in a list?
When you have a list that contains more than two elements, use commas to separate them. Julie loves ice cream books and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books, and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books and kittens. (The comma before the and in a list of three or more items is optional.
When to use a comma before a word?
Use a comma before the word but if it is joining two independent clauses:
What Is a Comma?
While a period ends a sentence, a comma indicates a smaller break. Some writers think of a comma as a soft pause—a punctuation mark that separates words, clauses, or ideas within a sentence.
When do you need a conjunction?
When you want to join two independent clauses , you need a conjunction or a semicolon. A comma alone isn’t strong enough to join them. This kind of mistake is called a comma splice.
Is a comma a subject or verb?
With few exceptions, a comma should not separate a subject from its verb.
When writing a date in month-day-year format, do you put a comma?
When writing a date in month-day-year format, set off the year with commas.
When addressing another person by name, do you put a comma?
When addressing another person by name, set off the name with commas.
Let’s See What You Already Know
What Are Coordinate Adjectives?
- The rulebooks tell us to put commas between coordinate adjectives—that is, adjectives that are equal in meaning—but it is not always easy to tell when adjectives are coordinate. Apply two simple tests to be sure: 1. First, place the word andbetween the two adjectives. 2. Second, reverse them. If, in both instances, the resulting phrase still sounds...
Test The Method
- Let’s try those two tests on sentence 1: We could say “a long and tedious planning session” or “a tedious, long planning session.” Thus, we need the comma between the words long and tedious. However, we could not say “a tedious and planning session,” nor could we say “a planning, tedious session.” Thus, we should not use a comma between the words tedious and planning. In senten…
Coordinate vs. Cumulative Adjectives
- Native English speakers know intuitively that certain types of adjectives need to appear in a particular order. These adjectives are not coordinate but cumulative. While we sometimes make exceptions (surprise!), the order is typically quantity, opinion, size, age, color, shape, origin, material, and purpose. Notice the order of the adjectives in the following sentence: “Henry bake…
One Final Point
- Remember, of course, that we never use a comma in front of the noun or pronoun being modified or between adverbs and the adjectives they modify.
How to Know If A Comma Is Needed
- A way to determine if a comma is required between two adjectives is to mentally put the conjunction "and" between them. As a result: 1. If the sentence makes sense (even if you change the order of the adjectives), use a comma. 2. If the sentence doesn't seem correct, do not use a comma to separate the adjectives.
More Guidelines to Determine The Use of Commas with Adjectives
- Noticing whether a particular order of adjectives sounds right or wrong is not always easy for a non-native speaker. The following tips may help you choose the right option.
More Examples
- Using comma
1. I didn't enjoy the insipid, tasteless soup. 2. I hate dealing with these complicated, intricate problems. 3. She is a kind, wise woman. 4. The long, narrow pathalong the east bank invites you to explore and discover more. 5. The intelligent, talented young teachersolved the scientific proble… - Without comma
1. My brother bought an astonishing yellow car. 2. My girlfriend has a long black hair. 3. Her sister needed a large computer desk, so she bought it this morning. 4. My friend is a tall German guywho can speak five languages. 5. Try this delicious big hamburger. 6. I didn't enjoy the first two years…
Conclusion
- Deciding whether to place a comma between two adjectives is not always easy for non-native speakers. This strategy, however, will help you punctuate them correctly: 1. Place a comma if reordering the adjectives of the sentence seems correct. 2. If you are still not sure whether to put a comma: 2.1. Add a comma between two adjectives when: 2.1.1. using three or more colors(e.…