When you use a string ofadjectives, you often separate the adjectives with commas, as in “He is tall, dark, and handsome.” Sometimes, though, you don’t use a comma between two adjectives. Coordinate adjectives versus cumulative adjectives The comma rule comes down to the difference between...
There is a two-part test for coordinate adjectives: (1) Can you replace the comma with the word and? (2) Can you reverse the order of the adjectives and keep the same meaning? If you can do both, then you have coordinate adjectives. ...
First, we try placing the wordandbetween the two adjectives. Second, we 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. Let's try those two tests on sentence 1: We...
To join independent clauses with a conjunction, such as and, or, but, or so. Example Select Options, and then select Enable fast saves. Writing tip If the sentence is long or complex, consider rewriting as two sentences. In a series of two or more adjectives that precede a noun, if ...
When beginning a sentence withso(or any other conjunction), most grammar resources state that you don’t need to put a comma afterso. However, ifsois followed by an interrupting phrase, it would be followed by one of the two commas used to set the phrase apart from the main sentence. ...
Separating multiple coordinating adjectives Separating quotations and attributive tags There are a lot of technical English words in that list, but don’t worry. We explain everything in detail below. Commas with lists When you have a list that contains more than two elements, use commas to se...
Commas go anywhere you feel like pausing;it's personal preference. It's fine to put just a comma between two complete sentences. Cumulative adjectives get commas, while coordinate adjectives do not. Which sentence uses an ellipsis correctly?
Rule 2. Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the order of the adjectives is interchangeable. Example: He is a strong, healthy man. We could also say healthy, strong man. Example: We stayed at an expensive summer resort. We would not say summer expensive resort, so no comma. Anot...
Comma with Adjectives Serial Comma Commas with Participial Phrases Dashes, Parentheses, and Commas Dashes, Colons, and Commas * After I posted this, it occurred to me that I should be more specific about this comma rule. Something like “Today’s record, is tomorrow’s motivation,” is wrong...
Itwasacrispautumnday.Weattendedtheparalegalorientationmeeting.Inthefirstexample,theadjectiveautumnactsasaunitwiththenounday,sothereisnocommabetweencrispandautumn.Onewaytorememberthisistotestwhetheryoucouldlogicallylinkthetwoadjectiveswith"and."Ifso("Itwasashortandinformalmeeting"),usethecomma.Ifinsertingthe"...