Adjective Usage and Comma Rules

The video tutorial discusses the use of commas between adjectives, focusing on two main approaches: the Cambridge and Oxford methods. The Cambridge approach uses commas with interchangeable adjectives, while the Oxford approach distinguishes between gradable and classifying adjectives. The tutorial highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each method, emphasizing the importance of understanding adjective order and the role of style guides. The instructor shares a preference for the Oxford approach, citing its simplicity and logical structure.

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

• The importance of punctuation

• The role of verbs in sentences

• The history of English grammar

• The use of adjectives and commas

Which style guides agree on using commas with interchangeable adjectives?

• Oxford, APA, and Chicago

• Chicago, MLA, and APA

• Oxford, Cambridge, and MLA

• Cambridge, Chicago, and APA

What does the 'and rule' imply about adjectives?

• They are interchangeable

• They are always gradable

• They are always classifying

• They are non-interchangeable

What is the order of adjectives according to the Cambridge dictionary?

• Opinion, determiners, size, shape, age

• Age, shape, size, opinion, determiners

• Size, age, shape, opinion, determiners

• Determiners, opinion, size, age, shape

Why might 'big old house' sound better than 'old big house'?

• Because 'big' is a classifying adjective

• Because 'big' comes before 'old' in the order of adjectives

• Because 'old' is a more important adjective

• Because 'house' is a noun

What does the Oxford style guide focus on when deciding comma usage?

• Gradable and classifying adjectives

• Interchangeable adjectives

• The order of adjectives

• The length of the sentence

Which adjectives can be modified by intensifiers like 'very' or 'slightly'?

• Gradable adjectives

• Classifying adjectives

• Non-interchangeable adjectives

• Interchangeable adjectives

According to Oxford, when should commas be used between adjectives?

• When one is gradable and one is classifying

• When both are gradable adjectives

• When both are classifying adjectives

• When neither is gradable

What is a key advantage of the Oxford approach over the Cambridge approach?

• It is simpler to understand

• It uses fewer commas

• It is more widely accepted

• It provides a clearer rule for comma usage

What is the speaker's opinion on the Cambridge approach?

• It is the best approach

• It has weaknesses due to the order of adjectives

• It is too complex

• It is not widely used