Gradable and Non-gradable Adjectives

Exercises

Explanation

1. Gradable adjectives

Gradable adjectives describe qualities that can exist on a scale. Their meaning can become stronger or weaker depending on context.

These adjectives:

• can be compared (using comparative and superlative forms),

• can be modified by degree adverbs such as very, quite, rather, or extremely.

Examples:

• The weather is cool today, but it was cooler earlier this week.

• He seemed very confident during the interview.

• That explanation is reasonably clear for beginners.

Typical gradable adjectives:

large, narrow, fast, slow, young, experienced, interesting, challenging, noisy, calm

2. Non-gradable adjectives

Non-gradable adjectives describe qualities that are already complete, absolute, or at the highest level. They usually do not allow variation in intensity.

These adjectives:

• do not normally have comparative or superlative forms,

• are not used with degree adverbs like very or a bit.

Non-gradable adjectives can be grouped into three main categories.

a) Extreme adjectives

Extreme adjectives already express a very strong meaning.

Examples: exhausted, terrified, freezing, enormous, outstanding

Correct: The team was absolutely exhausted after the night shift.
Incorrect: The team was very exhausted.

b) Absolute adjectives

Absolute adjectives refer to states that do not have an in-between degree.

Examples: perfect, dead, impossible, unique, empty

Correct: The device is completely faulty.
Incorrect: The device is fairly faulty.

c) Classifying adjectives

These adjectives describe type, category, or purpose rather than intensity.

Examples: scientific, digital, wooden, medical, domestic

Correct: a medical certificate
Incorrect: a very medical certificate

3. Choosing the right adverbs

Different types of adjectives require different adverbs.

Gradable adjectives + gradable adverbs

very, quite, fairly, rather, slightly, extremely

• slightly inconvenient

• extremely efficient

Non-gradable adjectives + non-gradable adverbs

absolutely, completely, totally, almost, nearly

• almost impossible

• completely silent

Incorrect: very silent
Incorrect: a bit impossible

4. Important exceptions and flexibility (B2 level)

English usage is flexible, and some forms depend on context rather than strict rules.

a) Adverbs used with both types

Adverbs such as really, pretty, and quite can modify both gradable and non-gradable adjectives, but the meaning changes.

• The instructions are quite clear.
  (fairly clear – gradable)

• Her performance was quite remarkable.
  (completely remarkable – non-gradable)

b) Adjectives that change type depending on meaning

Some adjectives may be gradable in one context and non-gradable in another.

Examples:

• The apartment is fairly modern. (gradable – degree of modernity)

• Modern art attracts strong opinions. (classifying – non-gradable)