In “Commas, Parts 1 and 2,” I gave you four rules for how to use a comma. In this lesson, we’ll examine two rules that represent more advanced concepts for using the comma.
Rule 1: Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and can be inserted between them.
Examples:
He is a strong, healthy man.
We stayed at an expensive summer resort. (You would not say expensive and summer resort, so no comma.)
Rule 2: Use a comma when an -ly adjective is used with other adjectives.
NOTE: To test whether an -ly word is an adjective, see if it can be used alone with the noun. If it can, use the comma.
Examples:
Felix was a lonely, young boy. (Lonely is an adjective because it can be used alone with boy.)
I get headaches in brightly lit rooms. (Brightly is not an adjective because it cannot be used alone with rooms; therefore, no comma is used between brightly and lit.)
Pop Quiz
Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. Answers are at the bottom.
1A. Juanita has grown up to be a lovely, intelligent woman.
1B. Juanita has grown up to be a lovely intelligent woman.
2A. Be careful before walking on the hot, sharp lava.
2B. Be careful before walking on the hot sharp lava.
3A. That was a wonderfully, delicious dinner we had last night.
3B. That was a wonderfully delicious dinner we had last night.
4A. Edward seems very proud of his bright, red car.
4B. Edward seems very proud of his bright red car.
Pop Quiz Answers
1A. Juanita has grown up to be a lovely, intelligent woman.
2A. Be careful before walking on the hot, sharp lava.
3B. That was a wonderfully delicious dinner we had last night.
4B. Edward seems very proud of his bright red car.
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