The only difference I see is that "my old sad mangy cat" does not follow the customary pattern of putting permanent descriptions last, closest to the noun they modify, and putting temporary adjectives earlier, first. The cat will probably always be mangy, and it cannot avoid getting old, but I hope its sadness is only temporary. (Of course the posessive always comes first (my oh my!). If because of context "old" must precede "sad", that is the only place where I'd add a comma. For further explanation, if you would add "and" between two adjectives, a comma could replace the "and." The only item on this list that might warrant an "and" would be where being beautiful is not common for "gray" Persian cats. Carolyn Hartnett ________________________________ From: Scott Woods <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Fri, February 25, 2011 11:38:09 AM Subject: grammar question--adjective series and commas Dear List, The following phrases seem different to me: my beautiful gray Persian cat my large black leather coat my large gray Persian cat my beautiful black leather coat my old sad mangy cat my sweet old Irish grandmother my beautiful Irish linen tablecloth Some of these need commas between some of the adjectives, but others seem not to. Do you agree? How can this be explained? Thanks, Scott Woods To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/