GRADABLE and NON-GRADABLE ADJECTIVES | HOW TO ENGLISH

Summary

In this informative video, the presenter delves into the nuances of gradable and non-gradable adjectives in the English language. Gradable adjectives, such as 'cold' and 'hungry', are described as measurable qualities that can be expressed in varying degrees, often enhanced with modifiers like 'very' or 'extremely'. The video lists common gradable adjectives and their typical modifiers, providing a clear understanding of how these words can be used to convey different intensities. Non-gradable adjectives are then explored, with a focus on absolute and extreme adjectives. Absolute adjectives, exemplified by 'dead' and 'finished', are presented as binary states with no in-between, often intensified by words like 'absolutely' or 'totally'. Extreme adjectives, already inherently strong such as 'exhausted' or 'delicious', can be further emphasized with 'absolutely' or 'really'. The video concludes with an encouragement to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more English lessons, offering viewers valuable insights into the richness of the English language.

Takeaways

• 📏 **Gradable Adjectives**: These can be measured and have varying degrees, such as 'cold' or 'hungry', and can be modified with words like 'a bit', 'very', or 'extremely'.
• 📉 **Modifiers for Gradable Adjectives**: Common modifiers include 'a little', 'a bit', 'slightly', 'pretty', 'quite', 'really', 'very', and 'extremely', which indicate the intensity of the adjective.
• 🔍 **Absolute Adjectives**: These denote a state that is either present or absent, such as 'dead' or 'finished', and do not have varying degrees.
• 🔑 **Modifiers for Absolute Adjectives**: To emphasize absolute adjectives, 'absolutely', 'completely', and 'totally' can be used to strengthen their meaning.
• 🔥 **Extreme Adjectives**: These are inherently strong, like 'exhausted' or 'delicious', and are used to convey a high degree of a quality.
• 📌 **Strengthening Extreme Adjectives**: To further intensify extreme adjectives, modifiers 'absolutely' and 'really' can be used, resulting in phrases like 'absolutely terrible' or 'really tiny'.
• 🌐 **Examples of Gradable Adjectives**: Words like 'big', 'boring', 'cheap', 'funny', 'good', 'happy', 'important', 'rich', 'strong', and 'tired' are all gradable.
• 🚫 **Examples of Absolute Adjectives**: Terms such as 'acceptable', 'destroyed', 'free', 'impossible', 'necessary', 'perfect', 'ruined', and 'unacceptable' are absolute.
• ❄️ **Examples of Extreme Adjectives**: 'Ancient', 'awful', 'boiling', 'excellent', 'freezing', 'terrible', and 'tiny' are examples of adjectives that are already at an extreme level.
• ✅ **Understanding Adjective Types**: Recognizing gradable and non-gradable adjectives helps in accurately describing the degree or state of something in English.
• 🎓 **Learning Application**: Applying these adjectives and their modifiers correctly can enhance language proficiency and precision in communication.

Q & A

What are gradable adjectives?

Gradable adjectives are adjectives that can be measured and thus can have varying degrees. An object can possess more or less of a particular quality, such as being 'a bit cold', 'pretty cold', 'very cold', or 'extremely cold'.

Can you provide an example of a gradable adjective and how it can be modified?

An example of a gradable adjective is 'hungry'. It can be modified with words like 'a bit', 'quite', or 'very' to indicate different levels of hunger.

What are some common modifiers used with gradable adjectives?

Common modifiers used with gradable adjectives include 'a little', 'a bit', 'slightly', 'pretty', 'quite', 'really', 'very', and 'extremely'.

Define non-gradable adjectives and provide an example.

Non-gradable adjectives are adjectives that do not have varying degrees and are often absolute or extreme. An example is 'dead', which is absolute; you cannot be 'a bit dead' or 'very dead'.

How are absolute adjectives different from gradable adjectives?

Absolute adjectives represent a state that is either true or false, with no in-between. They are not measurable like gradable adjectives and do not take modifiers that indicate degree.

What are some examples of absolute adjectives?

Examples of absolute adjectives include 'finished', 'acceptable', 'destroyed', 'free', 'impossible', 'necessary', 'perfect', 'ruined', and 'unacceptable'.

How can absolute adjectives be made stronger?

Absolute adjectives can be made stronger by using the modifiers 'absolutely', 'completely', and 'totally', such as in 'absolutely necessary' or 'totally acceptable'.

What is an extreme adjective and how is it different from an absolute adjective?

An extreme adjective is a type of non-gradable adjective that already implies a high degree of the quality it describes, such as 'exhausted' or 'delicious'. Unlike absolute adjectives, extreme adjectives can be intensified with modifiers like 'absolutely' and 'really'.

Give an example of how to intensify an extreme adjective?

An extreme adjective can be intensified by using modifiers such as 'absolutely' or 'really'. For instance, 'absolutely terrible' or 'really tiny'.

What are some other examples of extreme adjectives mentioned in the script?

Other examples of extreme adjectives include 'ancient', 'awful', 'boiling', 'excellent', 'freezing', and 'terrible'.

How can one enhance their understanding of gradable and non-gradable adjectives?

One can enhance their understanding of gradable and non-gradable adjectives by practicing their use in sentences, reading literature that uses a variety of adjectives, and engaging in discussions that require the differentiation between the two types.

What is the purpose of the video mentioned in the script?

The purpose of the video is to educate viewers on the difference between gradable and non-gradable adjectives, providing examples and explaining how they can be modified or intensified.