Basic Rules:
* Commas: Use commas to separate adjectives that modify the same noun. Example: "The *large, red, shiny* ball was bouncing."
* And: Use "and" before the last adjective in a list. Example: "The ball was *large, red, and shiny*.
* No Commas: Don't use commas between adjectives that are essential to understanding the meaning of the noun. Example: "The *shiny red* ball" (If you remove "shiny," the meaning changes).
Additional Considerations:
* Order: Adjectives are usually placed in a specific order. This order isn't always strict but generally follows:
* Opinion: (beautiful, terrible)
* Size: (tiny, enormous)
* Shape: (round, square)
* Age: (old, new)
* Color: (blue, green)
* Origin: (Italian, American)
* Material: (wooden, metal)
* Purpose: (sleeping, running)
* Clarity: If you have a long list of adjectives, consider breaking it up into multiple sentences for better clarity.
* Style: Some writers prefer to use "and" between every adjective in a list, regardless of length. This is a matter of personal style.
Examples:
* Correct: The old, dusty, leather-bound book sat on the shelf.
* Correct: She wore a beautiful, flowing, white dress.
* Incorrect: The bright, shiny, red, and bouncy ball rolled across the floor. (The commas after "shiny" and "red" are unnecessary because they are all essential adjectives)
Remember: Punctuation is about clarity and consistency. Choose the style that best suits your writing and makes your meaning clear to your reader.