Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Ungradable Adjectives
Contents [show]
Adjectives are words that describe the qualities of other words. They also add some interesting
meaning to what you say or write. To explain in simple words, gradable adjectives are those
which add degree to whatever you say. For example, cold, hot, cheap, expensive, and so on. The
meaning of these adjectives can be simplified by adding an adverb in front of them.
Whereas the non-gradable adjectives describe the qualities that are entirely present or
completely absent. For example, married, wooden, the word should be complete on its own.
The differences in how we use these two kinds of adjectives can cause problems even for
advanced students. This unit looks at these different types of adjectives and how we can modify
their meaning.
We can make comparative and superlative forms from all gradable adjectives.
Example:
A: This skirt is a lot less expensive than the others.
B: Yes, it’s much cheaper. Let’s buy some.
We can make gradable adjectives stronger with very, but not with the adverb absolutely:
There are several other modifiers which we use to strengthen the meaning of
these adjectives: so, rather, really, extremely, terribly, most (formal), pretty (informal):
We are often useless common adverbs to modify certain gradable adjectives. Although very is
commonly used to strengthen any adjective, your English will sound more fluent and natural if
you learn to use other combinations of adverb and adjective:
Gradable adjectives can usually be made weaker by the words fairly, slightly, a (little), bit
(informal) and somewhat (formal):
We can use not very and not at all to weaken gradable adjectives after the verb be.
The end of term test wasn’t very long and it wasn’t at all difficult
Quite:
With gradable adjectives, quite usually means somewhat- but can have other meanings. The
different definitions are only apparent in spoken English as they are dependent on stress and
intonation:
represents a scale’s limit. For example, the limits of the scale of ‘how much something costs’ are
free (= it costs nothing) and priceless (= its cost is too great to be counted).
Ungradable adjectives are not usually used in comparatives and superlatives, and we do not
use very to make them stronger:
X The Ming vases are more priceless than the Egyptian mummies.
✓ The Ming vases are more valuable than the Egyptian mummies.
X Entronce to the museum is very free
✓ Entrance to the museum is absolutely free
A common way to intensify the meaning of ungradable adjectives is with the adverb absolutely.
We use this device to add emphasis in spoken and informal English; it is not common in writing:
We can also use a most before ungradable adjectives used before a noun:
Because ungradable adjectives represent the limit of a scale, they are not usually used in
comparatives and superlatives. However, in spoken English, many ‘ungradable’ adjectives can
be used gradably when we are comparing similar things at one end of a scale and can then be
used in comparisons:
I’ve never been more exhausted than I was after the New York marathon.
That was the most delicious meal you’ve ever cooked!
With comparatives of this type we often use still more or even more.
There are several modifiers which we use with both gradable and ungradable adjectives to make
their meaning stronger. The most common in informal English is really:
The hotel was nice and clean. I’ll come when I’m good and ready
I’m afraid there are no rooms – the hotel is full (ungradable = full)
The hotel’s very full but I think I can get you a single room for tonight, (gradable = has many
guests but there is still some space)
Other adjectives like this are: empty, beautiful, black, delicious, new, possible.
Also check:
IELTS Grammar
IELTS Grammar books
English Pronunciation in use Intermediate pdf
Exercises
Exercise 1: Classify the adjectives into Gradable Adjectives & Ungradable Adjectives. Each
will contain ten adjectives.
1.
1. These days mobile phones are inexpensive____.
2. Be careful changing gear; the gearstick’s stiff____.
3. The inscription on the tomb was indecipherable____.
4. Many of the Inca religious ceremonies were bloodthirsty____.
Exercise 3: Match the labels (A-D) with the sentences (1-6). Some labels may be used more
than once.
Exercise 4: Six of these sentences contain mistakes. Tick (✓) the correct sentences, then find
the mistakes and correct them.
1. We thought the staterooms in the White House were really impressive! ____
2. I’m afraid there’s nothing to eat; the fridge is very empty. ____
3. The tour bus is completely full so I’ve only got six seats left to offer you. ____
4. I love these awayday’ tickets; they’re nice and cheap. _____
5. We chose the hotel because it was very recommended by our neighbours. ____
6. If you were really serious about your studies, you would have given up that evening job.
_____
7. Everyone in our class loves Jackie – she’s dead friendly. ____
8. Jack was a very built man with massive shoulders and a menacing stare.____
9. I found the funeral ceremony absolutely moving. ____
10.The Ambassador would be really delighted to accept this honour on behalf of the
President. ____