Which term describes adjectives that cannot be intensified with very?

Which term describes adjectives that cannot be intensified with very?

• A. Non-gradable adjectives
• B. Gradable adjectives
• C. Intensifiable adjectives
• D. Descriptive adjectives

Answer: (A)

Adjectives can be placed on a scale or treated as absolute states. Some describe properties that can vary in degree, so we can say someone is very tall or extremely intelligent because height or intelligence can be measured along a continuum. Others express a complete, binary state that doesn’t have meaningful degrees, so adding a degree word like very doesn't fit naturally. When a property is absolute—such as being dead or perfect—the statement is already maximal or categorical, and speakers don’t typically intensify it with very. This category is called non-gradable adjectives, and that’s why it’s the best descriptor for adjectives that cannot be intensified with very.

Adjectives can be placed on a scale or treated as absolute states. Some describe properties that can vary in degree, so we can say someone is very tall or extremely intelligent because height or intelligence can be measured along a continuum. Others express a complete, binary state that doesn’t have meaningful degrees, so adding a degree word like very doesn't fit naturally. When a property is absolute—such as being dead or perfect—the statement is already maximal or categorical, and speakers don’t typically intensify it with very. This category is called non-gradable adjectives, and that’s why it’s the best descriptor for adjectives that cannot be intensified with very.