Lecture Notes
Commas Between Adjectives
From our discussion of pp. 224-226

Comma Rule #1

Place commas between items in a series.

The "Between" Rule as It Pertains to Adjectives

Whenever you start getting descriptive, you may find yourself stacking adjectives together as a way to increase the specific, descriptive details.  Sometimes you should put commas between the adjectives and sometimes you shouldn't.  How can you tell when you should and when you should not?
Between Coordinate Adjectives
Coordinate adjectives are those that carry equal weight—like co-workers in an organization.  It doesn't matter which comes first because they both have equal emphasis.  It does not matter which order coordinate adjectives appear in.

EXAMPLE:
Willy had a long, bushy beard.
Willy had a bushy, long beard.

It does not matter which comes first: long or bushy.  These are coordinate adjectives.  Notice the comma between the adjectives.

NOT Between Cumulative Adjectives
Cumulative adjectives build their meaning in one particular order.  You can not switch them around and still make sense.

EXAMPLE:
Willy wore his black basketball shoes.
Willy wore his basketball black shoes.  (This sounds silly, doesn't it?)

The order of black and basketball does matter; black must appear first in the sentence.  These are cumulative adjectives: they build their meaning in one order only.  Notice there is no comma between them.

The Bottom Line

Place commas between coordinate adjectives (which can be switched around).
Willy had a long,bushy beard. (comma between long and bushy)
DO NOT place commas between cumulative adjectives (whose meaning builds in one order only).
Willy wore his black basketball shoes. (no comma)
DO NOT place commas before or after a series of adjectives that precedes a noun.
Willy had a long,bushy, beard. (That second comma is a no-no.)
Check Your Answers

Click HERE to compare your answers (to the exercises, pp. 224-25) to the instructor's answers.
 

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