As writers, we’re often told to separate multiple adjectives before a noun with commas. But did you know that this rule isn’t always straightforward? Whether you need a comma between adjectives depends on the type of adjectives you’re using: coordinate or cumulative. In this post, we’ll break down the difference and help you determine when to punctuate adjectives with confidence.

What are coordinate adjectives?

Coordinate adjectives are adjectives that are equal in importance and can be rearranged without changing the meaning of the sentence.

How to Identify Coordinate Adjectives

Here are two simple tests:

1. Can you reverse the order of the adjectives and have the sentence make sense?                         

Example:

• The heavy, bulky TV was difficult to carry.
• The bulky, heavy TV was difficult to carry.

In both cases, the sentence makes sense regardless of the order of the adjectives.

2. Can you insert the word “and” between the adjectives and still have a grammatically correct sentence?

Example:

• The heavy and bulky TV was difficult to carry.

If the sentence still sounds natural with “and” between the adjectives, they are coordinate adjectives and should be separated by a comma.

If your adjectives pass these “tests”, they require a comma separating them.

What are cumulative adjectives?

Cumulative adjectives, on the other hand, work together to describe a noun in a specific order. These adjectives don’t need commas because they can stand independently—they build upon each other to provide a more complete description.

How to Identify Cumulative Adjectives

Cumulative adjectives often follow a particular order, and this order feels natural when we speak or write. Here’s the hierarchy for arranging cumulative adjectives:

1. Articles (e.g., a, an, the), demonstratives (this, those), possessives (mine, yours, Ann’s)
2. Quantity (e.g., few, many, several)
3. Opinion or observation (e.g., funny, smart, pretty)
4. Size (e.g., small, large)
5. Age (e.g., young, old)
6. Shape (e.g., round, square)
7. Color (e.g., blue, red)
8. Origin (e.g., Scottish, Italian)
9. Material (e.g., silk, plastic)
10. Purpose (e.g., baseball, sleeping)

Examples of Correct Cumulative Adjective Order:

• A handsome young Italian man (Not: “A handsome Italian young man”)
• My long red dachshund (Not: “My red long dachshund”)
• A bright green shirt (Not: “A green bright shirt”)
• A small square blue box (Not: “A blue square small box”)

In these examples, the adjectives don’t require commas because they’re working together in a set order to describe the noun.

Summary: How to Punctuate Adjectives

Not all adjectives are created equal, and understanding when to use commas can make your writing clearer and more effective. Here’s a quick recap:

• Coordinate adjectives: These are equal in importance, can be rearranged, and work well with “and” between them. Use commas to separate them.
• Cumulative adjectives: These adjectives build meaning together and follow a specific order. Don’t use commas between them.

By keeping these rules in mind, you’ll know exactly when and when not to punctuate adjectives in your writing.

Pro Tip: If you’re ever unsure, try reading your sentence aloud or swapping the order of adjectives. If it sounds awkward or changes the meaning, you’re likely dealing with cumulative adjectives and don’t need a comma