What is the Difference Between Gradable and Non-gradable Adjectives?

The main difference between gradable and non-gradable adjectives lies in their ability to be modified by adverbs of degree. Gradable adjectives can be given varying degrees or levels of a quality, while non-gradable adjectives cannot be modified by adverbs of degree and represent a point on a scale.

Gradable Adjectives:

• Can be modified by adverbs of degree, such as very, slightly, extremely, a bit, pretty, and quite.
• Can form comparative and superlative forms.
• Examples include cold, big, cheap, busy, good, strong, and tall.

Non-gradable Adjectives:

• Cannot be modified by adverbs of degree.
• Represent a point on a scale.
• Can be classified into two categories: absolute adjectives and extreme adjectives.
• Absolute adjectives, such as dead, finished, absolutely, completely, and totally.
• Extreme adjectives, such as amazing, awful, and boiling, already contain the idea of 'very' in their definitions and can be made stronger using absolutely or really.

In summary, gradable adjectives can have varying degrees of a quality and can be modified by adverbs of degree, while non-gradable adjectives represent a fixed point on a scale and cannot be modified by adverbs of degree.

Comparative Table: Gradable vs Non-gradable Adjectives

Here is a table comparing gradable and non-gradable adjectives:

Gradable adjectives can be modified by adverbs of degree, such as "a bit," "slightly," "very," and "extremely". They can have different levels of intensity, like being a bit cold, very cold, or extremely cold. On the other hand, non-gradable adjectives cannot be modified by adverbs of degree. They describe qualities that have a fixed, absolute, or extreme meaning. For example, something can't be a bit finished or very finished. To make non-gradable adjectives stronger, use adverbs like "absolutely" or "really".