Gradable and ungradable adjectives

Adjectives describe a quality that something has. To describe variations in temperature, for instance, we can use hot or cold, which are gradable adjectives but to describe the limits of temperature we use boiling or freezing. These are ungradable adjectives.

Use adverbs to make adjectives weaker or stronger.

Adverbs with gradable adjectives – very, extremely, a bit, slightly

Adverbs with ungradable adjectives – absolutely, completely, totally, utterly.

Really is used with both.

Lesson by Tristan, teacher at EC Malta English school

• 1. Let's stay in tonight; it's _ freezing outside.
  
  very
  absolutely
  
  
• 2. I was _ devastated when I heard the news.
  
  very
  absolutely
  
  
• 3. This work of art is _ unique.
  
  totally
  a bit
  
  
• 4. It's _ important to have good friends.
  
  totally
  very
  
  
• 5. Her new dress is _ unusual.
  
  slightly
  really
  
  
• 6. Peter is _ angry with Sarah today.
  
  absolutely
  extremely
  
  
• 7. These photographs are very _.
  
  excellent
  good
  
  
• 8. David's new house is absolutely _.
  
  big
  enormous
  
  
• 9. The documentary is extremely _.
  
  fascinating
  interesting
  
  
• 10. I'm _ starving. What's for dinner?
  
  very
  really