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 The purpose of
adjectives is to help the reader create a
mental picture of the person, place, thing, or idea you are describing.
If you are using two or more adjectives to
create this description, you need to separate them with
commas to be sure that the reader is able
to form a clear picture.
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Use a comma to separate two or more
adjectives that modify a noun. |
Remember these two conditions to check for
adjectives
that need to be separated by
commas:
- Do the two or more adjectives
describe different features and can their order be changed without
losing the meaning? If so, place commas
between them.
- Do the adjectives work together to
create one description? If the order is changed would you change
the meaning? If so, no commas are
needed between them.
Let's practice using
commas
with adjectives!
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For each sentence below, click
once to check your answer,
and then once more for an explanation if you need one.
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- My huge gentle chocolate Labrador retriever is named Fudge.
- Fudge leaps into the air to fetch his old beat-up red frisbee.
- The famous historic ship Old Ironsides is anchored in Boston.
- I love vanilla ice cream in a fresh crispy waffle
cone.
- Ron always wears his old light blue sweatsuit everywhere he goes.
How did you do?
Remember, when you
have two or more adjectives
describing a noun, you need to put a comma
after each one except for the last one if the
adjectives describe different traits.
If the
adjectives work together to create one
trait, no
comma is
needed.
Click on the Chalk board to return to the lesson on
commas to separate
adjectives!
There are many other important and useful
comma rules that you should know to improve your communication
when you write. Follow the links below to the lessons that
introduce them:
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