Coordinate AdjectivesWhen do I need a comma?

The Rule… Adjectives are coordinate when they

work equally to modify another word:

The pianist played a beautiful, haunting melody.

Both “beautiful” and “haunting” modify (describe) the noun “melody.”

Ask yourself this…. Can I reverse the adjectives and the

sentence still make sense?

The pianist played a beautiful, haunting melody.

The pianist played a haunting, beautiful melody.

Here is where it gets tricky… The cold December wind chilled me to

my bones.

Why is this different?

Answer… The two “descriptors” build on each

other. Think about how it sounds if you reverse them….

The December cold wind chilled me to my bones.

What is the problem??

So…. The rule… There is NO comma when you CAN’T

switch the modifiers.

Also, if you can put the word “and” between the adjectives, then you DO need a COMMA.

Try these…

In the attic, we found old thin paper cutouts we played with when we were children.

The poster depicted a brown-haired blue-eyed child wearing a red denim shirt.

For breakfast, we ate two oversized blueberry muffins.

We bought two dozen boxes of mouth-watering peanut butter Girl Scout cookies.

The answers…

In the attic, we found old, thin paper cutouts we played with when we were children.

The poster depicted a brown-haired, blue-eyed child wearing a red denim shirt.

For breakfast we ate two oversized blueberry muffins.(no commas)

We bought two dozen boxes of mouth-watering peanut butter Girl Scout cookies. (no commas)

Bell ringer:With your shoulder partner, discuss the “rules” of coordinate adjectives. A person begin please. Be prepared for me to call on you.

How would you correct this sentence with coordinate adjectives?

I live in a very old run-down house built in the last century.

What does this sentence need?That tall distinguished good looking fellow is my boyfriend.

What does this sentence need?Did you read about the

mayor’s happy short life in today’s obituary?

What does this sentence need?

We arrived on time for the annual October festival. We noticed there were shiny orange pumpkins for sale.

What does this sentence need?The Bentonville dancers are

performing in old polyester uniforms tonight; they look ridiculous!