Coordinate Adjectives
IELTS
At this point, you're probably familiar with the function of an adjective. It describes or modifies a noun. The sentence, "It's a dog," becomes, "It's a happy dog," with the addition of an adjective. Thanks to the modifier "happy," we know more about the dog. But, what if we wrote:
- It's a happy and lively puppy.
Now, we have two additional bits of information of equal importance in the sentence, and we're looking at an example of coordinate adjectives. Here's another example:
- It's a happy, lively, and well-behaved puppy.
Here, we're still looking at an example of coordinate adjectives. This time, however, they're separated by commas and the word "and." When there are more than two modifiers, we need to use commas to separate the descriptors.
Punctuating Coordinate Adjectives
Coordinate adjectives always come before the noun they're modifying separated by the word "and," commas, or both. Let's take a look at the second example sentence about the puppy. In it, we used two commas and the word "and." But, what if we wrote this:
- It's a happy, lively and well-behaved puppy.
This, too, would be acceptable. It all comes down to the infamous Oxford comma. With coordinate adjectives comes one of the most hotly debated topics in the English language. The Oxford comma, or serial comma, is placed in a series of three or more items.
Some language experts use it, others don't. In this example, the lack of the second comma doesn't change the meaning of the sentence. However, in other instances, the lack of a comma could misconstrue a sentence's meaning.
In our article, "The Oxford Comma: Do You Need It?" we defend its presence in a list of three or more items. To err on the side of clarity, you'll never be wrong if you include a final comma before "and." Let's see a few more examples:
- We awoke to the sound of cheerful and perky songbirds.
- What a gratifying and productive day.
- Our mountain cabin was surrounded by a burbling, gurgling creek.
- I simply could not put down that thrilling, cinematic, and suspenseful book.
- The rusty, creaking, spider-ridden, ugly tractor rotted away in their backyard.
Note our third example about the burbling, gurgling creek. There, we had two adjectives but we didn't separate them with the word "and." Rather, we just used a single comma. This, too, is acceptable when using coordinate adjectives.
As long as both descriptors are independently modifying the same noun, you can choose between a comma or the word "and." The first example about the cheerful and perky songbirds is equally acceptable.
A Word of Caution
Not every descriptor before a noun is serving as an adjective. Consider this line:
- She loves to write with her red fountain pen.
It seems like "red" and "fountain" are both modifying "pen," and should make use of the word "and" or even a comma. However, "red" is modifying the phrase "fountain pen." "Fountain" isn't modifying "pen."
If you're uncertain if you're working with coordinate adjectives, take the words in question and place "and" between them. If it doesn't make sense, you're dealing with a good ol' fashioned descriptive adjective and not a coordinate adjective.
Coordinate Adjectives vs. Cumulative Adjectives
There's one thing to note about the order of coordinate adjectives. Their order isn't set in stone. Rather, it's subject to the writer's preference. These adjectives can independently modify the noun and are, usually, of equal importance.
In the puppy example above, the writer might find each characteristic of the puppy to be of equal measure. As for the order, it would not change the meaning if it read, "It's a lively, happy, and well-behaved puppy."
This puts coordinate adjectives in contrast to their cousin, the cumulative adjective. Cumulative adjectives have a specific order that cannot be altered without changing the meaning of the sentence. These adjectives are dependent upon one another since both are needed to adequately modify the noun. For example:
- We love to dance to our favorite country ballads.
Changing the order of "favorite" and "country" would not only change the meaning but also make the sentence appear illogical.
Coordinated Descriptors
Coordinate adjectives are a great addition to our writing. They help us paint illustrative pictures readers will appreciate. Like our friend, the adverb, you don't want to inundate your sentences with modifiers. They tend to take away from the fluidity of a line of text. But, if they'll help you paint a scene then, by all means, have at it!