Rulebase

Commas Around Adjectives That Follow the Noun

The Comma

Rulebase Summary

When adjectives follow the noun they describe instead of preceding it, use a pair of commas to set them off if they appear in the middle of the sentence. If they appear at the end of the sentence, use a single comma to separate them from the noun.

Morson's Rule 47 · p.32 BGGP Separating Comma.27 · p.194 BGGP Setting-Off Comma.11 · p.224

Examples

A. The hallway long and dimly lit led to the back exit.

A. The hallway, long and dimly lit, led to the back exit.

Adjectives following the noun are set off with commas.

A. The document wrinkled and faded was difficult to read.

A. The document, wrinkled and faded, was difficult to read.

Pair of commas around adjectives placed after the noun.

Transcript Notes

Nonessential adjective appositives that follow the noun they describe are usually descriptive and typically appear in pairs or more. If the sentence continues, the adjectives are surrounded by commas.

Style Guide References (3)

Morson's

Rule 47 Page 32

BGGP

Separating Comma.27 Page 194

BGGP

Setting-Off Comma.11 Page 224
See also (5)