Gradable and Non-gradable

Adjectives

OBJECTIVES

By the end of this class you will

have activated your previous knowledge of the morphological,

syntactic and semantic features of adjectives.

have identified the main differences between gradable and nongradable adjectives.
have identified gradable and non-gradable adjectives with a
similar meaning.
be able to distinguish between the gradable and non-gradable
use of certain adjectives.
be able to use appropriate intensifiers with gradable and non
gradable adjectives.
be able to identify some common combinations of intensifiers
and adjectives using different resources such as a collocations
dictionary or an online concordance.
be able to identify gradable and non-gradable uses of certain
adjectives.
be able to produce your own sentences using gradable and nongradable adjectives.
have consolidated the metalanguage needed to describe the
main features of gradable and non-gradable adjectives.

LEAD IN
ACTIVATING PREVIOUS
KNOWLEDGE

 What is Feng Shui?

by Lanette Higham
What is Feng Shui? Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of space

arrangement that uses universal principles and the laws of nature

in order to create or restore the balance of fundamental energies
in theenvironment. Also known as the chi, the energy flow brings
goodhealth, great fortune and changes the lives of those who
respect it. Feng Shui means wind and water as the two elements
that symbolize harmony according to Chinese beliefs. However, the
question what is feng shui? remains very challenging to answer.
What is feng shui according to the modern perception? Many
people have taken up the practice of feng shui because it appears
exotic. Some get to redecorate their enormous houses
andcomfortable officesby following simple directions from
Internetguideswithout investigating the feng shui core of learning.
In other words, feng shui is perceived and understood in a very
shallow manner for the sole purpose of attracting abundance or
having a betterlife.
The truth is that if you finally come to find and fully understand the
answer to what is feng shui? then you are ready tochange your
lifein the real sense of the word.
(Adapted from :
http://www.thenewageblog.com/what-is-feng-shui/)

PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY


The ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui
has been adopted by some
designers as a way of creating
environments which feel
comfortable and harmonious.
Originally developed as a means of
planning the perfect agricultural
system in harmony with the forces
of nature, Feng Shui has been used
for centuries to improve the
physical surroundings in which
people live and to maintain
balance in their lives.
Those principles of Feng Shui that
are beneficial in the organization of
outdoor environments can also be
used in the design of areas inside
the house such as the bedroom,
which is considered to be the most
important room in the house.
Finding the best option for the bed is
very important. The main rule of
bed positioning is never to have
the foot of the bed directly facing
the door. Ideally, you should
position the bed diagonally
opposite the door, with the head
against the wall, not a window.

Small tables on both sides (not just

one side) at the head of the bed
help maintain balance, but it is
best to avoid cluttering the room
with a lot of furniture. Let air flow
easily through the space. Those
large heavy wooden wardrobes,
often with boxes or suitcases
stored on top, are a really bad
idea. As they tower over the bed,
they can make the sleeper feel
vulnerable and cause a disturbed
sleep.

The bedroom should be kept as a

relaxing space and should not be
used for work. There should be a
feeling of lightness, not
seriousness in the air. Blue
curtains and bedcovers are more
suitable than brown ones. Soft
natural materials are
recommended. With Fen Shui in
your bedroom, you can create a
unique peaceful sanctuary from
the stress of contemporary living.
(Adapted from Yule, G. 2006:110)


The ancient Chinese art of Feng
Shui has been adopted by some
designers as a way of creating
environments which feel
comfortable and harmonious.
Originally developed as a means of
planning the perfect agricultural
system in harmony with the forces
of nature, Feng Shui has been used
for centuries to improve the
physical surroundings in which
people live and to maintain
balance in their lives.
Those principles of Feng Shui that
are beneficial in the organization
of outdoor environments can also
be used in the design of areas
inside the house such as the
bedroom, which is considered to
be the most important room in
the house.
Finding the best option for the bed is
very important. The main rule of
bed positioning is never to have
the foot of the bed directly facing
the door. Ideally, you should
position the bed diagonally
opposite the door, with the head
against the wall, not a window.

Small tables on both sides (not

just one side) at the head of the
bed help maintain balance, but it
is best to avoid cluttering the
room with a lot of furniture. Let
air flow easily through the space.
Those large heavy wooden
wardrobes, often with boxes or
suitcases stored on top, are a
really bad idea. As they tower
over the bed, they can make the
sleeper feel vulnerable and
cause a disturbed sleep.

The bedroom should be kept as a

relaxing space and should not
be used for work. There should
be a feeling of lightness, not
seriousness in the air. Blue
curtains and bedcovers are more
suitable than brown ones. Soft
natural materials are
recommended. With Fen Shui in
your bedroom, you can create a
unique peaceful sanctuary
from the stress of
contemporary living.
(Adapted from Yule, G. 2006:110)


The ancient Chinese art of Feng
Shui has been adopted by some
designers as a way of creating
environments which feel
comfortable and harmonious.
Originally developed as a means of
planning the perfect agricultural
system in harmony with the forces
of nature, Feng Shui has been used
for centuries to improve the
physical surroundings in which
people live and to maintain
balance in their lives.
Those principles of Feng Shui that
are beneficial in the organization
of outdoor environments can also
be used in the design of areas
inside the house such as the
bedroom, which is considered to
be the most important room in
the house.
Finding the best option for the bed is
very important. The main rule of
bed positioning is never to have
the foot of the bed directly facing
the door. Ideally, you should
position the bed diagonally
opposite the door, with the head
against the wall, not a window.

Small tables on both sides (not

just one side) at the head of the
bed help maintain balance, but it
is best to avoid cluttering the
room with a lot of furniture. Let
air flow easily through the space.
Those large heavy wooden
wardrobes, often with boxes or
suitcases stored on top, are a
really bad idea. As they tower
over the bed, they can make the
sleeper feel vulnerable and
cause a disturbed sleep.

The bedroom should be kept as a

relaxing space and should not
be used for work. There should
be a feeling of lightness, not
seriousness in the air. Blue
curtains and bedcovers are more
suitable than brown ones. Soft
natural materials are
recommended. With Fen Shui in
your bedroom, you can create a
unique peaceful sanctuary
from the stress of
contemporary living.
(Adapted from Yule, G. 2006:110)

They can be used in the comparative degree.

GRADABLE
They can be used in the superlative degree.
GRADABLE
They cannot be premodified by very or extremely
NON-GRADABLE
They cannot be premodified by absolutely
GRADABLE
They can be premodified by very or extremely
GRADABLE
They can be premodified by absolutely
NON-GRADABLE
Classifying adjectives are generally _______________
NON-GRADABLE
Qualitative adjectives are generally _______________
GRADABLE
They sometimes show absolute manings
NON-GRADABLE

PRACTICE ACTIVITIES

clean
clever
cold
dirty
tasty
good
lovable
old
sure
long
interesting
angry

delicious
ancient
spotless
filthy
excellent
adorable
freezing
certain
brilliant
furious
fascinating
endless

clean
spotless
clever
brilliant
cold
freezing
dirty
filthy
tasty
delicious
good
excellent
lovable adorable
old
ancient
sure
certain
long
endless
interesting
fascinating
angry
furious

Her work is always very thorough. - Thorough? Its

meticulous !
Her house is pretty big. - Big? Its _________________!
You look slightly tired. - Tired? Im _________________ .
That film was rather bad. - Bad? It was _________________!
Its boiling hot. - Hot? Its _________________ !
Its extremely important to do this properly. - Important?
Its _____!
Isnt she quite beautiful? - Beautiful? Shes
_________________!
What he said was a bit silly. Silly? - It was
_________________!

Her work is always very thorough. - Thorough? Its

meticulous !
Her house is pretty big. - Big? Its immense!
You look slightly tired. - Tired? Im exhausted.
That film was rather bad. - Bad? It was awful!
Its boiling hot. - Hot? Its scorching!
Its extremely important to do this properly. Important? Its vital!
Isnt she quite beautiful? - Beautiful? Shes
stunning!
What he said was a bit silly. Silly? - It was absurd!

Her work is always very thorough. - Thorough? Its

meticulous !
Her house is pretty big. - Big? Its immense!
You look slightly tired. - Tired? Im exhausted.
That film was rather bad. - Bad? It was awful!
Its boiling hot. - Hot? Its scorching!
Its extremely important to do this properly. Important? Its vital!
Isnt she quite beautiful? - Beautiful? Shes
stunning!
What he said was a bit silly. Silly? - It was absurd!

Her work is always very thorough. - Thorough? Its

meticulous !
Her house is pretty big. - Big? Its immense!
You look slightly tired. - Tired? Im exhausted.
That film was rather bad. - Bad? It was awful!
Its boiling hot. - Hot? Its scorching!
Its extremely important to do this properly. Important? Its vital!
Isnt she quite beautiful? - Beautiful? Shes
stunning!
What he said was a bit silly. Silly? - It was absurd!

 Your prediction was accurate. You were

________________ right.
Its ________________ cold outside. In fact, its
________________ freezing.
Is it ________________ essential that I go out tonight?
Im ________________ tired.
Carol was ______________ furious with him for
leaving the baby _______________ alone.
If you follow the instructions, its ________________
simple to assemble the bookcase.
Are you ________________ certain that the
information is accurate?
You should go and see the exhibition in the
museum. Its ________________ interesting.
(Adapted from Powel, D. 2008:35)

http://www.ozdic.com/

The novel was praised by the judges for its original use of

language.
The train is late again. I wonder if the bad weather has
delayed it.
After Mary left University, she worked in the diplomatic
service for a number of years.
She was accused of giving false information during the trial.
I was given a painting done by my late uncle Simon.
The original fireplaces had been removed and replaced by
more modern ones.
Many of the people I met were quite sincere, but some
seemed false, so that I could never be sure if they meant
what they said.
When Mr. Lee was asked to comment on the governments
decision, he gave a diplomatic answer so as not to appear
critical.
(Adapted from Hewings, M. 2005:137)

FOLLOW UP ACIVITIES

Production of Sentences
common (as a non-gradable adjective)
conscious (as a gradable adjective)
popular (as a gradable and as a non-

gradable adjective, if possible)

dead (premodified by an intensifier)
gorgeous (premodified by an intensifier)
embarrassed (premodified by an intensifier)
quite (premodifying a gradable and a nongradable adjective, if possible)
Pretty (premodifying a positive adjective and
a negative adjective, if possible)

Metalanguage
Consolidation
absent
absolutely adjectives
classifies
classifying
comparative
comparative
completely
emphasize
extremely extremely gradable
gradable gradable gradable intensifiers
intensifiers
measurable
non-gradable
non-gradable
non-gradable
premodified
present
qualities
superlative
very very

Optional Further Practice

http://grammarpractice2012.wiggio.com
http://englishgrammarpractice.blogspot.com.
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