Gradable

 &  non-­‐gradable  
Tips  &  exercises  
 Adjectives  &  intensifiers  

exhausted      ·∙      unique      ·∙      tired  

 
•  Gradable-­‐  can  be  graded  or  given  different  degrees  on  a  sliding  scale.  
 For  example:      
 
•  Non-­‐gradable  -­‐  can  be  divided  into  two  types:  
–  Strong  or  Extreme  adjectives  -­‐  stronger  equivalents  of  gradable  adjectives.  
 For  example:      
–  Absolute  adjectives-­‐  they  are  either  true  or  not  true,  there  is  no  middle  ground.  
For  example:      
 The  most  common  intensifiers  
     ·∙      extremely      ·∙      pretty      ·∙      
 quite      ·∙      very      ·∙      totally      ·∙      really  
absolutely  
   
Which  of  these  words  can  be  used  with  the  following.      
 
1.  gradable  only  
2.  non-­‐gradable  only  
3.  gradable  and  non-­‐gradable  with  the  same  meaning  
4.  gradable  and  non-­‐gradable  with  a  different  meaning  
 
 Really  
 
•  The  word  really  is  a  very  useful  word  in  informal  English  for  two  
reasons:  
•  As  you  can  use  it  with  both  gradable  and  non-­‐gradable  adjectives,  
you  don't  have  to  worry  about  the  grammar  side  of  things.  
•  It  has  more  emotional  content  than  very.  Look  at  these  sentences:  
–  Thanks  for  the  party,  I  had  a  very  good  time.  
–  Thanks  for  the  party,  I  had  a  really  good  time.  
•  The  first  is  polite  enough,  but  the  second  sounds  as  though  you  
really  mean  it.  As  if  it  came  from  the  heart.    
 How  can  we  tell  if  an  adjective  is  
gradable  or  not?  
  and  superlative  versions  
1.  Can  we  make  comparative  
of  the  adjective?  
–  It's  hotter  today  than  it  was  yesterday.  (gradable)  
–  It's  more  boiling  today  than  it  was  yesterday.  (strong)  
–  This  house  is  more  unique  than  that  one.  (absolute)  
•  Usually  we  only  make  comparisons  with  gradable  
adjectives.  So  try  using  a  comparative  and  if  it  sounds  
OK,  then  the  adjective  is  probably  gradable.    
 How  can  we  tell  if  an  adjective  is  
gradable  or  not?  
2.  Can  we  use  the  determiner  
  very  before  the  
adjective?    
–  I'm  very  tired.  (gradable)  
–  She's  very  exhausted.  (strong)  
–  It's  very  unique.  (absolute)  

 If  so,  it's  probably  gradable.  

Decide  which  category  these  adjectives  fit  into.  Try  using  them  with  very  and  absolutely  and  see  
which  sounds  best.  

 
 Why  do  we  use  intensifiers  with  non-­‐gradable  adjectives ?  
• 
 
Grading  adverbs  such  as  quite,  very  and  extremely  are  used  to  put  an  adjective  
somewhere  on  a  scale.  
–  quite  tired  
–  very  popular  
–  extremely  cold  

•  But  absolute  and  strong  adjectives  cannot  be  given  a  degree  like  this.  When  we  
use  intensifiers  like  absolutely,  completely  and  totally,  we  are  using  them  for  
emphasis  rather  than  degree.  
–  completely  exhausted  
–  absolutely  right  
–  totally  unique  

 
 Cross  out  the  wrong  option.  
 
It's  a(n)  absolutely  /  really  /  very  nice  day,  isn't  it?        
I  thought  the  film  was  absolutely  /  quite  /  extremely  amazing.        
It's  absolutely  /  very  /  really  marvellous  news.        
The  forecast  is  looking  pretty  /  quite  /  totally  promising.        
We  were  really  /  totally  /  very  unlucky  at  the  races.        
I'm  getting  absolutely  /  quite  /  really  bored  with  this  book.        
She  was  extremely  /  pretty  /  totally  amazed  to  see  him  there.        
We  got  really  /  totally  /  very  soaked  in  the  rain.        
He's  absolutely  /  extremely  /  pretty  clever  for  his  age.        
Her  first  day  at  work  was  extremely  /  pretty  /  quite  disastrous.        
We  had  a  really  /  totally  /  very  pleasant  day  by  the  seaside.        
They  were  really  /  totally  /  very  astonished  at  the  news.