0
Goronsky Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

The tall, gray building is my company. (Comma Needed?)

The tall, gray building is my company.

Comma needed? Are these adjectives coordinate or non-coordinate?

Thanks
  

Top answer

goronsky The tall, gray building is my company. Do you enjoy the company of that building? goronsky The tall, gray building Yes, you need the comma here.

— Tkacka15

Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

6 Answers
0
goronskyThe tall, gray building is my company.
Do you enjoy the company of that building?
goronskyThe tall, gray building
Yes, you need the comma here. I wouldn't coordinate the adjectives with "and" in that particular noun phrase.
0
0
That's where it gets confusing.

We wouldn't say 'the tall AND gray building', so why the comma?

In this one below, would we use a comma?

The big, brown bear scared us.

Why or why not?
0
0
goronskyThat's where it gets confusing.We wouldn't say 'the tall AND gray building', so why the comma?In this one below, would we use a comma?The big, brown bear scared us.Why or why not?
That's from the Practical English Usage by Michael Swan:

"When the adjectives come in 'attributive' position (before a noun), and is not so often used.
0
0
Thanks.
0
0
So, would 'the big, brown bear' take the comma?

The bear is 'big' and he is 'brown', so is the comma good?
0
0
goronskySo, would 'the big, brown bear' take the comma?The bear is 'big' and he is 'brown', so is the comma good?
My understanding is that if you use adjectives in a sort of list of attributive features describing the noun-phrase head, then the comma is needed. When you treat adjectives in the attributive positions as the one combined characteristic of the nou
0