Which term refers to adjectives that cannot be expressed in degrees?

Which term refers to adjectives that cannot be expressed in degrees?

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

Answer: (A)

Adjectives that cannot be expressed in degrees are non-gradable adjectives. They describe a quality in an absolute sense, so they don’t have comparative or superlative forms and aren’t used with typical degree modifiers. For example, words like perfect or unique convey a total, unvarying quality, so we don’t say “more perfect” or “less unique” in normal usage. By contrast, gradable adjectives describe qualities that can vary in intensity, so they take forms like “taller,” “tallest,” or modifiers such as “very” and “more.” The other broader terms don’t specifically capture the idea of fixed, non-scalar degree, which is why non-gradable adjectives is the best fit.

Adjectives that cannot be expressed in degrees are non-gradable adjectives. They describe a quality in an absolute sense, so they don’t have comparative or superlative forms and aren’t used with typical degree modifiers. For example, words like perfect or unique convey a total, unvarying quality, so we don’t say “more perfect” or “less unique” in normal usage. By contrast, gradable adjectives describe qualities that can vary in intensity, so they take forms like “taller,” “tallest,” or modifiers such as “very” and “more.” The other broader terms don’t specifically capture the idea of fixed, non-scalar degree, which is why non-gradable adjectives is the best fit.