parts of speech

coordinating conjunction

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses. There are seven of them, and you can remember them with the acronym FANBOYS. When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, a preceding comma is required.

ADJECTIVES and COMMAS

Today's Lunchbox Lesson: ADJECTIVES and COMMAS When two or more adjectives precede a noun, sometimes you will need a comma to separate them and sometimes you won't. How are you supposed to know? There's a quick way for you to tell -- it's called the "AND TEST" The "AND TEST" works like this: If it sounds very natural to put the word "and" in between the adjectives, you need a comma. If "and" sounds funny at all, forget the comma. For example, "I was behind a little old lady at the checkout line." (..."a little AND old lady"? ...This doesn't quite sound natural -- it doesn't get a comma) The sentence should be: "I was behind a little old lady at the checkout line." For example "That is a lovely soft fuzzy sweater." ( ... a lovely AND soft sweater? ... sounds good — it gets a comma) ( ... a soft AND fuzzy sweater? ... sounds good — it gets The sentence should be: "That is a lovely, soft, fuzzy sweater." For example, "Can you help me move this heavy bulky TV?" (..."heavy AND bulky TV"? ... sounds good -- it gets a comma) The sentence should be: "Can you help me move this heavy, bulky TV?" Remember: if it sounds natural to put the word "and" in between the adjectives, you need a comma! Sounds GOOD = GETS a comma. Sounds FUNNY = FORGET the comma **If you liked this lesson, you'll love our grammar program. Check out Analytical Grammar today! www.analyticalgrammar.com**