The Core Distinction: Gradable vs. Ungradable Adjectives
Before choosing a qualifier, you must determine whether the adjective can be measured on a sliding scale.
Gradable Adjectives
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What they are: Adjectives that exist on a spectrum where degrees of intensity are possible. You can be slightly cold, very cold, or extremely cold.
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Examples: cold, tired, big, angry, expensive, good, bad.
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Permitted Qualifiers: slightly, a bit, fairly, quite, very, extremely, exceptionally, highly.
Ungradable (Extreme) Adjectives
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What they are: Adjectives that already represent an absolute limit or extreme state. Something cannot be very freezing because freezing means it is already at the absolute limit of cold.
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Examples: freezing, exhausted, colossal, furious, exorbitant, flawless, dreadful.
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Permitted Qualifiers: absolutely, completely, utterly, totally, virtually, practically, truly.
