how to link adjectives

Hela wrote:

1) When we have a couple adjectives describing the same thing (e.g. material) don't we list  them in alphabetical order?  No - a Concrete and Glass building  That was your word order.  You could also say "a glass and concrete building" or " a building built mainly of glass and concrete", etc. - a peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich To me, peanut butter always and only begins with a 'P'. But it's true that you've written "a gorgeous Silk and Satin dress". 2) Would the use of a comma change the meaning of a noun phrase? a) a polite young man = a man who is polite and young.    a tall white horse = a horse which is tall and white. b) a polite, young man = a young man who is polite.    a tall, white horse = a white horse which is tall. Or do they all have, in the end, the same meaning?  The comma does not change the meaning in these examples.  It's simply unnecessary. 3) Would you please tell me if the following sentences are correct (= make sense)? 1. The weather was foul and depressing. OK 2. He is a happy and confident child.  OK -- and you could also say "He is a happy, confident child."  (i.e., The comma would be appropriate.) 3. Her expression was cold and enigmatic.  OK 4. She has long rounded legs. (possible?)  OK (with a comma is also possible but not absolutely necessary IMHO.)  'Rounded' is OK. 5. She bought a bronze and crystal centre light.  OK 6. The Mercedes is a powerful and secure car.  OK -- but "safe" is a better word than "secure" 7. They were laying a green and black carpet in the hotel lobby.  OK 8. They ordered a set of metal and plasticchairs. The chairs are hard for me to picture or imagine, so the adjectives aren't doing their job very well. I'd prefer a different method of description.  For example, "... metal chairs with plastic trim." 9. The police got hold of cargo of foul and rotting meat.  To me, "foul " would describe "rotting meat" so I'd prefer this wording: "...a cargo of  foul rotting  meat." 10. He played the wrong note. Did you intend to include an additional adjective? 11. He has thick arched black eyebrows.  I don't like this combination very much.  I'd eliminate 'arched' and reword somehow.  If I weren't allowed to remove 'arched' from the string of adjectives, I'd  probably write: "He has arched, thick black eyebrows." 12. He is going to fall asleep in the next ten minutes.  OK 13. The old wooden roof of the church didn’t resist (?) the storm.   "The old wooden roof of the church didn’t withstand / survive the storm." 14. During the first three days after the surgery I felt really bad.  OR --> "For the first three days after the surgery, I felt really bad." 15. The model walked down the podium with an elegant classy fur coat.  "The model walked down the runway/catwalk/ramp with an elegant fur coat".  (To me, using both classy and elegant is redundant.) (what's the verb used to talk about models "parading" in a fashion show?) It depends on the "attitude" the model assumes -- there are a variety of possible types of walking.  I guess 'sashay' would often be a good word.  Here are some possibilites: The model sashayed/paraded/strutted/strolled/catwalked/swung/moseyed down the runway.   I look forward to the answer that will be given to Downstorm. Many thanks and Merry Christmas to you all.  Happy holidays to you too, Hela. Hela

Dear teachers,

Here are some more question if you don't mind.

Would you please tell me if the following sentences are correct and which alternative do you prefer?

1. She was given / bought a gorgeous silk satin dress.
(here I would like to use a passive form = given as a present)

2. The model walked down the runway with a classy fawn / tawny fur coat.

3. She has long fleshy / rounded legs. (correct ? same meaning?)

How would you define the following?

4. a roasting tin (would you please tell me what it is?)

5. He is a DARK-HAIRED boy. = He is a boy with dark hair.

6. Geoffrey is bandy–legged / bow–legged = Geoffrey has bandy / bow (?) legs.

7. My older brother is not very sister-friendly. (correct ?)
(does it mean that he is not nice to his sister ?)

8. She is a BIG-HEADED artist. = she is an artist with a big head (?)
(would the explanation work in the primary and figurative sense?)

9. It’s a solid oak desk. (what is solid the oak or the desk ?)

Many thanks happy New Year to you all.
Hela

Thank you Grammar Geek,

Best wishes

Thank you Barbara.

All the best for 2007!