Page 258 - Nidalist

Gradable and NON-GRADABLE ADJECTIVES

non-gradable adjectives Non-gradable adjectives cannot
usually be modified. These
adjectives tend to fall into three
categories: extreme, absolute, Non-gradable adjectives like “fantastic”
and classifying. cannot be modified by adverbs.
Gradable adjectives can be made weaker or stronger See also:
by adverbs, whereas non-gradable adjectives describe Adjectives 92
absolute qualities that cannot usually be graded. Adverbs of degree 100

GRADABLE ADJECTIVES EXTREME ADJECTIVES
The idea of “extremely” is is
Gradable adjectives can be the meaning of “awful” already.
modified by adverbs to make Extreme adjectives are stronger
Adverbs change
the adjective’s original meaning the strength of the Things can be more versions of gradable adjectives,
or less “good,” so it is
more or less powerful. adjective. a gradable adjective. such as “awful,” “hilarious,”
“fantastic,” or “terrifying.”

ABSOLUTE ADJECTIVES It is not possible for something
to be more or less unique.
Absolute adjectives cannot be
graded because they describe fixed
qualities or states, such as “unique,”
“perfect,” or “impossible.”

CLASSIFYING ADJECTIVES
Classifying adjectives are used to
say that something is of a specific
type or class, such as “American,”
“nuclear,” or “medical.”
FURTHER EXAMPLES

FURTHER EXAMPLES

256 257

256-257_Unit_93_Gradable_Non-Gradable_Adjectives.indd 256 25/07/2016 12:56 256-257_Unit_93_Gradable_Non-Gradable_Adjectives.indd 257 25/07/2016 12:56