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Gradable Adjectives
Phonetics:
ɡreɪdəbl
Pronunciation:
Unlocking Expressiveness: The Magic of Gradable Adjectives
Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules
Introduction to Gradable Adjectives
Gradable adjectives are a type of descriptive words that allow for comparison or degrees of intensity. These adjectives can be modified by words like “very”, “quite”, or “extremely” to indicate a higher or lower level of the quality being described.
We can use gradable adjectives to express varying heights by adding different degrees such as “taller” or “the tallest.” This helps us compare and contrast different objects or people based on their height.
Gradable adjectives allow us to express varying degrees or levels of a quality or characteristic. For instance, instead of simply saying someone is “tall,” we can use gradable adjectives like “taller” or “the tallest” to describe their height more precisely. They enable us to compare and contrast objects, people, or ideas by indicating differences in intensity, magnitude, or scale. Gradable adjectives are particularly useful when expressing opinions, preferences, or making comparisons. Gradable adjectives are particularly useful when expressing opinions, preferences, or making comparisons. They help us add nuance and precision to our descriptions, making our communication more accurate and expressive.
Examples of Gradable Adjectives
Here’s a list of common gradable adjective examples that we use every day
- Small
- Cold
- Bright
- Dark
- Loud
- Quiet
- HeavLight
- Happy
- Exciting
- Boring
- Interesting
- Dull
Here are a few examples showcasing the different degrees of quality using the gradable adjective “beautiful”:
Comparative Degree: “The painting is more beautiful than the sculpture.”
- Comparative Degree: “This dress is less beautiful than the one she wore yesterday.”
- Superlative Degree: “The Taj Mahal is the most beautiful monument in the world.”
- Superlative Degree: “She is the most beautiful girl in our class.”
- Positive Degree: “The sunset is beautiful.”
- Positive Degree: “The garden is filled with beautiful flowers.”
- Positive Degree: “He has a beautiful voice.”
Formation of Comparative and Superlative Forms
Gradable adjectives are words that describe the quality of something and can be used to compare two or more things. When comparing, we use these adjectives to show the degree of difference between the objects. Therefore, using gradable adjectives, we can express the relative superiority or inferiority of different objects, making it easier to understand and compare their attributes.
- Here are the most important rules for forming comparative and superlative forms of gradable adjectives:
Add “-er” to the end of the adjective to form the comparative degree of a gradable adjective. - If the adjective ends in “e,” just add “-r” instead of “-er.”
If the adjective ends in a single vowel followed by a consonant, double the final consonant before adding “-er.” For example, “big” becomes “bigger.” - Add “-est” to the end of the adjective to form the superlative degree of a gradable adjective.
- If the adjective ends in “e,” just add “-st” instead of “-est.” If the adjective ends in a single vowel followed by a consonant, double the final consonant before adding “-est.”
- For longer adjectives (more than two syllables), use “more” before the adjective to form the comparative degree and “most” to form the superlative degree.
Here are some examples demonstrating the formation of comparative and superlative forms:
Comparative forms are used to compare two things, indicating a higher or lower degree of a quality. For example: “bigger,” “smaller,” “faster.”- Comparative forms are usually formed by adding “-er” to the end of the adjective or using the word “more” before the adjective.
- Superlative forms are used to compare more than two things, indicating the highest or lowest degree of a quality. For example: “biggest,” “smallest,” “fastest.”
- Superlative forms are usually formed by adding “-est” to the end of the adjective or using the word “most” before the adjective.
- Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms, such as “good” (comparative: “better,” superlative: “best”) and “bad” (comparative: “worse,” superlative: “worst”).
Types of gradable adjectives
Binary Gradable Adjectives
Binary gradable adjectives are words that express qualities or attributes in a way that allows for a simple, two-option comparison. These adjectives describe characteristics that can be seen as existing in varying degrees or levels. For example, the adjective “hot” can be described as either “hot” or “not hot.” Similarly, “tall” can be either “tall” or “not tall.” The binary nature of these adjectives makes them easy to understand and apply, as they present clear-cut choices for comparison.
Here are some examples showcasing binary gradable adjectives and their two opposing degrees:
- Tall-Short
- Hot-Cold
- Big-Small
- Fast-Slow
- Expensive-Cheap
Gradable Adjectives with Comparative Forms
Gradable adjectives can be modified to express a comparison between two or more things. They help us convey the idea of one thing being greater or lesser in degree compared to another. For example, when we want to compare the size of two objects, we use the comparative form of the adjective.
Here are some examples illustrating the use of comparative forms to compare two things or entities
Gradable adjectives are used to compare two or more things or entities.
Comparative forms are employed to express the degree of difference between objects.
Gradable adjective examples of comparative forms include words like “bigger,” “smaller,” “taller,” “faster,” or “more expensive.”
These adjectives help us understand and compare attributes such as size, height, speed, or cost.
Gradable Adjectives with Superlative Forms
Gradable adjectives are words that can describe different levels or degrees of quality. When an adjective is gradable, it means it can be used to compare things and express superlatives, which indicate the highest degree of quality. This allows us to say things like “He is taller than his brother” or “He is the tallest person in the room.” In this way, gradable adjectives with superlative forms help us compare and emphasize the highest level of quality among a group of things or people.
Here are some examples showcasing the use of superlative forms to compare three or more things or entities:
- She is the tallest girl in the class.
- This is the most delicious cake I’ve ever tasted.
- They are the fastest runners on the team.
Gradable Adjectives with Intensifiers
Gradable adjectives are words that describe the quality or degree of something and can be modified with intensifiers to amplify or strengthen the quality. These intensifiers like “very”, “extremely”, or “incredibly”, make the adjective more intense. These intensifiers help us express stronger opinions or judgements about things.
Here are some examples demonstrating the use of intensifiers with gradable adjectives:
- She is very tall.
That movie was extremely exciting. - The food at the restaurant was incredibly delicious.
He is exceptionally intelligent. - The weather is unbelievably hot.
Non-gradable Adjectives
Non-gradable adjectives are words that describe qualities without expressing degrees or levels. These adjectives convey an absolute state rather than a comparative or superlative form. Unlike gradable adjectives that can be intensified or weakened, non-gradable adjectives remain constant.
Here are examples highlighting non-gradable adjectives that describe qualities that are considered absolute or non-comparative:
- Unique
- Perfect
- Dead
- Square
- Round
- Essential
- Complete
- Absolute
- Immortal
- Impossible
Irregular Gradable Adjectives
Irregular gradable adjectives are a special group of adjectives that don’t follow the typical pattern for forming comparative and superlative forms. Unlike regular adjectives, which usually add “-er” for the comparative form (e.g., taller) and “-est” for the superlative form (e.g., tallest), irregular adjectives have their own unique forms.
Here are some examples of irregular gradable adjectives and their comparative and superlative forms:
- Good: Comparative form – better, Superlative form – best
- Bad: Comparative form – worse, Superlative form – worst
- Far: Comparative form – farther/further, Superlative form – farthest/furthest
- Little: Comparative form – less, Superlative form – least
- Many/Much: Comparative form – more, Superlative form – most
- Old: Comparative form – older, Superlative form – oldest
- Late: Comparative form – later, Superlative form – latest/last
- Few: Comparative form – fewer, Superlative form – fewest
Absolute Gradable Adjectives
These adjectives express qualities that are either present or absent, without any degrees or levels. When we use these adjectives, we are simply stating whether something possesses the quality or not, without considering any varying degrees or levels of the quality. Absolute gradable adjectives help us describe things in a straightforward manner, highlighting whether a quality is there or not, without getting into specific degrees or measurements.
Here are some examples showcasing absolute gradable adjectives and their usage:
- Complete: The puzzle is either complete or incomplete.
- Empty: The bottle is either empty or full.
Dead: The plant is either dead or alive.
- Pregnant: She is either pregnant or not pregnant.
- Available: The tickets are either available or sold out.
- Present: The document is either present or missing.
Degree Adverbs with Gradable Adjectives
Degree adverbs are handy words that help us describe the degree or extent of quality when it comes to gradable adjectives. Gradable adjectives are those that can be measured or compared, like “tall” or “fast.” Degree adverbs add more information about how much or how little of that quality exists. These adverbs modify the adjectives and provide a clearer picture of the intensity or extent of the quality being described.
Here are some gradable adjective examples demonstrating the use of degree adverbs:
- The building is very tall.
- She runs extremely fast.
- He is quite smart.
- The sunset was really beautiful.
- The weather is fairly cold.
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Key Takeaways
- Gradable adjectives allow us to describe qualities that can be measured or compared.
- Degree adverbs, such as “very,” “extremely,” and “quite,” enhance gradable adjectives by indicating the degree or extent of a quality.
- Using gradable adjectives with comparative forms allows for comparison between two things.
- Non-gradable adjectives describe qualities that are absolute and cannot be measured or compared.
- Irregular gradable adjectives have unique forms for comparative and superlative degrees.
- Intensifiers intensify the gradable adjectives, emphasizing the intensity or extent of a quality.
- Mastering gradable adjectives unlocks expressiveness in our language, enabling us to vividly describe and compare the qualities around us.
Quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, gradable adjectives can be used with comparative forms to compare two things. For example, “taller,” “faster,” and “smarter.”
No, there are no superlative forms of gradable adjectives. Superlative forms are used to compare more than two things, and gradable adjectives only allow for the comparison of two things.
Intensifiers like “very,” “extremely,” and “quite” can be used to modify gradable adjectives and emphasize the degree or extent of quality. For example, “very tall,” “extremely fast,” and “quite smart.”
Yes, there are non-gradable adjectives. These adjectives do not allow for degrees of comparison or intensifiers. They describe qualities that are considered absolute and cannot be measured or compared.
Some examples of non-gradable adjectives are “perfect,” “unique,” “dead,” “round,” and “complete.”
Irregular gradable adjectives are those that do not follow the standard pattern of adding “-er” or “-est” for comparative and superlative forms. Instead, they have irregular forms. For example, “good” (comparative: “better,” superlative: “best”) and “bad” (comparative: “worse,” superlative: “worst”).
Degree adverbs modify gradable adjectives by indicating the degree or intensity of a quality. They provide additional information and help express the extent of the adjective. For example, “very tall,” “extremely fast,” and “quite smart.”
