A gradable adjective fulfils two conditions:
- It shows comparative and superlative forms.
- It can be modified by an intensifying (or degree) adverb such as very and so.
(The two conditions usually go together, implying if one is satisfied, the other too is.)
Most adjectives are gradable. Adjectives derived from nouns (circular and golden) and adjectives that show place of origin (British and Australian) are usually non-gradable.
In contrast to adverbs, adjectives occur more as gradable than non-gradable.
Learn more: gradable vs. non-gradable adverb
Examples of gradable adjective
These adjectives are gradable because they fulfill the two conditions.
Big
Condition 1: big –> bigger –> biggest
Condition 2: very big
Hot
Condition 1: hot –> hotter –> hottest
Condition 2: very hot
Good
Condition 1: good –> better –> best
Condition 2: very good
Expensive
Condition 1: expensive –> more expensive –> most expensive
Condition 2: very expensive
Faithful
Condition 1: faithful –> more faithful –> most faithful
Condition 2: very faithful
More examples of gradable adjective:
beautiful, boring, brave, bright, busy, careful, cheerful, clear, clever, cloudy, creative, curious, dark, dry, elegant, exciting, fast, fresh, friendly, funny, generous, happy, heavy, healthy, loud, old, polite, poor, reliable, resourceful, serious, simple, smart, strong, tall, tidy
Examples of non-gradable adjective
These adjectives are non-gradable because they don’t fulfill the two conditions.
Dead
Condition 1: dead –> more dead –> most dead [Incorrect]
Condition 2: very dead [Incorrect]
Impossible
Condition 1: impossible –> more impossible –> most impossible [Incorrect]
Condition 2: very impossible [Incorrect]
Complete
Condition 1: complete –> more complete –> most complete [Incorrect]
Condition 2: very complete [Incorrect]
More examples of non-gradable adjective:
absolute, American, atomic, circular, complete, empty, final, global, golden, immortal, infinite, irreversible, married, national, perfect, solar, supreme, unique, unanimous, universal, wooden
