grammar - What's the difference in nuance between multiple 形容詞 (い -adjectives) with and without て-form?

When multiple adjectives refer to the same noun, the adjective(s) other than the last one are usually written in the て-form:

① 大きくて重い本

However writing all adjectives in their い-form is not (necessarily?) incorrect either AFAIK.

② 大きい重い本

Can anyone shed some light as to how they differ in meaning/nuance, and why and when anyone would opt for form ②?

Answer

大きい重い本 is usually unnatural and you should avoid it in most cases. But there are some exceptions:

• It may appear in lyrics and poems where rhythm is important.



• When a comma is inserted between the two adjectives, the first one can be in the dictionary form: 「大きい、重い本」 This may even sound more formal since the te-form can sound a little colloquial/informal depending on the situation.


• Although uncommon, when the same adjective is repeated for emphasis, you can say, for example, 「遠い遠い昔」 ("long long ago").


• When the first adjective is part of a relative clause, you can say, for example, 「文字が大きい重い本」 ("a heavy book using large characters").