Commas with Coordinate Adjectives
A Grade 8 ELA worksheet focusing on the correct use of commas with coordinate adjectives, including identification, application, and sentence construction exercises.
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Commas with Coordinate Adjectives
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Read each section carefully and follow the instructions. This worksheet will help you understand and apply the rules for using commas with coordinate adjectives.
What are Coordinate Adjectives?
Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that modify the same noun or pronoun independently. They describe the noun in similar ways and are of equal importance. You can usually tell if adjectives are coordinate if you can switch their order and/or place the word 'and' between them without changing the meaning of the sentence. If they are coordinate, they should be separated by a comma.
Example: The tall, majestic tree stood proudly.
Non-coordinate (Cumulative) Adjectives: These adjectives do not modify the noun independently. They build on each other, and their order cannot be changed. No comma is used between cumulative adjectives.
Example: She bought a beautiful antique wooden table.
1. In the sentence, 'The small, fluffy cat purred contentedly,' the coordinate adjectives are and .
2. The , wind howled through the empty streets. (Choose two coordinate adjectives to fill the blanks.)
3. 'The old, rusty bicycle was left in the rain.' The adjectives 'old' and 'rusty' are adjectives.
Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly with coordinate adjectives.
1. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
The bright, red apple looked delicious.
The bright red apple looked delicious.
The, bright red apple looked delicious.
The bright red, apple looked delicious.
2. Select the sentence with correct comma usage.
He wore a comfortable, old, brown jacket.
He wore a comfortable old, brown jacket.
He wore a comfortable old brown, jacket.
He wore a comfortable, old brown jacket.
Rewrite the following sentences, adding commas where necessary to separate coordinate adjectives. If no comma is needed, write 'Correct'.
1. The smooth shiny surface reflected the light.
2. She held a fragile antique porcelain doll.
3. The tall dark stranger approached the counter.
4. It was a cold dreary winter morning.
Write two sentences of your own using coordinate adjectives. Underline the coordinate adjectives and correctly place any necessary commas.