Cumulative vs. Coordinative Adjectives

Question 1

What is the difference between cumulative and coordinative adjectives?

Answer 1

Cumulative adjectives build upon each other and cannot be reversed or separated with a comma. Coordinative adjectives are equal, can be reversed, and should be separated by a comma.

Question 2

How can you test if adjectives are coordinative?

Answer 2

Try reversing the adjectives or inserting ‘and’ between them. If the sentence still makes sense, they are coordinative.

Question 3

Do cumulative adjectives require a comma?

Answer 3

No, cumulative adjectives do not take a comma between them.

Question 4

Do coordinative adjectives require a comma?

Answer 4

Yes, coordinative adjectives should be separated by a comma.

Question 5

Which type of adjective pair is in ‘an old wooden chair’?

Answer 5

Cumulative

Question 6

Which type of adjective pair is in ‘a bright, cheerful room’?

Answer 6

Coordinative

Question 7

What type are the adjectives in ‘a red brick building’?

Answer 7

Cumulative

Question 8

What type are the adjectives in ‘a kind, generous teacher’?

Answer 8

Coordinative

Question 9

What kind of adjectives are ‘tall’ and ‘lanky’ in ‘a tall lanky figure’?

Answer 9

Coordinative

Question 10

What kind of adjectives are ‘delicate’ and ‘gold’ in ‘a delicate gold necklace’?

Answer 10

Cumulative