Is a comma required between adjectives? Some find it difficult to write sentences that include several adjectives in a row, and ask similar questions.

Let's compare two examples:

This is a revolutionary, comprehensive, universal care.

How are these two proposals different? Why are there no commas in the first one, but they are in the second one? To answer these questions, you need to understand what function adjectives perform in a sentence, whether they are homogeneous members of a sentence.

What are homogeneous members of a sentence?

Members of the proposal, which answer the same question and refer to the same defined word are called homogeneous.

Let's look at a few examples.

I know where to buy(what?) bread and cheese.

Went on sale(what kind?) red, yellow and blue balls.

In the first sentence, the nouns refer to the verb "buy" and answer the question "what?". The definitions in the second example answer the question "what?" and their defined word is the subject "balls".

Most often homogeneous members expressed in one part of speech, but sometimes they can refer to different ones.

He went(as?) quiet,(as?) carefully.

In this sentence, the first circumstance is expressed by an adverb, the second by a noun.

As you can see in the examples given, the homogeneous members of the sentence separated from each other by a comma or union.

Features of homogeneous definitions

In some cases, it is not entirely clear whether the members of the sentence are homogeneous or not. The greatest difficulty is caused by definitions expressed by adjectives. There are several signs, by which you can determine whether the definitions are homogeneous, whether a comma is needed between them or not. Let's try to figure them out:

1 Homogeneous definitions describe an object from one side: in shape, taste, size, texture, etc.

I know you're hiding a sweet, juicy orange.

In this sentence, the adjectives characterize the noun "orange" in terms of its taste, and therefore are homogeneous.

Inhomogeneous definitions have different characteristics, describe the subject on different grounds and are pronounced without enumerative intonation.

Let's go back to the example above:

There was a large golden grandmother's samovar in the room.

Here, adjectives describe the samovar from its different sides: size, color and belonging, which means that a comma is not put.

2 Homogeneous definitions always expressed in one part of speech. If one definition is expressed by an adjective, and the other by a pronoun or numeral, then they cannot be homogeneous.

I have never met such a sweet, kind, sympathetic girl.

Here the definitions of "sweet", "kind", "responsive" are expressed by adjectives.

This will be your second adult act.

All definitions in this example refer to different parts of speech, so the comma is not needed here.

3 There are three categories of adjectives: qualitative, possessive and relative. Homogeneous adjectives always belong to the same class.

On the eve of the holiday, all the children were in an upbeat, joyful mood.

In this sentence, the adjectives "upbeat" and "joyful" are qualitative.

Suddenly, a fluffy fox tail flashed between the trees.

In this sentence, the adjective "fluffy" is qualitative, and "fox" is possessive, therefore, the definitions are heterogeneous.

4 Homogeneous definitions connected writing connection, pronounced with enumeration intonation. At the same time, in a sentence between them there is always you can put an alliance, the meaning will not change.

Red, black, blue-green and dark brown dresses hung in her closet.

Red and black and blue-green and dark brown dresses hung in her closet.

§ 143. A comma is placed between homogeneous members of a sentence that are not connected through unions, for example:

Laughter was heard from all sides, songs, fun (L. Tolstoy). Everything in the room looked comfortable., clean, light (Saltykov-Shchedrin). At his feet are two large bundles of different keys, put on wire rings, a mangled tin samovar., hammer, files (M. Gorky).

Note 1. Two or more adjectives that agree with the same noun and are not connected to each other through unions are homogeneous only if each of them directly refers to this noun, for example:

By mossy, huts darkened on marshy shores here and there(Pushkin). With a cheerful sense of hope for a new, better life he drove up to his house at nine o'clock in the morning(L. Tolstoy). Where is the hot excitement, where is the noble aspiration of both feelings and thoughts of the young, tall , gentle , daring? (Pushkin). Began to drip rare, light rain (Chekhov).

But adjectives are not homogeneous if the preceding adjective refers to the entire subsequent phrase, and not directly to the noun, for example:

There was a long freight train (Chekhov). Behind the road - sheared linden alley(L. Tolstoy). There was an old hanging wall clock in the office(L. Tolstoy).

Note 2. They are not homogeneous members of the sentence and, therefore, two verbs of the same form are not separated by commas, following one after the other and forming a single semantic whole, for example: I'll go find out. Go see. Take it. Let's sit down and talk. We sat and talked.

§ 144. A comma is placed between homogeneous members of a sentence connected by unions a, but, yes (in the meaning of "but"), however, although, etc., for example:

Not a genus, but I will put my mind in governors(Pushkin). She spoke little, but sensibly (Turgenev). Looks like he's good, yes green (Krylov). Irresistible though and a quiet force carried me away(Turgenev).

§ 145. A comma is placed between paired homogeneous members of a sentence connected by unions as - so and, not so much (not as much) - how much (how much), as much (as much) - how much (how much), not only - but also, if not - then, at least (although) - but (a) etc. (comma before like, not so much if etc. should not be set in these cases), for example:

And I'm not only henceforth I will not touch the local herds, but glad to squabble for them with others(Krylov). He looks simple, but has a wonderful property(Krylov). Both shortcomings and the merits of "Poltava" were equally misunderstood by the then critics and the then public(Belinsky). must visit if not all, then at least in most areas.

§ 146. A comma is placed between homogeneous members of a sentence, connected by means of repeating unions and...and, yes...yes, then...that, whether-whether, or-or etc., for example:

That's really knocking, and screaming, and don't hear the bells(Turgenev). A light breeze either woke up or subsided (Turgenev). Here the savage nobility, without feeling, without law, appropriated to itself by a violent vine and labor, and property, and farmer's time(Pushkin). No slaughter, no camp, no the grave mound is not met by King Dadon(Pushkin). How long am I to walk in the world either in a carriage, or on horseback, or in a wagon, or in a carriage, or in a cart, or on foot? (Pushkin). Ovsyanikov was driving around or on treadmills, or in a small beautiful cart with a leather top(Turgenev). I used to run away from the very early morning or to a pond, or to a grove, or to a hayfield, or to the reapers (Dostoevsky).

Note. If repeated unions and, neither are connected by two homogeneous members with opposite meanings, forming one integral expression, then there is no comma between them, for example: neither this nor that, and this way and that, neither one nor the other, neither yes nor no, and day and night, and old and young, and laughter and sorrow, neither alive nor dead, neither back nor forth, neither fish nor meat, neither give nor take.

A comma is also not placed between two homogeneous members of a sentence, connected by a repeating union and forming a close semantic unity (usually such homogeneous members do not have explanatory words with them), for example:

There were both summer and autumn rainy (Zhukovsky).

§ 147. A comma is placed between all homogeneous members of a sentence even if only a part of them has repeating conjunctions in front of them, for example:

Tatyana believed in the legends of the common folk antiquity, and dreams , and card divination, and predictions of the moon(Pushkin). He fell in love with dense groves, solitude, silence, and the night, and the stars, and the moon (Pushkin). You listen to the roar of thunder, and to the voice of the storm and the waves, and the cry of the rural shepherds(Pushkin). Will I foam in the sea, or blue mist on the mountains, or steppe evening shadow - I will always remember you(M. Gorky). No, let him serve in the army, yes, pull the strap, yes, sniff gunpowder, yes there will be a soldier, not a shamaton(Pushkin).

§ 148. A comma is placed between paired groups into which homogeneous members of a sentence can fall apart (it is not placed inside such pairs), for example:

The Russian people are smart and understanding, zealous and ardent for everything good and beautiful(Belinsky). When we were students, we squeezed science everywhere, by the way and inopportunely, with intent and without intent, skillful and unskillful(Pisarev).

Homogeneous are called such sentence members, which are interconnected by a coordinating link, are subordinate to the same member of the sentence (or the same member of the sentence is subordinate to them) and perform the same function in the sentence.

The problem of homogeneity / heterogeneity of sentence members is one of the most difficult. From homogeneous definitions, which are separated by commas in the letter, it is necessary to distinguish heterogeneous definitions, between which there is no comma.

One of the main criteria for distinguishing homogeneity / heterogeneity of definitions is the meaning of the definitions. Homogeneous definitions characterize one object or different on the same basis, and heterogeneous - with different parties.

Homogeneity of meanings of definitions can be enhanced morphological indicators. Should be considered way of expressing definitions(row homogeneous members presented, as a rule, either only qualitative or only relative adjectives), position in relation to the noun being defined, as well as the general nature of the context.

Definitions are homogeneous if:

1 . indicate the distinguishing features of different objects;

Her clothes combined white, and red, and lemon, and yellow tones (the tones were white, the tones were red, etc.).

2. denote various features of one object, characterize the object on the one hand (when describing appearance, environment, when assessing);

The ruined, burnt city was empty.

3. in context conditions, synonymous relations are created between definitions (contextual synonyms are formed);

Luck rarely looks at a strong, prosperous person (in this context, the forms strong and prosperous, which are not synonyms in the language, act as synonyms, that is, as words that are close in meaning).

4. with each definition, the sign expressed by it is strengthened (gradation is formed);

The mountain was fraught with some unknown, disturbing, terrible danger.

5. the first definition is expressed by an adjective, and the second - by a participial turnover - a participle with a dependent word;

We were greeted by an elderly man with a lush beard beginning to turn gray.

Note that the participle should not be single, but with a dependent word (participial turnover), and the participial turnover should be in second place (a single definition precedes the common one). In this case, a comma is placed between the adjective and the participial phrase, and not after participle turnover.

6. stand after the word being defined (usually in the position of isolation);

Along the winter road, a boring trio of greyhounds runs.

7. definitions act as epithets - artistic definitions.

She really looked like a young, white, slender birch.

As homogeneousact definitions, opposed to a combination of other definitions with the same defined word: Recently, there were low, wooden houses in this area, and now they are high, stone ones.

Let us pay attention to the definitions that are interconnected by explanatory relations: the second definition specifies the first one (usually, unions can be inserted between them, namely, that is). In this case, a comma is placed between the definitions:

Give me another, interesting book.

I need another, better freedom...

Definitions are heterogeneous if:

1. characterize the subject from different angles (express signs that relate to different generic (general) concepts);

Large _ white clouds floated across the sky (large - "size", white - "color").

2. they are a combination of quality and relative adjectives;

Fur coat made of thick _ fox fur.

3. one of them is directly related to the word being defined, forming a phrase with it, and the other refers to the entire phrase;

We've looked at punctuation. with agreed definitions. inconsistent definitions, are usually the same: A gentleman in spectacles, with astonished eyes, in a blue velvet beret and a long coat drove up to the porch.

Usually homogeneous are combinations of agreed and non-agreed definitions: A young man of about twenty-five entered, well dressed, with laughing cheeks, lips and eyes.

The main task of all communicative qualities of speech is to ensure the effectiveness of speech.

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Homogeneous definitions expressed by adjectives and participles and standing before the word being defined are separated from each other comma, heterogeneous - do not separate (for an exception, see § 41).

1. Homogeneous definitions denotingsigns of different things : A talented student who spoke five languages ​​and feltFrench, Spanish, German literature at home, he boldly used his knowledge(Kav.).

Homogeneous definitions that express similar features of one object, i.e. characterize the object one side : This wasboring, tedious day(Kav.); The train was moving slowly and unevenly, supportingold, creaky railway carriage(rasp.); Heavy, damp the wall of the pine forest does not move, is silent(Lip.); Lena arranged for herspacious, empty room(Kav.); Winter at first swayed reluctantly, as last year, then burst in unexpectedly, withsharp, cold by the wind(Kav.). The similarity of signs can manifest itself on the basis of some convergence of values, for example, along the line of evaluation: And at this momentdiscreet, gentle, polite Zoshchenko suddenly said to me with irritation: “You can’t get into literature by pushing your elbows(Kav.); based on the unity of sensations conveyed by definitions (touch, taste, etc.): ATclear, warm morning, at the end of May, in Obruchanovo, two horses were brought to the local blacksmith Rodion Petrov to be reforged(Ch.); Bliss wascool, fresh, tasty water gently rolling off your shoulders(Kav.).

Similarity of features may occur in adjectives used in figurative meaning: I shook the hand extended to mebig, stale hand(Shol.); Cruel, cold spring poured buds kills(Ahm.); In the heartdark, stuffy hop(Ahm.). The homogeneity of definitions is emphasized by the addition of one of them with a coordinating conjunction and : In them[songs] dominatedheavy, dull and hopeless notes(M. G.); Suchmiserable, gray and deceitful siskin(M. G.); Tired, tanned and dusty faces were exactly the color of the brown rags of the moon's wing(M. G.).

2. Definitions-adjectives that characterize an object or phenomenon with various sides: Large glass the doors were wide open(Kav.) - size and material designation; Former eliseevskaya the dining room was decorated with frescoes(Kav.) - designation of a temporary sign and a sign of belonging; Thick draft the notebook in which I wrote down plans and rough sketches was placed at the bottom of the suitcase(Kav.) - designation of size and purpose; Found in my archiveyellow school cursive notebook(Kav.) - designation of color and purpose; The forests, obliquely illuminated by the sun, seemed to him heapslight copper ores(Paust.) - designation of weight and material; Our famous and most courageous traveler Karelin gave me a veryunflattering writing attestation(Paust.) - designation of assessment and form; The foreman served teaviscous cherry jam(Paust.) - designation of property and material; Enoughtall antique faience the lamp burned softly under a pink shade(Bun.) - a designation of a quantity, a temporal sign and a material.

Hello! The setting of a comma is determined not by part-of-speech affiliation, but syntactic role- the fact that adjectives and participles can act as homogeneous / heterogeneous definitions.
Here is the rule: Homogeneous and heterogeneous definitions One and the same word in a sentence can have several definitions, which can be homogeneous and heterogeneous. Learning to distinguish between these two types of definitions is necessary, since homogeneous definitions in writing are separated by commas, and a comma is not placed between heterogeneous definitions.
1. Homogeneous definitions are pronounced with enumerative intonation and characterize the object on the one hand: by color, shape, size, and so on.
In the morning the sun beats into the gazebo through the purple, purple, green and lemon foliage (Paustovsky).
In this sentence, there are four definitions for the word FOLIAGE, they are homogeneous, since everyone names a color and is pronounced with an enumeration intonation.
Heterogeneous definitions characterize an object from different angles and are pronounced without enumerative intonation, for example:
It was an unbearably hot July day (Turgenev).
The definition HOT tells us about the weather, and the definition JULY tells us what month this day was in.
Please note that homogeneous definitions can be connected by coordinating unions, and if there are no unions, then they can be easily inserted. Compare the three sentences below.
He spoke German, French, English language.
He spoke German, French and English.
He spoke German, French and English.
2. Homogeneous definitions cannot be expressed by adjectives belonging to different lexical categories.
If definitions are expressed as adjectives, then you can determine whether they need to be separated by commas in the following way. It is known that adjectives are divided into three categories: qualitative, relative and possessive. If one word has definitions expressed by adjectives of different categories, then these definitions will be heterogeneous.
On the porch stands his old woman in an expensive sable jacket (Pushkin).
The word DUSHEGREYKA has two definitions: EXPENSIVE (qualitative adjective) and SOBOLEY (relative adjective).
3. Definitions are considered heterogeneous if one definition is expressed by a pronoun or numeral, and the other by an adjective.
Why don't you put on your new dress?
Finally we waited for the first warm days.
4. Sometimes in works of art there may be sentences in which there are commas between the definitions characterizing the subject from different sides.
Read the sentences from the works of I. A. Bunin and A. P. Chekhov. In them, the authors strive to create a single, holistic view of an object or phenomenon, and such definitions can be considered homogeneous.
Rainy, dirty, dark autumn has come (Chekhov).
Clear days gave way to cold, bluish-gray, soundless (Bunin).