In English grammar, adjectives play a crucial role in describing nouns. However, not all adjectives work in the same way. Some can vary in intensity or degree, and these are known as gradable adjectives. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore gradable adjectives in English, how they function, and how you can use them to enhance your English communication.
What Are Gradable Adjectives?
Gradable adjectives describe qualities that can exist in varying degrees or intensities. In other words, the quality expressed by the adjective can be measured or modified. For example, an adjective like hot can be made stronger or weaker: it can be a little hot, very hot, or extremely hot.
In contrast to gradable adjectives, some adjectives express absolute qualities and do not allow for degrees of intensity. These are called non-gradable adjectives (e.g., perfect, freezing, dead). However, in this article, our focus will remain on gradable adjectives.
Common Gradable Adjectives
Gradable adjectives are common in everyday English, and they can be easily modified with intensifiers like very, quite, slightly, and extremely. Here are some examples of gradable adjectives:
| Gradable Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Hot | It is very hot today. |
| Cold | The water is slightly cold. |
| Big | That house is extremely big. |
| Happy | She feels quite happy. |
| Tired | I am really tired after the long trip. |
These adjectives express qualities that can be adjusted based on how much of the quality exists in the noun.
How to Modify Gradable Adjectives
To make the meaning of a gradable adjective stronger or weaker, we use intensifiers (e.g., very, so, really) or downtoners (e.g., fairly, slightly). Understanding how to use these modifiers is key to mastering gradable adjectives.
1. Using Intensifiers with Gradable Adjectives
Intensifiers are used to strengthen the meaning of the adjective. These words include very, really, extremely, and so.
- Very: She is very tired after the workout.
- Extremely: The movie was extremely interesting.
- Really: This is a really good book.
2. Using Downtoners with Gradable Adjectives
Downtoners are used to weaken or soften the meaning of the adjective. Words like slightly, fairly, and somewhat fall into this category.
- Slightly: The soup is slightly cold, but still edible.
- Fairly: He is fairly tall compared to his brother.
- Somewhat: The exam was somewhat difficult.
Gradable Adjectives vs. Non-Gradable Adjectives
It’s important to differentiate between gradable and non-gradable adjectives to use them correctly. While gradable adjectives can be modified to show different levels of intensity, non-gradable adjectives describe absolute qualities that do not change in intensity.
Here is a comparison:
| Gradable Adjectives | Non-Gradable Adjectives |
|---|---|
| Hot, cold, big, small | Freezing, dead, perfect |
| Very cold, quite hot | Absolutely perfect, totally freezing |
- Gradable: The room is very hot.
- Non-Gradable: The room is absolutely freezing (you cannot say very freezing).
Understanding this difference is essential because using the wrong modifier with a non-gradable adjective will make the sentence sound unnatural.
Understand how gradable adjectives allow varying degrees of meaning in sentences.
How to Form Questions with Gradable Adjectives
When asking questions with gradable adjectives, we often include intensifiers to add detail. For example:
- How + adjective: How cold is the water?
- How + adverb + adjective: How extremely tall is the building?
Examples of Gradable Adjectives in Context
To further clarify, here are a few example sentences using gradable adjectives in different contexts:
Everyday conversation:
- The coffee is quite strong, don’t you think?
Describing size:
- That car is very big, but I’ve seen bigger ones.
Emotions:
- She’s feeling extremely happy after receiving the news.
Expressing temperature:
- It’s slightly cold outside, but I’ll still go for a walk.
Common Mistakes with Gradable Adjectives
Although gradable adjectives are simple to use, learners can sometimes make mistakes when combining them with the wrong intensifiers or downtoners. Let’s look at a couple of common errors:
1. Using Absolute Modifiers with Gradable Adjectives
One common mistake is using absolute modifiers (e.g., completely, absolutely) with gradable adjectives. These modifiers are typically reserved for non-gradable adjectives.
Incorrect: The movie was completely good.
Correct: The movie was very good.
2. Over-Intensifying
Overusing intensifiers can make your sentences sound unnatural or exaggerated.
Overused: The cake was very, very delicious.
Better: The cake was extremely delicious.
Gradable Adjectives in Comparisons
Gradable adjectives are often used when making comparisons between two or more things. Comparatives like bigger, smaller, colder, and hotter are formed by adding -er to the adjective or using more for longer adjectives.
- This building is bigger than the one next door.
- She is more tired than her classmates after the hike.
In superlative form, -est or most is used to show the highest degree of the quality.
- He is the tallest person in the class.
- This is the most exciting book I’ve ever read.
Conclusion
Gradable adjectives in English are a fundamental part of describing varying degrees of qualities. By understanding how to modify these adjectives with intensifiers and downtoners, you can express yourself more clearly and accurately. Whether you’re talking about the weather, describing a person’s feelings, or comparing two objects, mastering gradable adjectives will enhance your communication skills.
Be mindful of the common mistakes when using gradable adjectives, and remember to differentiate them from non-gradable adjectives to avoid unnatural phrases. With practice, you’ll be using gradable adjectives effectively in no time.
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