Gradable adjectives describe qualities that can have different levels or intensities, while non-gradable (or extreme) adjectives describe qualities that are absolute and cannot be made stronger or weaker. Por ejemplo, big is a gradable adjective because something can be a little big, quite big, o very big. However, enormous is a non-gradable adjective; it already means ‘very, very big’, so you cannot say very enormous. Instead, we use different intensifiers like absolutely o completely with non-gradable adjectives. Understanding this difference helps you express yourself more precisely and naturally in English, especially when describing things and feelings.
What Are Gradable Adjectives?
Gradable adjectives describe qualities that can vary in intensity. You can be a little tired, quite tired, o very tired.
- These adjectives have different ‘degrees’.
- They allow you to compare things. For example, This car is bigger than that one.
- Common examples include big, small, hot, cold, happy, sad, tired, hungry.
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How Do We Intensify Gradable Adjectives?
To make gradable adjectives stronger or weaker, we use specific intensifiers.
- Uso very, quite, really, extremely, so, pretty (informal) before gradable adjectives.
- These words tell us how much of a quality something has.
What Are Non-Gradable (Extreme) Adjectives?
Non-gradable adjectives, also called ‘extreme’ adjectives, describe qualities that are absolute. They already express a very strong meaning.
- You cannot have ‘more’ or ‘less’ of these qualities. For example, something is either dead or it isn’t; it cannot be very dead.
- They do not have degrees of intensity.
- Common examples include enormous (very big), tiny (very small), boiling (very hot), freezing (very cold), furious (very angry), exhausted (very tired), starving (very hungry).
How Do We Intensify Non-Gradable Adjectives?
Since non-gradable adjectives already have a strong meaning, we use different intensifiers to emphasize them.
- Uso absolutely, completely, totally, utterly, really before non-gradable adjectives.
- These words mean ‘100%’ or ‘in every way’.
- Notice that really can be used with both types of adjectives, but its meaning changes slightly. With gradable adjectives, it means ‘very’. With non-gradable adjectives, it means ‘absolutely’.
| Adjective Type | Example Adjective | Common Intensifiers |
|---|---|---|
| Gradable | big | very, quite, extremely, really |
| Gradable | tired | very, quite, extremely, really |
| Non-Gradable (Extreme) | enormous | absolutely, completely, totally, really |
| Non-Gradable (Extreme) | exhausted | absolutely, completely, totally, really |
Ejemplos
- The elephant is very big.
- The mouse is very small.
- I’m feeling quite happy today.
- The weather is extremely cold.
- The elephant is absolutely enormous.
- The mouse is absolutely tiny.
- I’m feeling completely exhausted after the long walk.
- The water is really boiling.
Práctica
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Errores habituales de los hispanohablantes
A common mistake for Spanish speakers is to use very with non-gradable adjectives, similar to how ‘muy’ is used in Spanish. For example, saying very enormous o very boiling.
Recuerda:
- Incorrecto: The house is very enormous.
- Correcto: The house is absolutely enormous.
- Incorrecto: I’m very exhausted.
- Correcto: I’m completely exhausted.
Always pair gradable adjectives with intensifiers like very, and non-gradable adjectives with intensifiers like absolutely (o really for both, but with different emphasis).
Preguntas más frecuentes
Can I use ‘really’ with both gradable and non-gradable adjectives?
Sí, really is a flexible intensifier. With gradable adjectives, it means very (p. ej., really good). With non-gradable adjectives, it means absolutely (p. ej., really amazing).
Why can’t I say ‘very enormous’?
You cannot say very enormous because enormous already means ‘very big’. It’s an extreme adjective, so adding very is redundant and incorrect. Instead, use absolutely enormous.
How are gradable and non-gradable adjectives tested in the B1 Preliminary exam?
In the B1 Preliminary exam, you might encounter these adjectives in the Reading and Use of English paper, particularly in Part 2 (open cloze) or Part 4 (key word transformations). You may need to choose the correct intensifier (e.g., very vs. absolutely) or transform sentences using appropriate adjectives and intensifiers.
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