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My Curriculum VitaePractice your Spanish or English! Try to reply in the same language as the OP. |
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![]() Last edited by Deibi12; March 01, 2017 at 05:00 PM. |
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#3
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Quote:
Here is another example of coordinate adjectives: A tall, dark figure loomed before her. |
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Sorry to disagree, but "tall, dark" absolutely needs a comma (reference 'coordinate adjectives'). Many people write the phrase without the comma, as evidenced by a search on the internet, but that doesn't mean the rule doesn't exist.
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May I join in? Rusty is quite correct. Fowler (my English grammar bible) says commas are inserted in lists of adjectives. However, if the last or latter adjective is in closer relation to the noun than the earlier one(s) than there is the convention that commas may be omitted: a good little boy; a super-efficient liquid-cooled rear engine. etc.
However, he also says that with a list, there should be a comma before the and, such as excesses of public, political, and intellectual opinion. This is known as the Oxford comma (which is of course omitted by the Cambridge University Press on principle). I don't think this is used much these days, but I still use it. ![]() |
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Thanks, Perikles.
Adding to my previous comment, here are a couple of sites that list the two tests you can use to determine whether adjectives are coordinate or cumulative: http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000072.htm http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02/ (see item 6.) |
#8
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Just google it and I assure you you wont find tall,dark stranger. I just aint grammar
![]() When two adjectives together, one modifies the adjective and not the noun. In order for them to be separate from each other the word and must be inserted. ![]()
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Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias. |
#9
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I said "tall, dark figure" (and the OP's objective says "responsible, hardworking person who" (I think)). These adjectives pass the two tests mentioned above, so they are coordinate adjectives and need to be separated by a comma.
Lots of people write "tall dark stranger," and it's proper to do so. Like Perikles said, if the last adjective is in closer relation to the noun than the previous, then no comma is used. This is because they are cumulative adjectives. Ask yourself the two questions listed in the sites I provided links to. Can you reverse these adjectives? ("dark tall stranger") Nope, that doesn't sound right. This is because 'dark' is more closely paired with 'stranger'. Now, let's change 'dark' to 'dark-haired'. Test results: you can insert 'and' in between the adjectives and you can reverse them. Both adjectives modify the noun equally, so these are coordinate adjectives and they must be separated with a comma. Google "a tall, dark-haired man" and you'll find that lots of people use the comma correctly. Likewise, google "a responsible, hardworking person who" and you'll find that most people correctly use the comma. One person who didn't use the comma correctly also misspelled 'references' in the same sentence. Oops! |
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The sea is angry blue (specific color). The sea is blue and angry (very choppy but blue).
The comma is used only when the adjectives are separate and modify the noun. The comma in this case is only used when there are three separate adjectives. If there are only two separate adjectives the word and takes the place of the comma.
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Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias. Last edited by poli; January 06, 2012 at 12:29 PM. Reason: typo |
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Quote:
![]() Meanwhile, as a light aside, I have just read a news report which demonstrates the absurdity when you omit a comma: Quote:
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#12
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...which is almost as bad as comma overkill.
By the way: I am now seeing this as a moot point and a matter of style. Lots commas, especially when they are not necessary are de trop.
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Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias. Last edited by poli; January 06, 2012 at 12:37 PM. |
#13
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Was that intentional? There is a comma missing from that and I'm sure it has to be there.
The root statement is: Lots (of) commas are de trop When you interject some comment or restriction, surely you have to contain it within commas for it to read properly: Lots commas, especially when they are not necessary, are de trop. What,,,, do,,,, you,,, think? |
#14
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Ha ha it was a typo, but I have been giving this more thought.
When two adjectives are used to modify the noun, one of the adjectives takes on the characteristics of an adverb. For example delicious cold ice cream can also be said in the following way: deliciously cold ice cream. Neither of them require commas. Even though it's a bit much (or as you may write I write a bit, much), if you want to add one between the two adjectives, do so.
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Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias. Last edited by poli; January 06, 2012 at 01:38 PM. |
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Frase de un currículum | irmamar | Translations | 9 | January 22, 2010 11:42 PM |