Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Common Core State Standards, Grade 7, Language · Read it at the source · Checked October 14, 2026
What L.7.2 Means in Plain English
Seventh graders put a comma between two adjectives that each describe the noun on their own, as in a long, exhausting hike, and leave it out when the adjectives stack, as in a red wool scarf. They also spell grade-level words correctly, especially in their own drafts.
Sixth graders (L.6.2) set off extra information with commas, parentheses or dashes. Seventh grade’s comma job is smaller but subtler: deciding whether two adjectives are equals. Eighth grade (L.8.2) moves on to the comma, ellipsis and dash for a pause or break, and the ellipsis for omitted words.
L.7.2 I Can Statements
I can tell coordinate adjectives from adjectives that stack.
I can put a comma between coordinate adjectives.
I can spell grade-level words correctly in my own writing.
L.7.2 Worked Example
One sentence with two adjective pairs that look alike, only one of which takes a comma, and two misspellings to catch.
Prompt
Fix the commas and the spelling in this sentence.
Not YetAfter a long exhausting hike, we finaly reached the old, stone bridge, which was definately worth it.Long and exhausting each describe the hike on their own, so they need a comma. Old and stone don’t: stone bridge works as a unit, and old describes it. Finaly and definately are misspelled.
Meets the StandardAfter a long, exhausting hike, we finally reached the old stone bridge, which was definitely worth it.The comma goes between the equal adjectives and comes out of the stacked pair. Finally is final plus ly, so it keeps both l’s, and definitely is built on definite, with finite inside it.
Moves to Use
Try and between the adjectives: a long and exhausting hike works, so use a comma.Try swapping them: an exhausting, long hike still works, but a stone old bridge doesn’t.If either test fails, the adjectives stack, so leave the comma out.Build hard words from parts you know: final plus ly, definite plus ly.
Common Mistakes with L.7.2
A comma after every adjective
“a cold, wet, winter, morning”
Try this: Teach the two tests together, insert and and swap the order, and allow a comma only where both tests pass.
No comma anywhere
“She was a quiet patient listener.”
Try this: Have students read the pair aloud with and between the adjectives, and add a comma wherever the and sounds natural.
Spelling that only counts on Friday
A perfect score on the list test, then recieve and seperate in the next essay
Try this: Keep a personal list of words each student misspells in drafts, and fold three of them into every week’s practice.
Spelling Worksheet GeneratorFree ToolTurn the week’s grade 7 list into practice sheets, and add the words students misspelled in their own drafts, like definitely and separate.Grade 7 listWords from draftsWeekly
Sentence Scramble GeneratorFree ToolScramble sentences with two adjectives before a noun, and once each is rebuilt, have students decide whether the pair takes a comma.Adjective pairsComma or no comma