Can you please clarify to me the rule regarding adjective order?
I have long, black, curly hair OR
I have long, curly, black hair ???
You can refuse to be tested orally only once. (or You can decide to excuse for not being tested orally only once)
I don't know how to express it.
Both work just fine.
I have long, black, curly hair.
I have long, curly, black hair.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm See #5.
and
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/adjectives.htm
Scroll down to The Order of Adjectives...
This is fine:
You can refuse to be tested orally only once.
When it comes to adjective order, there is a general rule to follow. Adjectives are usually arranged in a specific order depending on their category and meaning. The order usually goes like this:
1. Opinion or subjective adjectives: These adjectives reflect personal opinion or judgement, like beautiful, ugly, nice, etc.
2. Size: Adjectives that describe the size of something, like big, small, large, etc.
3. Shape: Adjectives that describe the shape of something, like round, square, triangular, etc.
4. Age: Adjectives that indicate the age of something, like old, young, ancient, etc.
5. Color: Adjectives that describe the color of something, like red, blue, green, etc.
6. Origin: Adjectives that indicate the origin or nationality of something, like American, French, Chinese, etc.
7. Material: Adjectives that describe the material or composition of something, like wooden, metal, plastic, etc.
8. Purpose or qualifier: Adjectives that clarify or specify the purpose of something, like cooking, sleeping, racing, etc.
Based on this order, the correct order for your example would be:
"I have long, curly, black hair."
Regarding your second sentence, "You can refuse to be tested orally only once," it means that you have the choice to decline being tested through speaking once (oral testing). In comparison, "You can decide to excuse for not being tested orally only once" seems unclear and ambiguous in its meaning.