Coordinate Adjectives

31. When Do I Use Commas?

F. To coordinate adjectives

I. Coordinate adjectives are words that apply to and describe some attribute of the same noun or subject. To do this effectively, however, the author must separate them by a comma—otherwise the reader may confuse the adjectives as a singular modifier and not a coordinate pair.

• Example: “The Tigris River ends near the Persian Gulf in a wide, swampy delta.”

This usage can be tested in two ways:

1. Reverse the order of the adjectives. Is the meaning of the sentence still clear?

• Example: “The Tigris River ends near the Persian Gulf in a swampy, wide delta.”

2. Place the conjunction 'and' between the adjectives. Is the meaning of the sentence still clear?

• Example: “The Tigris River ends near the Persian Gulf in a wide and swampy delta.”

If the sentence passes both tests, it uses coordinating adjectives. If not, it uses a singular adjective employing more than one word. These cannot be separated by commas or conjunctions without destroying their meaning.

• Example: “The Roman emperor Flavius was named for his ruby red hair.”
• Example: “The Roman emperor Flavius was named for red ruby hair.” (wrong)
• Example: “The Roman emperor Flavius was named for his red and ruby hair.” (wrong)

Note: do not use the comma between the last adjective and the noun to which it refers.

• Example: “The Assyrians employed fierce, brutal tactics against their opponents.”
• Example: “The Assyrians employed fierce, brutal, tactics against their opponents.” (wrong)

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I.	Coordinate adjectives are words that apply to and describe some attribute of the same noun or subject. To do this effectively, however, the author must separate them by a comma—otherwise the reader may confuse the adjectives as a singular modifier and not a coordinate pair.
	• Example: “The Tigris River ends near the Persian Gulf in a wide, swampy delta.”
	This usage can be tested in two ways:
	1. Reverse the order of the adjectives. Is the meaning of the sentence still clear?
	• Example: “The Tigris River ends near the Persian Gulf in a swampy, wide delta.”
	2. Place the conjunction 'and' between the adjectives. Is the meaning of the sentence still clear?
	• Example: “The Tigris River ends near the Persian Gulf in a wide and swampy delta.”
	If the sentence passes both tests, it uses coordinating adjectives. If not, it uses a singular adjective employing more than one word. These cannot be separated by commas or conjunctions without destroying their meaning.
	• Example: “The Roman emperor Flavius was named for his ruby red hair.” • Example: “The Roman emperor Flavius was named for red ruby hair.” (wrong) • Example: “The Roman emperor Flavius was named for his red and ruby hair.” (wrong)
	Note: do not use the comma between the last adjective and the noun to which it refers.
	• Example: “The Assyrians employed fierce, brutal tactics against their opponents.” • Example: “The Assyrians employed fierce, brutal, tactics against their opponents.” (wrong)