A gradable adverb 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.)
In contrast to adjectives, adverbs occur more as non-gradable than gradable.
Learn more: gradable vs. non-gradable adjective
Examples of gradable adverb
These adverbs are gradable because they fulfill the two conditions.
Quickly
Condition 1: quickly –> more quickly –> most quickly
Condition 2: very quickly
Fast
Condition 1: fast –> faster –> fastest
Condition 2: very fast
Early
Condition 1: early –> earlier –> earliest
Condition 2: very early
Soon
Condition 1: soon –> sooner –> soonest
Condition 2: very soon
Carefully
Condition 1: carefully –> more carefully –> most carefully
Condition 2: very carefully
More examples of gradable adverb:
bravely, bright, clearly, closely, deep, easily, gently, happily, hard, high, late, long, loudly, near, neatly, regularly, short, slowly, strong, wide
Examples of non-gradable adverb
These adverbs are non-gradable because they don’t fulfill the two conditions.
Completely
Condition 1: completely –> more completely –> most completely [Incorrect]
Condition 2: very completely [Incorrect]
Immediately
Condition 1: immediately –> more immediately –> most immediately [Incorrect]
Condition 2: very immediately [Incorrect]
Always
Condition 1: always –> more always –> most always [Incorrect]
Condition 2: very always [Incorrect]
More examples of gradable adverb:
absolutely, almost, already, apart, anywhere, away, barely, daily, down, entirely, finally, forever, forward, here, instantly, never, nowhere, quite, rarely, seldom, there, today, tomorrow, up, utterly, yesterday
