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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Coordinate and cumulative adjectives
When do we separate adjectives by commas, by hyphens and neither?
Please clear this up for me, as I have all this information, but I don't know how to apply it.
- Cumulative adjectives don't use commas, but I think sometimes they can use hyphens??
- Coordinate adjectives use commas, always.
- I also learned that if there is no confusion by leaving out commas, then leave them out.
- And finally, I heard that if the adjectives aren't specific to the noun, then don't use commas; if they are specific, use commas???
Please clear this up for me, as I have all this information, but I don't know how to apply it.
Top answer
You probably already have a better handle on it than I do, but as for your last question: Yes. "When each of several adjectives preceding a noun modifies the noun individually, the adjectives should be separated with commas: It was a large, well-placed, beautiful house . However, if the last adjective identifies the noun rather than merely modifying it, no comma should precede it: His is the large brick house on the corner.
- You probably already have a better handle on it than I do, but as for your last question: Yes.
- "When each of several adjectives preceding a noun modifies the noun individually, the adjectives should be separated with commas: It was a large, well-placed, beautiful house .
- However, if the last adjective identifies the noun rather than merely modifying it, no comma should precede it: His is the large brick house on the corner.
- " ( A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations , KL Turabian)
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5 Answers
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You probably already have a better handle on it than I do, but as for your last question: Yes.
"When each of several adjectives preceding a noun modifies the noun individually, the adjectives should be separated with commas: It was a large, well-placed, beautiful house.
However, if the last adjective identifies the noun rather than merely modifying it, no comma should p
"When each of several adjectives preceding a noun modifies the noun individually, the adjectives should be separated with commas: It was a large, well-placed, beautiful house.
However, if the last adjective identifies the noun rather than merely modifying it, no comma should p
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Mister MicawberHowever, if the last adjective identifies the noun rather than merely modifying it, no comma should precede it: His is the large brick house on the corner."
Thank you, MM. What about the second to last, third to last etc?
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And now that I think about it, this example you have given is has cumulative adjectives. Hence, no commas are used.
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Cummulative adjectives always come before the noun and they must be in specific order.
1) Article, demonstrative pronouns, possessive
2) Quantity
3) Opinion
4) Appearance: size
shape/length
condition
5) Age
6) Color
7) Nationality & religion
8) Material
1) Article, demonstrative pronouns, possessive
2) Quantity
3) Opinion
4) Appearance: size
shape/length
condition
5) Age
6) Color
7) Nationality & religion
8) Material
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Coordinate Adjectives can come before or after the noun; and they do NOT need to follow specific order. They can be separated by commas.
Example: The captain's enthusiastic, supportive encouragement gave the team members great confidence.
The dog was lonely, abandoned, hungry and lost.
Example: The captain's enthusiastic, supportive encouragement gave the team members great confidence.
The dog was lonely, abandoned, hungry and lost.
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