Gradable vs Non-Gradable Adjectives with Examples
In English grammar, understanding the gradability of adjectives is essential for correct and expressive language use. This page explains what gradable and non-gradable adjectives are, how they differ, and offers practical examples to help learners master their usage. Improve your English communication by learning to choose the right adjective and modifier for every situation.
Gradability of Adjectives: Definition and Importance
The gradability of adjectives refers to an adjective's ability to express levels or degrees. Some adjectives can vary in intensity, while others describe qualities that are absolute or extreme. Knowing the difference between gradable and non-gradable adjectives helps you create clearer, more nuanced sentences and avoid common mistakes in English grammar.
What Are Gradable Adjectives?
Gradable adjectives are adjectives that describe qualities in varying degrees. You can use words like 'very', 'quite', 'somewhat', or 'a little' before these adjectives to show intensity. For example, "cold", "big", and "happy" are gradable adjectives because you can say "very cold", "quite big", or "a little happy".
Gradable adjectives appear frequently in conversation, writing, and even in descriptions about daily life, places, food, or people. They allow for more precise communication and are essential for expressing feelings and opinions.
Common Gradable Adjectives and Their Usage
| Adjective | Example Sentence | Adverb Used |
|---|---|---|
| cold | The water is slightly cold. | slightly |
| big | They live in a very big house. | very |
| happy | She is quite happy today. | quite |
| mean | I was a little mean yesterday. | a little |
| angry | He is a bit angry. | a bit |
The main rule when working with gradable adjectives is pairing them with suitable adverbs, such as 'very', 'extremely', or 'slightly', to show different degrees. For more adjective lists and examples, explore adjectives for English learners and enrich your vocabulary.
What Are Non-Gradable Adjectives?
Some adjectives cannot show different degrees because they represent absolute, complete, or 'extreme' qualities. These are called non-gradable adjectives. Words like "impossible", "married", and "perfect" don’t naturally pair with "very" or "slightly". Instead, you can use adverbs like "absolutely", "almost", or "completely" to modify them.
Non-gradable adjectives include both extreme adjectives and absolute adjectives. Understanding their characteristics is key for accuracy, especially in English grammar learning and creative writing. This distinction also appears in various grammar exercises for class activities.
Types of Non-Gradable Adjectives: Extreme and Absolute
Extreme adjectives already express a high degree. For example, "enormous" means "very big", and "fantastic" means "very good". These adjectives usually combine with adverbs like "absolutely", "really", or "completely".
Absolute adjectives describe qualities that are either present or not, such as "dead", "married", "unique", or "perfect". They often work with adverbs like "almost", "truly", or "completely" to show extent or certainty.
Non-Gradable Adjectives: Examples and Usage
| Type | Adjective | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme | enormous | The elephant is absolutely enormous. |
| Extreme | amazing | They had such an amazing holiday. |
| Absolute | dead | The plant is almost dead. |
| Absolute | perfect | This answer is truly perfect! |
| Absolute | married | We are really married. |
To practice these, you can try gradable and non gradable adjectives exercises available in English language textbooks. For more practice, visit English grammar exercises at Vedantu.
Difference Between Gradable and Non-Gradable Adjectives
Adjectives gradable and ungradable are different in how we express their intensity. Gradable adjectives accept a range of adverbs indicating level, like 'very' or 'quite'. Non-gradable adjectives only use adverbs expressing certainty or completeness, like 'absolutely', 'really', or 'almost'. This helps avoid unnatural phrases like "very impossible" or "slightly married".
Refer to the gradable and ungradable adjectives list in your grammar book or check the Vedantu adjectives list for more examples. Practising this will improve both accuracy and fluency in English.
How to Recognize the Gradability of Adjectives in Sentences
Adjectives for grading are recognized by their flexibility with adverbs of degree. If you can say "very", "slightly" or "rather" before an adjective, it is likely gradable. If only adverbs like "absolutely" or "completely" work, then it is non-gradable. The gradeability of adjectives is not about measurable percentage like "what does 25 gradeability mean", but about how their meanings can be increased or lessened.
This aspect, also known as adjectives adverbs gradability, is a common topic in English curriculum and language evaluations. Consider exploring Vedantu’s adjectives and adverbs resources for more examples and rules.
Practical Exercises: Gradable and Non-Gradable Adjectives
To test your understanding, try the following gradable and non gradable adjectives exercises:
Choose the correct adverb for the adjective: "This room is ___ clean" (very / absolutely).
Fill in the blank: "His performance was ___ incredible" (a little / really).
Rewrite: "She is married." Now show someone is nearly in that state.
For further exercises on adjectives gradability, refer to the adjectives exercises at Vedantu, and strengthen your grammar skills.
Tips to Improve Your Use of Gradable and Non-Gradable Adjectives
1. **Study common examples:** Make your own gradable and non gradable adjectives list with sentences.
2. **Practice choosing correct modifiers:** Avoid unnatural patterns like "very dead".
3. **Test yourself:** Create personal adjectives exercises. Discuss your answers with a friend or teacher.
4. **Explore related topics:** Learning about adverbs and word formation will help.
To summarize, the gradability of adjectives is a key concept for mastering English expression. Gradable adjectives allow you to show levels of quality using adverbs of degree, while non-gradable adjectives describe absolute or extreme properties. Practice regularly—with lists, examples, and Vedantu exercises—to build confidence and accuracy in every sentence.
FAQs on Adjectives Gradability in English: Complete Guide
1. What is gradability of adjectives?
Gradability of adjectives refers to how much an adjective expresses more or less of a quality. This means an adjective can show different degrees when intensified with adverbs.
Common features include:
- Gradable adjectives: can be used with words like very, a bit, extremely (e.g., very cold).
- Non-gradable adjectives: cannot take intensifiers (e.g., not very perfect).
- This concept helps students write more precisely in English exams.
2. What are gradable adjectives in English?
Gradable adjectives are adjectives that can vary in degree or intensity, letting you describe qualities as more or less.
Examples of gradable adjectives include:
- Cold (very cold, a little cold)
- Happy (quite happy, extremely happy)
- Expensive (fairly expensive, very expensive)
- Tired (a bit tired, really tired)
3. What are non-gradable adjectives?
Non-gradable adjectives describe extreme or absolute qualities that cannot be intensified or weakened.
Key points:
- They do not take adverb intensifiers like 'very' or 'slightly'
- Examples include: dead, perfect, unique, complete, impossible, empty
- Using intensifiers with these is incorrect (not "very perfect", but just "perfect")
4. What are some examples of gradable and non-gradable adjectives?
Examples of gradable adjectives are cold, happy, tired, easy, expensive. You can use them with intensifiers like very:
- very cold
- quite happy
- really tired
- dead (not very dead)
- unique (not very unique)
5. How do you use adverbs with gradable adjectives?
Adverbs like 'very', 'quite', 'rather', or 'extremely' can be used to show the degree of gradable adjectives.
For example:
- Very cold
- Quite happy
- Extremely tired
6. What is the difference between gradable and non-gradable adjectives?
The main difference is that gradable adjectives can be modified to show degree (like 'very tall'), while non-gradable adjectives describe qualities that cannot be changed by degree (like 'perfect' or 'dead').
- Gradable: cold, small, expensive (very cold, quite small)
- Non-gradable: dead, unique, impossible (not very dead)
7. Why can't some adjectives be graded?
Some adjectives are non-gradable because they refer to absolute, complete, or extreme states or qualities.
For example:
- Dead – there is no degree of 'dead'; something is either dead or alive.
- Perfect – perfection is absolute, so 'very perfect' is incorrect.
8. Can the same adjective be both gradable and non-gradable?
Some adjectives can be both gradable or non-gradable depending on context or meaning.
For example:
- Safe – "very safe" (gradable), but in some legal or technical contexts, it might be considered absolute.
- Context determines if an adjective’s quality can be modified or not.
9. What adverbs go with gradable adjectives?
Common adverbs used with gradable adjectives include:
- Very (very happy)
- Quite (quite easy)
- Rather (rather cold)
- A bit, fairly, extremely
10. What is adjective normalization?
Adjective normalization is the process of changing adjectives into their noun forms or using them correctly in sentences according to grammar rules.
For example:
- Happy (adjective) → Happiness (noun)
- Normalization helps in written English and is relevant for exam preparation.
