Comparable and Non-comparable Adjectives
Descriptive adjectives are categorized into two main groups including: classifying adjectives and qualifying adjectives. We will learn more in this lesson.
What Are Comparable and Non-comparable Adjectives?
Based on whether adjectives can be compared using comparative and superlative forms, they can be categorized as comparable and non-comparable adjectives. Comparable adjectives (also called qualifying adjectives) are adjectives that can be compared using comparative and superlative forms. Non-comparable adjectives (also called classifying adjectives), on the other hand, are adjectives that cannot be compared using comparative and superlative forms.
What Are Comparable Adjectives?
Comparable adjectives are those that can be modified by '-er/more' or '-est/most'. In other words, they can have comparative and superlative forms. Pay attention to the examples:
He is
This solution is
Comparable adjectives can also be modified by intensifiers and mitigators. For example:
She is
I'm
But we cannot say:
She is very
She is more
Common Comparable Adjectives
'tall' is a comparable adjectives
Here are some of the most common comparable adjectives:
- heavy
- soft
- fast
- good
- expensive
- large
- big
- calm
- beautiful
- smart
What Are Non-comparable Adjectives?
Non-comparable Adjectives (also called absolute adjectives) are adjectives that cannot be compared using comparative and superlative forms. These adjectives describe qualities that are considered to be fixed or inherent.
We cannot use '-er/more' or '-est/most' with non-comparable adjectives. Also, we cannot use intensifiers or mitigators with them.
Common Non-comparable Adjectives
Here are some of the most common non-comparable adjectives:
- absolute
- married
- single
- pregnant
- extra
- ultra
- false
- dead
- universal
- impossible
Warning
Although it is grammatically incorrect to use intensifiers such as very, quite, and most with uncomparable adjectives, you might encounter it in informal contexts.
This is a
People sometimes use 'very' with 'unique', but this use is often considered to be incorrect.
Which Modifiers Are Allowed?
The following modifiers can be used with absolute adjectives in informal contexts:
- absolutely
- totally
- completely
Take a look at some examples:
The story is
This is
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Participle Adjectives
Participle adjectives are the same form as participles with the same characteristics with adjectives.
Postpositive Adjectives
Post-positive adjectives or postnominal adjectives are mainly placed immediately after the noun. In this lesson, we will learn all about them.
