Hi there,

Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday. In today’s newsletter, I want to discuss gradable and non-gradable adjectives.

Remember our recent discussion about reducing reliance on "very"? Well, the world of adjectives holds another secret to improve your vocabulary and precision. Today, we'll explore gradable and non-gradable adjectives, taking your descriptions to the next level.

Mastering Gradable and Non-gradable Adjectives

Gradable Adjectives: Degrees of Description

Imagine adjectives like "cold." You can experience coldness in varying intensities – a chilly breeze, a cool autumn day, or a bone-chilling winter night. These are gradable adjectives because we can modify them with adverbs to show different levels of that quality.

Here's how we can use adverbs to fine-tune "cold":

• Decreasing intensity: a little, slightly, somewhat, not very

• Increasing intensity: very (sometimes!), quite, really, extremely, exceptionally

Non-Gradable Adjectives: Reaching the Extremes

Now, let's consider "freezing." This adjective represents the extreme of coldness. It's already at the highest intensity, so adding "very freezing" sounds awkward. These are extreme non-gradable adjectives. They express such intensity that adverbs like "very" become unnecessary (and often grammatically incorrect).

So, how do we emphasize extreme non-gradable adjectives?

We can use adverbs like "absolutely" or "really" for impact:

• "It's absolutely freezing tonight!" (stronger than just "freezing")

• "The last quarterly results were really terrible." (emphasizes the negative extreme)

Absolute Non-Gradable Adjectives: Black and White

Some adjectives describe absolute states, like "finished." A project is either finished or not finished. There's no room for gradations like "very finished." These are absolute non-gradable adjectives.

Similar to extreme non-gradable adjectives, we can use adverbs for emphasis:

We can use adverbs like "absolutely", "really" or “completely” for impact:

• "The report is absolutely/completely finished." (highlights the finality)

• "We are really/completely out of stock." (emphasizes the lack of availability)

In summary:

Gradable adjectives allow for degrees of intensity using adverbs.

Extreme non-gradable adjectives express an extreme and don't need "very". Emphasize them with "absolutely" or "really".

Absolute non-gradable adjectives describe fixed states and don't use adverbs like "very". Emphasize them with "absolutely", "completely", or "really".

Really

You will notice that ‘really’ can be used with both gradable and non-gradable adjectives (extreme and absolute). However, there can be a change in meaning:

“Have you completely finished?” Are you sure that you have done everything?

“Have you really finished?” Is it true that you have finished?

By mastering these distinctions, you'll sound more precise and avoid awkward constructions. Next time you are writing or speaking try replacing "very" with more impactful adjectives or adverbs.

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Do you have any Business English questions?

Please email me and I will do my best to answer them in future newsletters.

Until Friday - have a great day!

Iain.

www.communicateenglish.com

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