UNIT 5.3
Understanding linkers
VOCABULARY & SPEAKING
Extreme Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe the qualities of something. Some adjectives in English are gradable – that means you can have different degrees or levels of that quality. For example, the weather can be a little cold, rather cold, very cold, or extremely cold.
Extreme adjectives or non-gradable adjectives are words that mean “extremely + adjective” – for example, “freezing” means “extremely cold.” The weather can’t be “a little bit freezing” or “very freezing” – because the word “freezing” itself automatically means “extremely cold.”
Extreme adjectives or non-gradable adjectives are words that mean “extremely + adjective” – for example, “freezing” means “extremely cold.” The weather can’t be “a little bit freezing” or “very freezing” – because the word “freezing” itself automatically means “extremely cold.”
Special Rules For Extreme Adjectives
1) NO COMPARATIVES/SUPERLATIVES.
With extreme adjectives, we don’t use comparatives and superlatives:
- My parents’ house is enormous.
- My parents’ house is more enormous / the most enormous.
2) USE DIFFERENT ADVERBS WITH EXTREME ADJECTIVES.
With regular adjectives, we can use these adverbs:
With regular adjectives, we can use these adverbs:
- a little, a bit, slightly, fairly, rather
- very, extremely, immensely, intensely, hugely
- I’m rather hungry. / I’m very hungry.
- This room is a bit dirty. / This room is extremely dirty.
- We’re a little tired. / We’re immensely tired.
- I’m rather starving. / I’m extremely starving.
- absolutely
- completely
- utterly
Look at some examples of extreme adjectives: