Most writers seem to think that commas are always used to separate all elements in a list. If you're listing words that happen to be nouns, or noun (or prepositional) phrases, then you'd be correct to use the comma separator between them.
I planted radishes, beets, cabbages and leeks.
(This lists four nouns, and note that I didn't use an Oxford comma).
Happiness might be found over the rainbow, behind the kitchen door or under the carpet.
(This is a list of three prepositional phrases).
Don't forget to buy green apples, red plums and a blue and white tablecloth.
(And this is a list of three noun phrases).
If, however, you are using two or more adjectives to modify a noun or pronoun, you might--or might not-- require a comma to separate them. The rule has it that a comma is necessary where the word and would be appropriate, and when the modifiers are each modifying the same word to the same degree.
I know that sounds a bit tricky, so let me explain through examples.
My hero is tall, dark and slightly disfigured.
(He is tall and dark and slightly disfigured. None of these modifiers is any more important than the others.)
But my heroine is perfectly proportioned, good-natured and rich.
(Again, all three adjectives modify the word heroine in equal measure).
But sometimes two or more adjectives do not require a comma to separate them. Each case is slightly different, so you have to pay attention.
The endangered burrowing owl is making a comeback in some areas.
(No comma is needed between the word endangered and the word burrowing because these adjectives modify the word owl together. You wouldn't write, The endangered and burrowing owl...).
The quaint old village of Windermere bristles with tourists in the summer.
(Again, you wouldn't write, The quaint and old village...).
I can make the same case for using two or more adverbs to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
And I'll do this in my next post.
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