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Teacher Tips and Answers

Page 485

485.1 To Separate Adjectives

Commas are used to separate two or more adjectives that equally modify the same noun.

Many intelligent, well-educated scientists think that one of Jupiter’s moons could harbor life.

Intelligent and well-educated are separated by a comma because they modify scientists equally.

Scientists believe this cold Jovian moon has a liquid ocean beneath its surface.

Cold and Jovian do not modify moon equally; therefore, no comma separates the adjectives.

Use these two tests to help you decide if adjectives modify equally. (Try them on the sentences above.)

  1. Switch the order of the adjectives; if the sentence is clear, the adjectives modify equally.
  2. Put the word and between the adjectives; if the sentence reads well, use a comma when and is taken out.

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