Coordinate Adjectives

​Coordinate Adjectives

Coordinate adjectives are words that apply to and describe some attribute of the same noun or subject. To do this effectively, however, the author must separate them by a comma—otherwise the reader may confuse the adjectives as a singular modifier and not a coordinate pair.

• Example: “The Tigris River ends near the Persian Gulf in a wide, swampy delta.”

How to test if adjectives are coordinate

​This usage can be tested in two ways:

1. Reverse the order of the adjectives. Is the meaning of the sentence still clear?

• Example: “The Tigris River ends near the Persian Gulf in a swampy, wide delta.”

2. Place the conjunction 'and' between the adjectives. Is the meaning of the sentence still clear?

• Example: “The Tigris River ends near the Persian Gulf in a wide and swampy delta.”

If the sentence passes both tests, it uses coordinating adjectives. If not, it uses a singular adjective employing more than one word. These cannot be separated by commas or conjunctions without destroying their meaning.

• Example: “The Roman emperor Flavius was named for his ruby red hair.”

• Example: “The Roman emperor Flavius was named for red ruby hair.” (wrong)

• Example: “The Roman emperor Flavius was named for his red and ruby hair.” (wrong)