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?




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").




> 大きくて重い本 : Big **and** heavy book

Both adjectives qualify 本 and only 本, whereas:

> 大きい重い本 : Big (heavy book)

大きい qualifies 重い本 with 重い qualifying 本

