GV

Gradable and Ungradable Adjectives

Very tired vs absolutely exhausted: which modifiers to use

intermediate

When to Use Gradable and Ungradable Adjectives

  • •Gradable: can vary in degree. Use very, quite, fairly, extremely. (tired, hot, good)
  • •Ungradable (extreme): already at maximum. Use absolutely, completely, totally. (exhausted, boiling, perfect)
  • •Ungradable (absolute): either true or not. Use completely, totally. (dead, unique, impossible)
  • •Some adjectives can be both: old (gradable: very old) vs ancient (ungradable: absolutely ancient).
  • •Really and pretty work with both types.

How to Form Gradable and Ungradable Adjectives

Affirmative (+)

Gradable: very/quite/fairly + adjective. Ungradable: absolutely/completely + adjective

Negative (-)

Not very + gradable; not completely + ungradable

Question (?)

Same modifiers in questions

💡 Really works with both: really tired, really exhausted.

Examples of Gradable and Ungradable Adjectives

✓I'm absolutely exhausted.

✗I'm very exhausted.

Exhausted is ungradable; use absolutely.

✓The water is very hot.

✗The water is absolutely hot.

Hot is gradable; use very.

✓It's completely impossible.

✗It's very impossible.

Impossible is absolute; use completely.

Common Mistakes with Gradable and Ungradable Adjectives

💡 Practice Tips for Gradable and Ungradable Adjectives

  • • Gradable (can vary): tired, hot, cold, good, bad → very, quite, fairly.
  • • Extreme (maximum): exhausted, boiling, freezing, excellent, terrible → absolutely.
  • • Absolute (yes/no): dead, unique, perfect, impossible → completely, totally.
  • • Really works with everything: really tired, really exhausted.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.After running a marathon, I'm   exhausted.
  2. 2.The soup is   hot — be careful.
  3. Question 3: I haven't eaten all day — I'm blank starving. (extreme adjective modifier)
    3.I haven't eaten all day — I'm starving. (extreme adjective modifier)
  4. Question 4: That solution is blank impossible — it can't work. (absolute adjective modifier)
    4.That solution is impossible — it can't work. (absolute adjective modifier)
  5. Question 5: The water in the kettle is blank boiling. (extreme adjective modifier)
    5.The water in the kettle is boiling. (extreme adjective modifier)
  6. Question 6: Her work is blank good — but not perfect. (gradable adjective modifier)
    6.Her work is good — but not perfect. (gradable adjective modifier)
  7. Question 7: After the long flight, I was blank exhausted. (extreme adjective modifier)
    7.After the long flight, I was exhausted. (extreme adjective modifier)
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