CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2a
The Standard
Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (e.g., It was a fascinating, enjoyable movie but not He wore an old[,] green shirt).
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to know when two adjectives equally describe the same noun and need a comma between them. They should test by switching the adjective order or putting “and” between them. If both sound right, use a comma.
Mastery looks like students placing commas correctly in their own sentences and explaining why. They often get stuck with adjective order, especially size, age, color, and material, like “small wooden box,” where no comma is needed.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs sentence strips with adjectives and nouns, then have them sort into “needs comma” and “no comma” piles using the and test.
- Ask students to explain the difference between “a bright, cheerful room” and “a bright yellow room” in two sentences.
- Display five sentences and have students add commas only where needed, then write “switch” or “and” as their proof.
- Have students describe three items in the classroom using two adjectives each, then check which descriptions need commas.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2a
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2c
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.2a
Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.2b
Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.2c
Use commas in dates and to separate single words in a series.